The Express Tribune hi five - February 1

Ms FEBRUARY 1, 2015

ISSUE NO. 137

The ideal schoolstarting age page

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Dental hygiene 101 page

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inside En vogue —

Saira Rizwan’s fantasy creations

Domestic goddess — Lamb chops for meat-lovers

Section In-Charge: Sarah Munir Sub-Editors: Amna Hashmi Nisma Chauhan Feedback: women@tribune.com.pk

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The creative Muzi Sufi

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The buzz

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, FEBRUARY 1, 2015

MsT looks into early childhood education to determine when our children are ready for school

By Saif Asif Khan | Design by Talha khan Anum* is barely over her fourth birthday celebrations and her parents, Shumaila* and Adeel*, have already planned an overnight stay at one of Karachi’s most prestigious schools to secure her an admission. “The queue tends to build up fast and even if you reach at seven in the morning, there will be 20 people before you,” explains Shumaila.

“People often ask their domestic staff to wait in line but I have heard the school doesn’t appreciate that. Therefore, Adeel and I are actually planning on taking our sleeping bags and camping at the gates.”

Shumaila and Adeel are hardly the only parents employing such extreme measures for their child’s education. Saadia Pasha* gave up her entire maternity leave to search for a montessori that would enroll her toddler. “Spaces in the best schools get filled and even though my son Ali wouldn’t be starting school for another two years, I just had to ensure his name was entered somewhere.” In fact, one can credit Saadia for having waited for Ali to be born before springing into action. Some like Maheen Ali* were at it during pregnancy!

“Thankfully, I secured a teaching position at this school during the time and they gave preference to my unborn child,” admits Maheen. “Otherwise, my son would never have found a spot in a school where couples register themselves even before conceiving!”

Unfortunately, these three mothers are amongst thousands of parents who jump into the rat race for their toddlers’ education upon the very mention of the word ‘baby.’ They begin to run amok for forms, open days and interviews themselves and even send their children for tuition or grooming classes before the youngsters have uttered their first word. “Children Children gengen erally start nursery at the age of three and grade school by five,” says Anila Weldon, founder of WeldonMoms, a support group for expecting, new and existing mothers. “But the obsession with securing admission begins even earlier – at 14 to 16 months. ”

The fear that your child will get left behind The underlying idea behind this obsession is that attending a good montessori will be a child’s gateway to a good preparatory school and finally, a good grade school. One can say this is a vicious cycle without which most parents feel their child will be left behind.

“The fear is real, especially for parents who wish to send their child to a particular school,” explains Anila. “But a child will certainly get into a school, considering that there are so many. It just might not be one of your choice.”

Anila’s response, however, seems to imply that parents are making mountains out of molehills. Grandmother Sultana Khurshid agrees with Anila and says that, “At times, I think the children are just subconsciously used by parents to outdo one another. It is a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy — everyone just wants to be the best at everything, including this.”

Why are some parents so overwrought with their children’s education?

Exactly what it is that has bred this culture remains a mystery. When children of the world start formal education at the age of five or six, why is it that parents in Pakistan are sending their offspring to school even earlier?

At the very basic level, this could be indicative of a demographic shift which has increased the percentage of working women in our society. Gone are the days when a woman’ss field of responsibility was confined to the four walls of her home. “Women of woman stepping out and earning money, alongside their male counterparts,” says today are steppi Samina Aleem*. “In the yesteryears, they would remain indoors and be grandmother Sa Samina also cites the rise of the nuclear family as one of the reasons homemakers.” S

School starting ages around the world Four: Northern Ireland Five: United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Malta, Netherlands, Mauritius and Pakistan Six: Most of Europe, Costa Rica, Haiti, United States, Oman and Morrocco Seven: Afghanistan, Niger, China, Eastern Europe and Sweden SOURCES: THEDAILYMAIL.CO.UK AND DATA.WORLDBANK.ORG/INDICATOR/SE.PRM.AGES

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THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, FEBRUARY 1, 2015

Children are children and we should let them be just that. You never get childhood back, whether it’s yours or your children’s, so why complicate it unnecessarily?

