Basic Fundamental Questions

1. What is Rest API

2. What are the different types of Cache

3. What are the principles that a class should follow

4. How are HTTPS calls authenticated

5. How does Azure AAD works

6. Define Singleton class

A brief about Montessori and Waldorf schools

 Montessori schools

Montessori provides a unique alternative to mainstream schooling. It has a student-centred approach to learning, with several progressive practices.

Mixed-age classrooms

In Montessori schools, there are mixed-age classrooms. There are often 3-year age groupings in preschool and elementary school. This can include toddler classes from birth to age 3, primary (or casa) classes for ages 3-6, and elementary classes for ages 6-9 and 9-12.  

Decentralized learning

In Montessori schools, students tend to move around class, work on their own tasks, and interact and work with peers. Teachers almost never provide lectures to the whole class. Instead, they observe, guide, and sometimes give brief lessons to students (either one-on-one or in small groups).

Freedom and flexibility

Students have a lot of freedom to choose tasks, projects, and learning materials. While teachers provide guidance, students can often choose work their sparks their interest and satisfies their curiosity.

Concrete learning

Kids work with a lot of hands-on material, such as manipulatives, blocks, tiles, and pink towers. Concrete learning is a major focus, especially in preschool and elementary school. In middle and high school, there’s a movement to more abstract learning.

Minimal pretend play

Pretend play is rarely encouraged, even in preschool. Task-oriented work is favoured over imaginative play. There are no dolls, dollhouses, pretend kitchens or houses, or dress-up clothes in class. Instead, there are real kitchens, real (child-sized) furniture, work tools, food, cooking utensils, and other practical objects for kids to work with.

Uninterrupted work time

Students are given at least one full uninterrupted work period of around three hours a day. Normally, this starts in elementary school. Uninterrupted work periods allow kids to pursue their chosen work for long periods of time, without distractions.

Character education

While academics are important, this is only part of the focus. Montessori schools aim to educate the whole child: their character, sense of self, and values. For instance, students learn to take care of themselves, each other, and their environment.

Minimal technology

Very little, if any, modern-day technology is used in most Montessori schools. This is especially true in the early years. Computers, tablets, whiteboards, TVs, and similar devices are rarely used in class.

Waldorf schools

The Waldorf school philosophy is student-centred. Like Montessori schools, Waldorf schools have many features that distinguish them from mainstream schools.

Individualized curriculum

In Waldorf schools, students aren’t forced into a one-size-fits-all curriculum. They have the freedom to work in a broad range of areas and pursue their own interests.

Whole child education

Waldorf doesn't just focus on core academics. The aim is to educate the whole child: “head, heart, and hands.” Waldorf teachers develop children’s aptitudes for thinking, feeling, and acting.

Delayed formal academics

Core academics starts later than in most mainstream schools. Kids aren’t taught core subjects, such as math, science, and reading, until at least grade 1.

Focus on creativity and the arts

Art and music are infused throughout the curriculum. Most subjects are taught through artistic media, including stories, visual arts, dance, music, and crafts.

Imaginative learning

Pretend and imaginative play is encouraged in preschool and kindergarten. There are lots of toys, art materials, and games in the classroom. Kids also spend lots of time playing outdoors. This is thought to promote imaginative learning and the development of social skills.

Practical learning

Up to grade 3, students do lots concrete and experiential learning. They take part in different practical tasks, like cooking, cleaning, and gardening. They also learn woodwork, handwork, and sewing.

Focus on nature

Students are given lots of natural materials. And environmental and outdoor education are a big focus. Kids learn to appreciate and value nature, in its full splendour.

Minimal technology

Most Waldorf schools don’t use technology such as TVs, computers, and tablets. Too much screen time, it’s thought, can stunt physical growth and decrease social interaction. This can interfere with social and cognitive Main differences between Montessori and Waldorf schools

Academics: Montessori schools focus more on core academics, at least in preschool. Waldorf schools normally don’t introduce core academics, at least formally, until grade 1 or 2.

 

Work and play: Montessori schools favour work over play. Even in preschool, Montessori educators tend to discourage pretend play (or at least not encourage it). Waldorf schools, meanwhile, make pretend play and imaginative activities a major focus, especially in preschool.

