Let's Grow

Being a mother of two young kids gives me enough opportunity to get multiple views on kids’ related issues. The current and very hot topic these days is traditional system of schooling vs.playway / modern system. Pro traditional system group has got a point that after completing their plus two ,would these kids be able to compete with the time tested traditional syllabus which no doubt helps them in sailing through the competitive exams like medical and engg? According to this group the ultimate goal of achieving success in these two career streams is possible only through traditional system of studies. One of weird reason I have heard from this group is that our kids have so much of energy that it becomes difficult to handle them if they are sitting idle, it’s good that they give so much home work that kids don’t get time to mess around! Schools following playway method of teaching, give emphasis to experiential learning. They prepare a kid to face the real challenges o

If you will hit me with a stick, I ’ ll also hit you with this bat ” this was my older one of 6 while playing with his friend. It took me a while to accept that it was really my son ’ s voice, I was in a shock as we had never ever raised a hand on him or his younger brother of 4 & we had always taught him that in our house hitting was absolutely not acceptable and he had also imbibed the learning quite well, then what was so provocative today that he was responding in this violent manner; it was very very essential for me to understand his point of view ,I was required to sit with him and talk about the matter…. But mamma it was he who first hit me, should be just sitting and letting him hit me, without any action? ” Now there was a need for me to do some thinking; this was learning for me as well, as I had fed him only half the lesson, I had taught him that hitting was not good. It was OK till the time he was following this in the secure environment of our home as everybody w

Is somebody interested in producing good quality programs, with decent language and basic moral values for our future generation? Or parents have no choice except to let their 3-4 year olds watch whatever is available on kids’ channels. Adding to the woes is the low standard of the language these programs are being dubbed in. In most of the programs the lead cartoon character is shown either equipped with unbelievable super-powers or has an alien friend with extraordinary gadgets, without which he /she is a person with below average academic record, poor physical strength and extremely unpopular amongst his/her friends. The protagonists are also shown making fun of elders, disobeying them and hitting each other, sometimes a four year old is shown to be interested in women twice or thrice his age; the list of these kinds of examples is endless. Sometimes one just wonders, where good quality, educational, inspirational programs of good old Doordarshan days have gone, which used to have s

I just loved the ten “child commandments to parents” given to my kindergarten kid the other day by his teacher. It was indeed the crux of good parenting in a sweet lil capsule. May be it will stir a part of your soul as well as it did, mine. Happy parenting! 1) My hands are small; please don’t expect perfection when I draw a picture. 2) My eyes have not seen the world as yours have; please don’t expect me to see the things the way you do. 3) Please take time to explain things to me about this wonderful world. 4) Please don’t scold me for my inquisitiveness. 5) Treat me as you would like to be treated. 6) I am a special gift from God; please treasure me as God intended you to do. 7) I need your encouragement to grow. 8) Please don’t compare me to my siblings or friends. 9) Please set a good example for me to follow I enjoy learning. 10) Shower me with praise and see the enhanced level of my performance. (Original source: The speaking tree, the times of India)