Great Education

The school life is sure to be influenced by the emotional attitudes of pupils either positively or negatively. So side by side with the recognition of individual differences, a teacher must be aware of the emotional aspects of the child’s life. A child’s emotional life is just as important as his intellectual or physical life. Unfortunately, parents and teachers have been relatively slow to accept this. Most of the people responsible for the growth of children are still ignorant of this vital factor.

The importance of the emotional life of the child in his education has been duly recognized by certain groups of modern educators. Its evidence comes from four principal sources. Firstly, we find it from the Progressive Schools. They attach due importance to the emotional life of children and are against giving any kind of harmful school punishment of the older type. These schools produce pupils whose adjustment and happiness are distinctly marked. Secondly, we find it from schools which through arts, handicrafts, drama, music etc. give full scope to pupils for free emotional expressions. Consequently, the pupils acquire emotional, mental and motor control with corresponding social poise. Thirdly, we find it from schools where the needs of the pupils are always given the first importance. The teacher-pupil relationship is based on understanding of these needs. Everywhere in the school, there is a natural sympathetic attitude towards capabilities and difficulties. Fourthly, in the fields of backwardness, juvenile delinquency and maladjustment, several valuable investigations have been made. These investigations acquaint us with the deep and potent influence which negative emotional states exert- as evidenced in progress, cure and readjustment. studies of children and adolescents and various kinds of researches in this connection betray the intimate relation between intellectual, physical and emotional aspects of life. Today we are aware that much of the illness, scholastic failure, unhappiness and difficult behavior in children is the direct outcome of emotional frustration. The teacher cannot foresee all this unless he has a deep psychological understanding.

According to psychological findings, emotional calm is a necessary condition for the proper functioning of intellectual power whether in children or in adults. The sense of success and achievement creates balanced personalities. It is in the favorable emotional incentives of interest and success that we can concentrate and apply our powers to the best advantage. Even the dullest child may be immensely benefited by encouragement, praise, individual help and sympathetic consideration of difficulties. Failure, fear, frustration, harsh criticism, sarcasm, punishment, and unhealthy competition will never create the sense of independence and self-control in children which we must endeavor to promote. Hence, all the teachers must be trained in the principles of mental hygiene of child and adult. Free psychiatric advice and treatment should be available for all the teachers both in training and actual practice. Hence the knowledge of psychology is very necessary for a teacher.

During the initial years, a child only has parents as his friends. He looks up to his parents for every small things pertaining to his life. But that is the case in infancy stage. As child grows up, he starts developing social contact. In our lives, friends play a major role in shaping up our personality. Friends are very important in building one’s self confidence and social skills. But the nature of child plays a major role in deciding his social circle. Many kids are introvert in nature and find it difficult to make new friends. This art does not come from birth and therefore it has to be learned. However, making new acquaintance is a big deal for many kids and they need to be taught this art.  

Introverted kids face hard times in any activity that requires interaction. Whether it is making new friends or joining a new class or playing a team sport, he faces difficulty. One of the reasons could be behavioral problems like shyness. Attention difficulty is also one of the issues. Shy kids don’t prefer to take initiatives. Other reason could be advent of passive games like TV and video games. This way, child gets lesser chances of interacting with new people. The busy schedule of children in modern day competitive world also takes a heavy toll.

However, this condition can be solved by the parents. Parents themselves can find out what causes their kid to be shy. They can also observe his behavioral pattern in new situations. They can talk it out with kids and encourage him to initiate. Parents can also accompany children to enhance their social skills. Parents must indulge themselves in child’s activities. Allow your kids sufficient opportunities to make new friends.

Children are exposed to various aspects in school and their interaction makes them wonder about several things in life. The continuous questions they ask makes it difficult for us to answer them aptly. The religion of the child does matter despite us living in a cosmopolitan environment. Children are made to understand that they are Hindu or Christians. The schools generally follow a certain faith in terms of prayers and which is conveyed to students.

Confusing children with too many stories about religion will not be a right thing. Following an ordained religion and yet respecting other religions is vital for a child’s growth. Children are the future of tomorrows India and hence it is our duty to not make them prejudiced about the various demarcations made by culture and religion. There is something very positive about prayer; it is like being with a higher self and airing all your problems.

Prayer at home is necessary. Verses in Sanskrit, Urdu or the excerpts from the Bible are based on the supreme message that there is God above us to guide and correct us when we falter. Children are innocent in their mind and hence it is easy for us to make them understand about the importance of prayer. Religion definitely seems to be a path which we observe for expressing our love to God but this may not become the central theme of life.

Example, In India have so many castes, subcastes and culture but education and intermingling of seamless geography is the only way we can interact. Our goal as parents is to give a complete all round development to our progeny. The wealth of knowledge gained by education surpasses all the trivial things that are these days taken as violence in the name of religion. Do feel free to share your views about how to explain to kids about religion.