Home-maker and grandmother Sultana Khurshid for the many day-cares, montessoris and kindergartens that have sprung up of late. “The concept of joint families is diminishing so if a mother is going back to work post childbirth, who will look after the child?” questions Samina. One could leave the child with a maid but proper institutions can provide a safe, secure and educational environment where a child can grow and also play with other children.

Ayesha Alim, a certified montessori teacher, highlights another ‘convenience factor’ that encourages parents to literally dump their child at school. “Sometimes, we get children whose mother tongue isn’t Urdu or whose parents are not conversant in English,” shares Ayesha. “These parents approach us to ensure that their child learns English properly and has an acceptable Urdu pronunciation.” No doubt, parents wish to raise well-behaved and wellspoken children to boost their confidence and chances of success in the modern world.

Is it too early to send your child to school?

While some might consider it cruel to subject children to a stringent lifestyle at such a young age, there is some scientific evidence that supports the concept. According to paediatrician Dr Sakina Rizvi, during the first five or six years of life, a child’s brain undergoes enormous change. “Parents must provide an environment conducive to these changes and for most children, that environment is available only in the classroom. This is especially true for children who hail from an under-privileged background.” Saadia, for example, admits that ideally — she would have kept Ali at home till he turned four as she is a stay-at-home mother. “But in retrospect, I’m glad I didn’t otherwise he wouldn’t have been attending one of Karachi’s top schools today. It was all worth the hassle.”

Anila, on the other hand, has a different approach to early childhood education. “During the early years, children need to play more rather than be regimented — that is how they learn. Also, they learn more at home, so if you are sending your child to school for early learning, your objective isn’t being met.” Anila also disagrees with the idea that early enrollment into a good school will breed good children. “Sending a two-year-old to school so that they learn English or good manners is not the right motivation.”

Unfortunately, the debate isn’t as black and white as we would like. Within the spheres of learning at home and at school, there are multitudinal smaller issues to consider. Back in September 2013, about 130 educationists from the UK launched the ‘Too Much Too Soon’ campaign to advocate the extension of informal, play-based learning and to delay the start of formal education.

They did so via a letter published in The Daily Mail, calling for the national school-starting age to be changed from four to seven, in line with other European countries enjoying higher academic achievement and child well-being.

The letter was released based on numerous studies that supported its claims. According to David Whitebread, a researcher from the faculty of education at the University of Cambridge and also one of the signatories of the letter, there have been many studies that have resulted in superior learning and motivation arising from playful learning, as opposed to instructional. Nueroscientific research has indicated that play-based activity stimulates synap-

tic growth in the frontal cortex of the brain, responsible for better mental functioning. This would lend credence to Dr Sakina’s idea that the young brain is more absorbent but it also highlights the issue of formal versus informal education. Other studies cited by David have proved that physical and imaginative activity supports children in developing emotional and social skills which are crucial during the early years. So perhaps it would be okay to enroll your child in a playgroup early but delay their entry into grade school?

Within educational research, most studies considered by the campaign have shown superior motivation and higher academic and practical achievements by children who attended play-based pre-school programmes, especially those from disadvantaged families. The campaign also cites a study from New Zealand which compared two groups of children: those who joined schools at five and seven. The results showed no difference in the children’s reading abilities but the ones who started at five had poor comprehension of the text and a negative attitude towards reading altogether.

During the first five or six years of life, a child’s brain undergoes enormous change. “Parents must provide an environment conducive to these changes and for most children, that environment is available only in the classroom Paediatrician Dr Sakina Rizvi Internationally, the debate as to the ideal school-starting age is gaining momentum and many countries, within Europe in particular, are delaying the legal age requirements. This makes one wonder if this change would be beneficial for local schools in the long run. “If my child gets into a particular school, I boast to everyone about it which generates publicity for the school,” explains Anila. “If he doesn’t get in, I crib about it and still generate publicity.” So while there may be mixed verdicts for parents and children, the school emerges as the indisputable winner.

Regardless, Samina seems to resent this hype regarding children’s education, claiming that she barely sees her granddaughter anymore.

“At just four, the poor kid goes to kindergarten, followed by grooming classes to prepare her for a good grade school.” Sultana also agrees and says that, “Education is indeed important but turning your child into a robot with thousands of things on their schedule is simply not justified.