 

The arts: Waldorf schools infuse art and music throughout the curriculum. Music, drama, dancing, the visual arts, and other artistic media, are woven into many lessons. Many Montessori schools, on the other hand, focus less on the arts, music, and imaginative activities.

 

Nature: Both Waldorf and Montessori schools educate kids about nature and have outdoor activities. Waldorf schools focus more on this, though

Places to visit in Hyderabad

 

1. Golconda Fort, Qutub shahi tombs, Hatiyan Jhad baobab tree(600 year old giant banyan tree)
2. Charminar, chowmahalla palace
3. Tank bund, boat ride to buddha statue.
4. Boating in durgam cheruvu (Evening times)
5. Khajaguda hiking, lake & statue
6. Ramoji film city
7.  Ms Maqta art district

8.  Jagannath temple, birla mandir

9.  Nehru zoo park

10. Salar jung Museum
11. Shilparamam

Introducing solids - 6 months baby

WHEN TO START SOLIDS

1. Start when child is developmentally ready. Till then offer only bm /fm.

Criteria for solid readiness:

Child can sit with support and hold head steady

- Has lost tongue thrust: does not push out food

2. Most health authorities (eg WHO, NHS) recommend waiting till the completion of 6 months (180 days) before starting solids.

3. Some signs that can be mistaken for a child being ready for solid foods:

- chewing fists

- waking in the night when they have previously slept through

- wanting extra milk feeds

4. Till 1 year bm/fm is the main source of nutrition and solids are complimentary

HOW TO OFFER SOLIDS

5. Child should be seated in upright position for feeding - Can be in your lap or booster chair or high chair. Lying down or in inclined position increase the risk of choking and not recommended #twupright

FREQUENCY

6. At 6 months, start with one meal.

- Increase meals slowly to offer 2-3 meals by 8m.

- By 1 year, child should be offered 3 meals + 1 or 2 snacks

7. Offer solids around 30-45 min after breastfeeding or 1-1.5 hours after formula feed. A very hungry child expects feed and might reject solids. This ensures that BM/FF feeds are not dropped in favour of solids. #twresponsivefeeding

WHAT TO OFFER

8. Infant food should be rich in micronutrients like iron and zinc. Also include fat which is required for brain development. #twiron

9. Can start with steamed veggies, porridges, grains, lentils. Also check #twvegfirstweaning.

10. Food should be thick enough to not fall off the spoon #twsolidconsistency. Runny food lacks enough calories and additionally risks displacing the much more nutritious BM/FF.

11. Pureeing is not mandatory. Though babies do not have teeth, their gums are strong enough to bite. It's fine to start with lightly mashed food or textured food. #twnoteeth

12. There is no need to add BM or formula to food. We recommend keeping food and feeds separate.

13. Gradually move on to family food minus salt, sugar and less spices by 7-8 months #twnosaltsugar #twnosalt #twnosugar #twfamilypot

14. Allow baby to touch and explore the food being fed from day 1. It could be a preloaded spoon of puree or finger food.

15. Babies are not habituated to eating added salt/sugar unless exposed, so do not worry about food being tasteless or bland. Use other spices to compensate. All spices apart from salt/sugar can be used, please use discretion with chilly and such. Avoid poppy seeds or nutmeg in large amounts #twspicelist

16. Do not always offer alternatives to food, but provide one safe option if child seems to be picky about food #twdor

17. Don't give animal milk as a drink, but using dairy products in food is fine in limitations #twdairy #twiron

18. Also see #twfingerfood #twfingerfoodsize #twgaggingchoking

ALLERGIES

19. Common allergens

- dairy (milk products)

- egg

- soya

- nuts

- some seafood

20. Latest allergy recommendations suggest introducing all allergens early (by 8m) . Delaying allergens worsens allergies. Offering the same food for 3 days (or 5 days) is not required as per the latest recommendations. Be slow and careful with known allergens, otherwise new food can be offered everyday. Offer new food in the early part of the day to check reactions #twnuts #twallergies

