World Smile Day: Simple things you can do to bring that big smile on your child's face

Every year on the first Friday in October, people all over the world celebrate World Smile Day. This delightful day, created by Harvey Ball, the artist who designed the iconic yellow smiley face, encourages us to spread joy, kindness, and, of course, smiles.

What is better than that ‘jaadoo ki jhappi’ (magical hug) with your kid? Cuddling will instantly bring a smile to you and your kid’s faces. It reduces stress and promotes bonding. Give your child cuddles every time to get a chance and let that love and happiness blossom.

Of course, there is no doubt that you love your child. However, saying it out loud can make a lot of difference. Forget the old-style tough love, tell your child everyday you love them and watch that warm smile spread across their beautiful face, no matter what age your child is.

Kids put in a lot of effort into little things that may seem not-so-important to us. It is important to be able to see the world from their perspective and appreciate them for their little, meaningful actions. This will act as positive reinforcement and your child will go forward on the path of more and more kind and positive deeds.

Failure is a part of life and while it is ok to feel sad about it for a while, it is one’s ability to dust themselves off and rise from their failure towards the path of success. When your child fails – academically, or in a sport, or in cooking or anything else – tell them you have faith in them, guide them from the wrong to the right and teach them to restore their self confidence.

It is quite normal to not be the perfect parent. You may have meltdowns or get too mad and lose your cool. Chances are, you will hurt your child at least once, if not a couple of more times. If that happens, it is ok. What matters more is that you realize your mistake, learn from it, not repeat it and apologize to your child. Wipe off their tears and bring a smile to their face.

In our busy lives, it's easy to get caught up in work, chores, and distractions. Take the time to be fully present when you're with your children. Let go of distractions like phones and laptops and give them your undivided attention. Engage in conversations, listen to their stories, and show them that you genuinely care about what's going on in their lives. This time, your present with your child, is truly a gift. Embrace and do not procrastinate, thinking you will spend quality time in the future once you are done with this or that. Make everyday beautiful and smiley for your child.

Play is an essential part of a child's development, and it's also a fantastic way to bond with your kids. Get down on the floor and join them in their imaginative games, build Lego structures, have a tea party with stuffed animals, or simply run around at the park. Your active involvement in their playtime will create cherished memories and bring smiles all around. Forget smiles, you will be laughing together till your cheeks hurt. Now those are memories to be cherished for a lifetime!

The best smile is the one that comes from within -- from a happy heart. Creativity can be a window for your child's joy. Foster your children's creativity by providing them with the tools and opportunities to explore their artistic side. Offer crayons, paper, paints, and craft supplies, and let them create to their heart's content. Display their artwork proudly, and praise their efforts to boost their self-esteem.

Create special family traditions that your children can look forward to, whether it's a weekly movie night, a monthly game night, or an annual camping trip. These shared experiences not only create lasting memories but also strengthen the family bond and elicit smiles of anticipation. It is what makes family-time extra special and never boring.

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When your children need to talk, whether about a triumph or a challenge, be an active and empathetic listener. Offer your support and understanding. Your willingness to listen without judgment will make them feel valued and loved. This can help your child declutter their mind, get a better grasp of their emotions and trust you as their go-to confidante.