Children are children and we should let them be just that. You never get childhood back, whether it’s yours or your children’s, so why complicate it unnecessarily?” *Names have been changed for privacy

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En vogue

Saira Rizwan new bridalwear will make you feel like a princess Designer: Saira Rizwan Collection: Shalimar: 2015 Couture Location: INH Automotive Specialists, Lahore Photographer: Muzi Sufi Hair & Makeup: Nabila’ Model: Rubab Ali

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, FEBRUARY 1, 2015

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, FEBRUARY 1, 2015

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Lifestyle

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, FEBRUARY 1, 2015

A guide to dental hygiene

By Tehmina Khalid | Design: Talha khan It is often said that wearing a big smile is your best accessory. Not only is smiling an effortless and inexpensive way to transform your appearance, it is also an expression of joy from one person to another that transcends all language barriers. A smile can speak volumes about one’s feelings, without them having to say a word.

But in order to maintain its glory, one must realise that their smile needs some care first. Unfortunately, most of us find it difficult to simply brush our teeth twice a day, let alone floss or visit the dentist regularly. Over the past few years, awareness regarding dental health has made people much more conscious of their smiles but they still have a long way to go before they know the right way to keep their mouths clean. Here are some common myths regarding oral hygiene — categorised into three groups — that most of us wrongly believe in. Overcoming these will take you one step closer to a healthier smile and a healthier you.

When simply brushing twice a day is not enough While it is indeed a great thing if you are committed to the ‘twice a day, every day’ rule, brushing alone cannot ensure oral hygiene no matter how fancy your brush and toothpaste might be. In fact, most of us probably aren’t even brushing properly! Most dentists recommend holding the brush at a 45 degree angle to your gums and moving it back and forth in short strokes for effective cleaning. You must also cover the inner, chewing areas of your mouth and not just the outer surfaces to eliminate all germs and food particles. Make sure the head of your brush isn’t too large and the bristles aren’t too hard lest they damage the gums. On average, a proper brushing session should take about three to four minutes, enough to spur blood circulation throughout the mouth.

Nonetheless, it is best to compliment your brushing routine with professional cleaning and scaling for the best results. Scaling refers to the dental process whereby dentists remove tartar, calculus and food debris from around your teeth and below the gum level.

Sadly, many people are unaware of scaling and often confuse it with whitening.

In reality, whitening is an aesthetic procedure that brightens the teeth with special bleaching agents while scaling is used to prevent or treat oral conditions like gingivitis or periodontitis. It is also believed that scaling is harmful to the tooth enamel but dentists recommend it every three to four months for people with poor oral hygiene as it can clean places inaccessible to even the finest of toothbrushes.

Avoiding scaling allows unwanted materials to accumulate on and around the teeth and gums and can lead to bleeding, swelling, redness, pain, tender gums, bad breath, tooth mobility and even the loss of teeth. Therefore, it is important for you to invest in at least two scaling sessions a year to maintain a healthy mouth.

Go the extra mile for a beautiful smile Even though it might seem tedious and bothersome, it is crucial for you to make up a daily dental regime to keep your mouth in check.

Brushing must be followed by flossing and perhaps a mouthwash to keep your breath fresh. The correct way to floss is to secure the thread tightly between your index fingers and slide is slowly between the teeth, right down to gum level. All remaining particles or calculus lodged in there will surface with the thread when it is removed.

Although we tend to be complacent about it, our diets plays an important role in our overall dental health as acidic foods and beverages breed bacteria and reduce the pH value of the mouth. For example, people with proper water intake tend to have better oral hygiene as water encourages the production of saliva — the natural cleanser of the mouth. Foods rich in saturated sugars, such as chocolate or soft drinks, also render the teeth vulnerable to cavities and tooth aches. Similarly, habits like smoking and drinking can also impact the mouth adversely. In fact, their impact isn’t restricted to bad teeth or dental infections alone — it might be a precursor for mouth and neck cancer as well! Sound, personal hygiene habits, coupled with regular visits to your dentist can save one from having to worry about dental problems. and their smile losing its charm.

Extractions Ext tra – A dental nightmare or blessing in disguise?

