3-2-1 Tuesdays with Ms Niv

Issue #268, 26th August 2025

When you move school/home/city/country, what attitude do you take with you?

Are you curious about the new place, approach it with the thought of learning new things and take it as a way of moving onward and forward or are you anxious about the move, think that you might not be able to learn the skills needed to cope in a new enviornment and want to take your memories and materials from your current place to the new one to make it same as your earlier one?

How do you start over?

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Three Images of the Week

Two Thoughts of the Week

“Seedlings of life sometimes come out of the fertiliser of what was left behind.”
― Gillian Duce, Nuada

“Your new start is only as far away as your fear has parked it.”
― Craig D. Lounsbrough

One Video of the Week

3 lessons on starting over | Matt Field | TEDxPrague

From a remote village in Kenya to diplomatic receptions in Prague, this is the story of how starting over—again and again—shaped not just a career, but a life. Having spent over two decades navigating the process of integration in eight different countries, he is well-placed to offer answers to a range of questions: How can we approach the unknown without fear, and even with curiosity? How can we embrace the new while shaping our own path? And what does success look like in a changing world? Ambassador Matt Field OBE, a career diplomat and the British Ambassador to the Czech Republic, has undergone a transformation not just once, but multiple times, across continents, cultures, and identities.

Reading with Ms. Meenu: Tip of the week

Books at the age from 6 to 12 months:

As we continue the discussion of how the language-leaning journey continues in the latter half of the first year, through back-and-forth exchanges between you and your baby. By this age, babies may respond to simple requests, reaching for things, then passing the objects from hand to hand or hand to mouth. 

And now, believe it or not, is prime time to make read-aloud interactive. One study found evidence that when moms directed more questions to their 10-month-olds while reading stories, their children had better expressive and receptive language skills at 18 months old than children whose mothers had directed fewer questions to them.

Toddlers who’d been peppered with questions like What’s that? Where’s the doggie? Do you wanna turn the page? Ready? During storytime as babies showed a greater ability to understand what others said to them. They also showed a higher capacity to communicate their needs, thoughts, and ideas using words, phrases and gestures. So there’s value in reading books and asking related questions, even before kids can answer fully. Through being read to, babies learn language, background knowledge, the concept of print, new words and more. 

Book Behaviour

·         Grasps books using their thumbs

·         Pats, strokes, scratches books

·         Uses feet or mouth to touch books

·         Sees as well as adults

·         Directs their eye gaze to large, bright and/or high contrast pictures in books

·         Points to pictures in books

So it is really important to start reading to your child at an early stage of life.

Happy Reading!

Meenu Gera

Consulting home and school librarian reading guide

Career assessment, guidance, and placement strategies:

Get Ready for Your Dream University: What Harvard Looks For

Harvard University, founded in 1636, has an incredible story that begins with John Harvard, a young minister who, in 1638, generously left his library and half of his estate to this up-and-coming college. From its very beginning, Harvard aimed to nurture knowledgeable and virtuous leaders for the new society forming in colonial America. Today, the “Harvard brand” is recognized worldwide, representing intelligence, success, and opportunity—a true ticket to influence in politics, academia, and the business world.

Harvard looks for students who will thrive in its intellectually rigorous, socially engaged, and leadership-oriented environment. Admissions officers assess both academic excellence and personal qualities to determine who will be a good fit.

Here’s how Harvard identifies a strong fit:

• Strong academic record (challenging courses taken and excelled in)
  
• High SAT/ACT scores
  
• Teacher and counselor recommendations highlighting intellectual depth
  
• Evidence of critical thinking, originality, and engagement in academic pursuits
• A student who has a strong sense of self, purpose, and commitment to making a difference, even in small ways.
• A student who is passionate and proactive, and brings a unique voice or background to campus

Harvard seeks passionate and thoughtful individuals who will shape and be shaped by the community. 

Fermata Career Solutions inspires young individuals aged 13 to 30 to unlock their potential through focused and customised career and college counseling. With expertise in University Readiness, CareerGym, and Master Parenting, the experts empower you to pursue your dreams and shape your future with confidence. More about us on www.fermataco.com

Dear reader,
I work with the school leadership team as an advisor and collaborate with teachers as a pedagogical trainer. I also help parents as a parenting counselor and regularly engage one-on-one with students as a personal guide and mentor. This weekly newsletter shares what I read, learn, and experience.

3-2-1 Tuesdays with Ms. Niv is a newsletter you can subscribe to and enjoy your learning journey with me.