Observation leads to revelation and discoveries. As parents and teachers, how much are we observing children? A kindergarten teacher’s work itself is to observe her children. A casual conversation brought to my notice that two children in kindergarten have exceptional talent. One of them could read story books at an age when she was being taught the letters of the English alphabet. I called for her, and there she came, with all her innocence, not realizing the special abilities she was endowed with. A story book was given to her and she read it with ease. I was stunned! Big words were shown and she read it without any hesitation. The parents were called and I was given to understand that the child has been given books right from when she was six months old. Hence, she was able to read beyond her age.
Another child, loves doing addition, subtraction, multiplication and long division, when he is being taught to count in single digits in LKG! He wants to learn percentage! He can complete an Activity book in twenty minutes. He can identify all kinds of shapes. He can read spontaneously. He keeps writing pages and pages and has exhausted many one quire notebooks, that the house does not have enough space to preserve those books. His house is full of educational toys, puzzles, Activity books and all that is required for the kind of exposure, a child can be given. Both these children were exposed to educational programs and spent their time indulging in productive activities. So, they have become child prodigies.
Many children either watch television or use a mobile or tab. Since mothers are busy with household chores, these have become child-minders. Screen addiction has become very common, and has almost become a disease. Even in shopping malls, I have seen children watching something in the mobile when mothers are busy shopping. The grandparent sits beside them. How about giving them the right exposure? Such brain boosting activities will trigger their thinking skills at a very early age.
The constant use of mobile phones can adversely affect children. Apart from affecting their eyes, posture, concentration, prolonged use of this device can affect their brain and also make them feel disconnected even when they are with family and friends. I can already see these issues amongst students. In fact, an expectant mother herself should avoid prolonged usage of her mobile as much as she can. The mother’s state of mind, her well-being, her activities, all have an impact on the unborn child.
“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”
It will do a world of good to children if we can connect them to books early in life. Even when the baby is a few months old, we can read out to them. A cloth book can be given to a baby as they might try to chew it. There are water proof books that can be used in a water tub. Bed time stories, reading out to them, creating a reading space at home, making reading a daily habit, all of these will help in developing your child’s self-confidence, expand their thinking, make them more knowledgeable, enrich their vocabulary, and provide great learning opportunities, to name a few of the many benefits. Gift your child books and create a love for reading. This is the best thing you can do for your child.
Don’t miss out on the early years of your child. Aspire to create a champion out of your child!
“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary”
#Thoughtfulthursdays #nsn #nsnschool #mentoring #parenting
No comments:
Post a Comment