Extraction refers to the removal of unwanted/damE aged teeth, the need for which is indicated when the ag tooth cannot be saved via restorative treatments. You toot may also need an extraction to prevent crowding or m impaction in the jaw.

Many dentists in Pakistan have to face an onslaught slaug ht of o baseless accusations whenever they prescribe an extraction, extracction especially regarding the connection between our teeth and and eyes. ey Many patients wrongly believe that extractions cause partial partia al or complete visual impairment and therefore, would rather continue contin iin pain than have a problematic tooth removed. On the contrary, the dental and optic nerves follow separate pathways and an extraction cannot affect vision in any way.

Of course, every dentist’s top priority is to save the tooth via root canals, fillings or dental crowns, but at times, extraction might be the best way forward. A few moments of pain can spare one from a variety of dental troubles and one can also see a prosthodontic for replacement options like dentures, bridges and implants. Bear in mind that an empty dental socket can lead to resorption of the surrounding bone, a compromised bite and gradual misalignment of adjacent teeth so it is important to revisit your doctor if you have had an extraction before.

Brushing in the morning vs brushing at night Contrary to popular belief, brushing at night is much more important and beneficial to the human mouth than in the morning. This is because at night, our mouth remains closed the entire time that we are asleep, giving bacteria and other harmful microorganisms the opportunity to initiate cavities or decay. Brushing in the morning simply eliminates bad breath while night-time dental rituals ward off all potential problems.

Domestic goddess 7

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, FEBRUARY 1, 2015

By Madiha Hamid

Tips for purchasing the right lamb chops Lunch, dinner or high-tea ... these succulent chops are a must on the menu!

For the meat: • Lamb chops 1 kg • Vinegar 1 cup • Water 2 cups or as required • Ginger garlic paste 1 tsp • Salt to taste For the coating: • Bread crumbs 2 cups • Eggs 2

In general, lamb chops can vary in flavour and tenderness a great deal, depending on the part of the lamb which they have been cut from. This might include the shoulder, ribs, loins or legs.

Chops are usually sold with the bone and in a clear pink to red colour.

Dark purple or deep red meat indicate less tenderness and a relatively stronger flavour, which is more suitable for highly seasoned and timeconsuming recipes. The most tender and expensive chops usually come from the ribs or loins and should be cooked quickly, preferably using dry heat methods like grilling. These should also be at least one inch in thickness. A word of warning though: you must be careful not to overcook the chops lest they become dry, tasteless and slightly grey in shade. A little bit of the pink hue should remain even after the meat has been cooked. Also, it is advisable not to marinate rib or loin chops for too long as exposure to acids can cause the meat to become mushy.

In comparison, shoulder chops are less tender, cheaper and although they contain more fat, the shoulder muscles have several ‘sections’ which make the chop appear slightly odd. If you still prefer these, you can tenderise the meat by marinating or cooking on the stove but shoulder chops are best baked or simmered, as in a curry. Leg chops are the largest and meatiest variety of chops and are great for grilling or broiling as well.

Method Cooking the lamb chops: • Cook the lamb chops in a pressure cooker or deep pan.

• Add vinegar and water, enough for the chops to be covered completely.

• Mix ginger, garlic and salt with the meat and allow it to cook until it is cooked inside out.

• Add 1 tbsp of oil and fry the cooked lamb chops for two to three minutes.

• Once the chops have been fried, remove them from the stove and let them rest for five to 10 minutes.

Note: The cooking time varies, depending upon the quality of the meat being used.

The aim is to cook it until it becomes tender. You may add more water if needed but be careful not to overcook the chops lest they become rubbery. The water should have dried out completely by the end.

Coating and frying the lamb chops: • Prepare the coating by blending leftover bread and corn flakes in a food processor.

Place the crumbs onto a flat plate and spread them out evenly.

• In a small bowl, beat two eggs and add salt and pepper to the mixture.

• Dip each chop in the egg and coat it with the crumbs, making sure all sides are covered completely.

• Once the chops have been coated, fry them on medium heat until they become golden-brown in colour. Remember that the chops are already cooked so you only need to fry them just enough to let the colour of the crumbs change.

• Serve the chops warm with a side of salad or potato wedges.

