Whether it’s changing hair colour or switching faiths, sometimes truly amazing things come out of the most unexpected choices “Becoming a Muslim has made me a better person” Author and TV presenter Kristiane Backer, 46, lives in West London. “I converted to Islam 16 years ago, after a relationship with the Pakistani former cricketer Imran … Read more
The world’s oldest museum has no fewer than 6 million items spanning 1.8 million years of world civilization. The collection was started with the bequest of a physician and antiquarian, Sir Hans Sloane, in 1753. In the 18th and 19th centuries travellers and emissaries, such as Captain James Cook, Lord Elgin, Lord Curzon and Charles … Read more
2. Smell (Olfactory Sense) While the sensation of taste is limited to a few basic (and important) sensations, smell is a cornucopia of data. We’re wired to detect somewhere around 1,000 distinct compounds and are able to discern somewhere over 10,000 odors. Like taste, our sense of smell (olfaction) is based on sensory cells (chemoreceptors) … Read more
Art Treasures in the Palacio Real Palacio Real Floorplan Stradivarius Violins The priceless “Palace Quartet” (two violins, a viola and violoncello) was made in the 18th century by the world-famous luthier, Antonio Stradivari. Vertumnus and Pomona Tapestries These exquisite tapestries in the Gala Dining Room were made in Brussels by Willem Pannemaker in the mid-16th … Read more
Taste is the set of sensations picked up by taste buds on the tongue (gustatory sense), while smell is the set of sensations detected by the nose (olfactory sense). Even though much of what we commonly think of as taste is really smell, our perception of flavor is actually the result of the combination of … Read more
Madrid’s fabulous Royal Palace, inspired by Bernini’s designs for the Louvre in Paris, is one of Europe’s outstanding architectural monuments. More than half of the state apartments are open to the public, each sumptuously decorated with silk wall hangings, frescoes and gilded stucco, and crammed with priceless objects d’art. The palace’s setting is equally breathtaking. … Read more
Your child will now be a confident eater, and will be able to manage almost everything she’s offered, although she will probably start to exert her authority and have very specific likes and dislikes! She’ll enjoy being a part of family mealtimes
Funny-face Hamburgers Your own yummy burgers will be better than any fast food, and you and your children can have lots of fun decorating the burgers with silly faces. Or, serve the burgers more traditionally in buns. 15 minutes 6–10 minutes, plus pasta cooking NOTE 4 child portions 1 tbsp olive oil 1 large shallot, … Read more
Whether your toddler is allergic or has a specific diet for lifestyle or religious reasons, it is perfectly possible to present healthy, balanced meals. As long as you know where the potential nutritional shortfalls may be, you’ll have the knowledge you need to substitute from a cornucopia of goodies. Q: Are there any meat substitutes … Read more
Multivitamins? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends vitamin drops for all under-twos . It’s a good idea to continue to give your child a multivitamin and mineral tablet if he is a fussy eater, as it will contain a little of all of the nutrients he needs for growth and development. “Drops” may be your … Read more
Delay, difficulty, or disability? Understanding the difference Many children experience delays in reaching their milestones, and around five percent of children have some form of learning difficulty. If there are concerns about your child’s development, health professionals will use terms like “developmental delay” in your child’s early years. This does not always mean that your … Read more
As your toddler begins to exert her authority in all areas of her life, she will soon catch on to the idea that food is an emotive issue, and that she’ll get a good reaction if she refuses some foods, and demands others. Most toddlers experience periods of fussy eating; remain calm, and continue to … Read more
Q: My six-year-old son has a developmental delay. Does that mean he will always be behind? A: The term “developmental delay” is a confusing one for parents. It implies that skills your child has yet to acquire will eventually arrive—in the same way that a delayed train is annoyingly late, but definitely on its way. … Read more
Your growing toddler no longer needs to rely on his “baby” milk for the nutrients that his varied diet now offers, but he may still enjoy the comfort of regular feeds. Breastfeeding can continue for as long as you feel comfortable. Full weaning can be a slow process, and it’s best to go at your … Read more
Q: My parents told my son that if he touched his private parts, they would drop off. What should I do? A: The difference between generations in handling sexual development can be wide; it is now more clearly understood that curiosity about the body is a normal stage of development, and old anxieties and taboos … Read more
Q: My daughter says that she doesn’t want to eat meat. Is it OK for her to follow a vegetarian diet? A: Your daughter is beginning to make some of her lifestyle choices based on a wider view of the world rather than being driven solely by her own needs and wants. Talk this idea … Read more
Rough-and-tumble play Play-fighting, and very physical, active play, will increase during years 3–4. A lot of boys and some girls will go through this development phase, which is completely normal and does not mean your child is “violent.” Rough-and-tumble play helps children to learn their physical limits as well as gaining hands-on experience of handling … Read more
Q: I try to constantly praise my son to make sure his self-esteem is high. Is this the right thing to do? A: Getting the balance right with praise can be difficult to achieve. On the one hand, experts recommend that you acknowledge all your child’s positive behavior, while on the other hand, studies have … Read more
Your toddler is much more independent now and enjoys the company of other children. The transition from parallel play to cooperative play is happening steadily, although she will still need your help to manage her feelings when there is a disagreement with another child. “At this age, play is a wonderful time of make-believe and … Read more
It’s impossible not to love these sturdy little vestiges of another age, as they valiantly make their merry yet determined way up the city’s precipitous hills. Yet these San Francisco icons came perilously close to being completely scrapped in 1947, when a “progressive” mayor announced it was time for buses to take their place. An … Read more