Thank you for the enjoyable list of DIY activities and projects featured in the September cover story. During the lockdown my daughter and I tried quilting and together made a beautiful wall piece for our home.

This activity helped us bond emotionally and also develop teamwork skills. Our next joint DIY activity will be PW’s step-by-step guide to designing a terrace/balcony garden.

Beena Varghese, Kochi

Debate skills advantage

Thank you for the excellent essay ‘Many benefits of learning debate skills’ (PW September).

I was an avid debater in school and college and constantly encourage my children to participate in debate competitions. There is more to debate than mere public speaking. Debate is the culmination of critical thinking, data analysis, research and excellent presentation skills.

Many parents are under the misconception that debating will make children argumentative. This is incorrect. The art of debate trains children to think critically and develop logical and well-reasoned arguments. It boosts their self-confidence, teaches them to keep cool in the toughest situations and verbal spats. It also develops leadership skills and the art of persuasion which is critical for success in personal relationships as well as in workplaces.

Kudos to PW for highlighting the importance of children learning soft skills which are crucial to developing well-rounded children.

Mihali K., Bengaluru

Child-friendly recipes please!

I love the Recipes section in ParentsWorld! I was hoping that in the next issue you can put together some simple recipes that children can cook on their own. With children at home because of the schools closure this is a good time to encourage them to learn cooking – an essential life skill.

Sreelatha Mathur, Gurgaon

Non-tech activities healthier

Your cover story ‘Beat the lockdown blues with DIY activities’ (PW September) provided some great ideas for at-home family activities.

With most parents still fearful of sending children for outdoor play and sports activities, it’s become a challenge for parents to keep children engaged in non-tech activities. Computer/video/mobile games is an easy way to keep children busy and relaxed but as you rightly observe excessive on-screen time can damage children’s physical and mental well-being. Therefore, it’s important to engage them in hands-on creative activities such as gardening, painting, paper art, etc.

There are also hundreds of interesting DIY activities for children of varying aptitudes and abilities on the Internet. Parents can google and research the most suitable DIY activities for their children.

Dimple Singh, Ludhiana

Timely & informative

The essay ‘Breastfeeding during Covid-19’ by Dr. Ketan Bharadva was timely and informative. Many new mothers are worried and uncertain about breastfeeding during the pandemic and possible transmission of the Covid-19 virus through breast milk.

There are several traditional myths associated with breastfeeding and many people of the older generation including my mother-in-law and mother, believe breast milk isn’t sufficient nutrition for infants. However, Dr. Bharadva did well to bust all these myths and highlight the value of breast milk, and the safety and protection it provides infants from infections and viruses.

This is a confusing time for new mothers as the Covid-19 virus is still evolving and its effects on infants and young children is unknown. Thank you for a comprehensive and enlightening column. I have a seven month-old baby and would to love read similar stories on infant care and development.

Neetu Thomas, Mumbai