Monday, January 1, 2001		Kids chat

Print your own calendar

Happy New Year to all our friends and welcome to the Kids Chat.

Windy: Hey guys, New Year of the new millennium has just arrived and we have lots and lots to do.

Fluppy: Yeah, even I have been hearing stuff like this but what I don’t follow is how does everybody come to know it’s a New Year. And what exactly is a year and who decides when the year should begin or end? Is it a festival?

Cliparti: Year is the time the Earth takes to complete one revolution around the Sun. As it completes the circle we say it is the end of one year and beginning of another. So it is common and same for all of us living on the earth, although it may vary by a few hours at different parts of the world yet basically it is the same for all.

Windy: Just as birthdays are celebration of another year of existence, New Year is the celebration of the earth’s another revolution around the sun.

Fluppy: Okay, so we celebrate the beginning of the earth’s next circle.

Windy: Yes, but it is not just fun time. There is also a tradition of making new resolutions every year.

Cliparti: Hmm. You resolve to do one good thing each year that would help in making you a better person every successive year. Basically, it is like setting up goals for the New Year.

Fluppy: Okay. What other traditions are there?

Cliparti: Like every occasion, you exchange cards and mementos.

Fluppy: I will send e-greetings. You’ve told me earlier how can I make and send cards. Tell me where I can learn to make mementos.

Cliparti: At http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/-newyear.htm you will find loads of ideas to choose from. You can make custom coasters or New Year’s CD banner or New Year’s party hat. Exchange these with your friends or gift it to family members.

Windy: One wonderful thing that you can do is making a New Year calendar.

Fluppy: Wow! That’s brilliant. Everybody would need a calendar. But I don’t know which day would fall on what date.

Windy: Hey, you don’t need to know it. All you need is the address of this lovely Web site. Go to www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/newyear/index.htm. Here you will find many printable 2001 calendars. You can have as many pictures you want. What’s more it has lovely other crafts ideas in store for you. It also has a hobby section dealing with cooking, fitness, games, sports and travel. In brief, a good time-pass for your long long holidays.

Cliparti: Yeah, these holidays are perfect time to try some of these craft ideas.

www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/newyear/index.htm has some wonderful ideas for as young as age 2+ or age 3+.

At http://www.janbrett.com/2000_calendar/2000_calendar_main.htm you will come across 12 artwork pages and 12 monthly grids. And you can print it out or e-mail it to your friend.

Windy: There is this great activity idea place at http://www.123child.com/winter/newyear.htm. Here you can learn to make paper party hats or bells or bell rings. Then there are various New Year games and songs for kids. There is also a dramatic play that you can enact with friends for fun.

Cliparti: Billy Bear’s playground is a perfect place to visit on New Year. You will find a refreshing New Year’s desktop wallpaper and can play online New Year’s jigsaw puzzle. Billy Bear will give you lots of suggestions on how to decide for the New Year’s resolutions. Then of course you can make yourself a calendar and print colour book. There are lovely New Year’s baby games and Y2K Tic Tac Toe games.

Fluppy: This sounds fun. Where can I trace the Billy Bear?

Cliparti: Log on to www.billybear4kids.com/holidays/newyears/fun.htm and play with him on his playground.

Fluppy: Gosh! I didn’t know there was so much we could do for the New Year.

Windy: Okay, so what are you planning to do now?

Fluppy: Oh, I will make cards, crafts, and some calendars and do some partying with friends.

Windy: Hey, what about the resolution?

Fluppy: Oh, I forgot about that.

Windy: I know you have a habit of forgetting difficult things.

Fluppy: Actually I am quite perfect. So you see I don’t need to take up any resolutions.

Windy: My, My, look who is saying that! You are a bundle of flaws, which need to be corrected not each year, but I guess each month. So I suggest you should take up some monthly resolutions.

Cliparti: Hey Windy, how about resolving not to tease Fluppy?

Windy: No, I would never do that. Life would be so boring if I stopped teasing Fluppy.

Cliparti: That means, Fluppy makes your life interesting?

Fluppy: God, I cannot believe my ears!

Windy: Hey, I never said that.

Cliparti: But nevertheless you meant it. And it is sure a nice way to begin the New Year. And I hope this New Year brings lots of happiness to both you and all our friends who join us weekly at this kids chat.

— Ira Verma