Microwavable Potato Wedges Nothing compliments a hearty meat dish like a good serving of veggies to go with it. Try this recipe for crispy potato wedges that taste just like baked potatoes but can be prepared in the microwave. Addiction guaranteed!

Ingredients:

Method

• Medium-sized baking potato (unpeeled) 1 • Parmesan cheese (grated) 1 tsp • Vegetable oil 1 tsp • Paprika 1/4 tsp • Salt to taste

• Cut the potato into eight, long wedges and place the pieces onto a flat plate.

• Coat the wedges with the paprika, salt, oil and seasoning and cook them in the microwave for about four to six minutes on high heat.

• Turn the wedges around once in between to make sure all sides are cooked.

• Once done, sprinkle parmesan cheese onto the warm potatoes and serve immediately.

Woman of the week 8

Hanging out at sunset.

On vacation with my husband.

Photographer

My family.

Celebrity confessions These bold confessions made by our favourite celebrities made us realise that they are human too

No matter what age we are, everyone has that one favourite celebrity they are especially fond of and look up to. Sometimes, the crazy fan obsessions we had as teenagers last well beyond our youth. At other times, we grow out of them.

But what we fail to do is recognise these celebrities as fellow human beings. Perhaps it is a function of the fact that we only get to see them through the rose-tinted glasses of the media but we often forget to remember that even, celebrities are not spared from everyday struggles life has to offer. In fact, we were shocked when our favourite A-lister Cameron Diaz spoke of something as common as ageing and wrinkles. But thanks to technology and social networking websites like Twitter and Instagram, we now have a more personal connection with idols, which in turn, use these platforms as a means to share their real, human issues. Take a look at our list of bold confessions made by some popular celebrities that not only prove they are human but also provide hope to those suffering from the same problems.

Deepika Padukone (Actor) Everyone’s favourite star, Deepika Padukone recently made waves across Bollywood by admitting that she has been suffering from depression and anxiety issues for most of her acting career. According to reports, it all began back in 2004 when the starlet fainted due to exhaustion and realised overworking was a cause of concern. In fact, Deepika told The Hindustan Times that she was struggling during the shooting of her latest movie Happy New Year and sought the help of psychologist Anna Chandy to get through. “There is shame and stigma attached to talking about depression. In fact, one in every four people suffers from it,” said Deepika who claims to value life much more following her counselling sessions.

Kalki Keochlin (Actor) Although the outspoken star never speaks about her own life in detail, Kalki told NDTV last year that she was sexually abused as a child.

Since then, she has become an activist against Child Sex Abuse (CSA) and hopes to eradicate it via proper sex education in schools. “I think sometimes it’s important to speak about it, break the silence; other times it’s important to have a place to go to where you can trust Oprah Winfrey (Businesswom- somebody, be it a psychiatrist, a an, TV personality) family member, or an organisation.

During the David Letterman Distin- The problem is we don’t have these guished Professional Lecture and trusted areas to go to.”

Workshop Series 2012, multi-award winner Oprah Winfrey revealed a traumatic experience from her past: she was raped at the age of nine. Unwilling to let her troubles get to her, Oprah shared that her troubled childhood inspired her to work hard and empathise with people in her life. In one of her most popular quotes, she inspires us by saying, “Everyone is looking for that validation. I know what it feels like to not be wanted... you can use it as a stepping stone to build great empathy for people.”

Lady Gaga (Singer) Back in 2012, the controversial pop singer, known for her bold fashion, revealed that she had been struggling with bulimia since she was a teenager by posting old pictures captioned “bulimic and anorexic since 15.” Gaga has now overcome the disorder completely and urges her fans to be “proud at any size.”

In fact, last year when another picture she posted was criticised, she responded saying ‘I’d rather be fat than shallow.”

Ranbir Kapoor (Actor) After much media speculation about his relationship with Deepika Padukone, Bollywood’s very own chocolate boy Ranbir Kapoor accepted the infidelity charges put on him. In a 2011 interview, he admitted to have cheated on Deepika and agreed that infidelity is a deal breaker for a relationship as it takes all the trust away. “You realise it now, when you grow up and value it more. Why be committed to someone when you can’t be committed?” he said.