WHAT NOT TO OFFER

21. It's not recommended to give:

- Honey

- Choking hazards (see #twchokinghazard)

- Any form of sugar (sugar, jaggery, palm sugar, palm jaggery) #twnosugar

- Any form of salt #twnosalt

- Liquid foods (juices, soups, dal water, rice water, runny purees and porridges) – they displace bm and can cause malnutrition risk #twsolidconsistency

- processed baby foods like cerelac and biscuits #twprocessedfood

- do not offer food lying down #twupright

HOW MUCH TO OFFER

22. Baby decides the quantity. Look for subtle signs of rejection like turning head, pursing lips #twresponsivefeeding

23. Do not resort to distractions or force baby to eat more #tw_distraction_feeding

WATER

24. Limit water intake to few sips after meals. Can be offered with spoon, straw cup or open cup. Hard/soft spout cups are not recommended for prolonged use #twhydration #twcups

CSS tricks

 

You are the story you tell yourself

 

Ladakh Trip

Ladakh was on my bucket list since couple of years now!! I have heard lot of nice stories from my colleagues who went for biking trip and other adventurous stuff they have done and I too wanted to explore. 

I had went to Rajasthan trip and pinged Arnab, my college friend if he was in Delhi as I had 5 hours of layover. This reminded him of me and after couple of weeks, he pinged me asking if I'm interested in Ladakh trip. I jumped it and asked my college best buddy to join in too! All things fell into place and the two couples booked flight tickets couple of weeks before the trip! 

Here are few pictures and small details from the trip which you can find it useful while planning yours!! 

Itinerary:

Day 01 : 

Arrive at Leh Reach Leh by flight; Drive to Leh (5 min); rest, acclimatize and walk around;

 

Outside our stay at Leh

Day 02: Leh to Hunder (Nubra valley) via Khardung La After breakfast, drive to Nubra Valley via Khardung La. This pass has one of the highest motorable roads in the world. After spending some time at Khardung La, we proceed to Nubra. On the way, we can visit Diskit monastery and the giant Maitreya Buddha statue. Enjoy Camel Safari in the late afternoon. Overnight stay will be in Nubra. 

Butter tea, a very famous local tea

Enjoying the view at Nubra Valley @ camel safari

Day 03: Hunder to Turtuk and back to Hunder We drive to the beautiful Balti village of Turtuk. The LOC is quite close to this place and if allowed at that moment, we can visit a border check-post. We drive back along the beautiful valley to Hunder. 

In the lanes of the Balti village

At the northern most point of India, Thang Village

Day 04: Nubra to Pangong via Shyok We will start the day following the same route towards Leh till we reach Khalsar. From the Agyam bridge, we will take the left route which leads us to the villages of Shyok and Durbuk. The route is rarely used for commuting so traffic is very sparse. After Durbuk, we take left towards Tangtse and follow the traditional route. We drive further to reach Pangong Lake, one of the most beautiful natural brackish lakes in the Himalayas. After spending some time walking and exploring beside the lake, we drive further on the road along the lake. Our stay will be at the small lakeside village of Merak. 

Day 05: Pangong Lake to Tso Moriri On this day, we embark on a journey towards another high-altitude and more offbeat saltwater lake, Tso Moriri (higher than Pangong in altitude). The route goes through some of the most remote parts of Ladakh with villages such as Chushul and Nyoma. Keep an eye out for some wildlife. Our destination, Korzok is a quaint village with a rustic look located beside the lake. 

Day 06: Explore the region of Tso Moriri This entire day is for you to relax, rejuvenate and explore the village and area of the highest saltwater lake of India, Tso Moriri. 

Day 07: Tso Moriri to Leh After breakfast, we start our journey for Leh. On the way we visit Hemis Monastery, Thiksey Monastery and Shey Palace. 

Day 08: Leh – local sights Visit Leh palace, Shanti Stupa, Leh market and Hall of Fame. 

Maitreya Monastery, on the way back to Leh 

Such a big statue of Maitreya Buddha inside the monastery

Day 09: Departure from Leh After breakfast, get transferred to Leh Airport for boarding your return flight.