MORE THAN JUST GRADES...

We all consider the childhood years as wonder years but are they really wonderful for our children? In this fiercely competitive world, the young ones get a taste of competition may be at age of two or three in their own drawing room with cousins or siblings of their age. It is not uncommon to see parents urging their child to recite a poem or dance or sing a filmy song in social gathering. What about the little girl who doesn’t want to sing and hides behind her mom? She is labeled shy whereas another outgoing kid who regales everyone with her poems and cute baby chatters gets the claps, competition begins from here.

As a child grows up we in our quest to prepare him for the competitive world ferry him from one skill-oriented class to another so that he is not left behind. The intentions are sound but what about the child? Some children handle it all but some kids don’t and these kids are not willing to accept or share their feelings with grownups. That is where I think the problem lies and that is where communication and interpersonal relations come into play.

We as parents don’t invest too much time and effort in these areas and in the child’s teenage years we are at a loss of words, action and connection with a child. The child rebels, becomes aggressive and we conveniently term it ‘generation gap’ whereas it is ‘communication gap’.

As teenage years are stressful where peer pressure, disappointments and temptations reign supreme and we guardians and well wishers can severely mar the child’s personality with our expectations and ambitions.

During the kids’ growing up years we lay a lot of emphasis on good academics as we feel that is the passport to a good career which ensures a good and comfortable life. As a parent we enjoy basking in the reflected glory of their achievements but do we give as much importance to the development of their interpersonal skills and communication?

Are we patient, understanding, generous, cheerful enough with them to let them acquire these qualities? I certainly hope so. Though we cannot turn back the clock, we can certainly make amends. It’s never too late to start…..

About the Author:

The Author is Ms. Rashmi Banerjee, PRT English, Meenakshi Public School

www.meenakshipublicschool.com

PARENTING IN THIS ERA...

Children are God’s gift to us, and how we raise them is our gift to the world. In losing ourselves to the rat race and our preoccupation with competition and acquiring status symbols, let us not forget to enjoy these gifts. Children are a great source of joy, fun, laughter and relaxation. They have a right to optimum and wholesome development. Let us not deny them these rights. Let us enjoy our children and let us help them to enjoy their lives.

Very often, children are blamed by their parents for turning out the way they are when it is actually the parents who had used unfavourable child-rearing practices. Parents normally learn from their own parents, irrespective of whether their parents used good or unfavourable practices. Somehow it is hammered into their consciousness that what their parents said and did was the right thing. ‘Parents can never be wrong’ is the common belief. So they continue their parents used to do.

It is an understatement to say that the conditions in which their children are growing up. Now many children are alone most of time. Children are growing up watching television and playing violent games on the computer, and with fewer people to monitor the content.

Bringing up children is an entirely different experience in this day and age. Children today are growing up in a world of instant gratification and information overload. Distractions are too many. If parents expect their children to have the qualities that they had or obey them at the slightest indication, then their expectations are not realistic. It has never been tougher being a parent. But the important thing is to raise secure kids. Clear limits or do’s and don’ts are necessary. Parents should make sure that rules are being followed and consequences must be inevitable if they are not followed. Not necessarily in the tiger mom style, but in a gentle, firm loving way that shows who is the boss.

About the Author:

The Author is Ms. Farah Awasthi, Primary Coordinator, Meenakshi Public School

www.meenakshipublicschool.com

DISCIPLINE IN STUDENTS LIFE...

“Discipline is the key to success.” This saying holds true for all people of all age groups, but for students it holds a great value. In contemporary times there are so many temptations that can lure a student away from his basic objectives in life. At a student level, where there is cut throat competition and time is extremely precious, self-discipline is something students should aim to achieve. Discipline is not a commodity that one can buy. It is rare quality which in turn helps a student to scale newer heights of academic excellence.

Discipline is misunderstood and misinterpreted by as rigid and fixed set of rules enforced by others and to be followed without any question being asked. On the contrary, it is not a weapon or tool in the hands of adults to control younger generation. But it is rather an intrinsic motivation in a person to control oneself to live in an orderly and uniform manner.

Temptations are always there in life. Only the forms of temptations change, but those who learn the art of self discipline and self control, nothing can prevent them from attaining goals in life. An undisciplined person is prone to those temptations and can easily fall prey to lifestyle which could lead to his failure. Discipline thus is inevitable as it gives direction to live life in a harmonious and orderly way.

Hoping for a disciplined life from all………………………………….

About the Author:
The Author is Ms. Asha Arora, PGT Maths, Meenakshi Public School
www.meenakshipublicschool.com

“God is the Principal”

Life is an institution we have a principal, God ,who looks over  the entire working of life .He allots teachers, namely our parents, to guide us through this path. We learn lessons and it is up to us whether we want to pass or fail. Every morning we wake up and give a tick mark to the attendance file of our lives. The only differences in this school of life is you cannot play truant even for a day.

Life has been kind to me sometimes harsh but mostly fair .We make mistakes some of which we admit and others we conceal. Think positive. Yes, its that simple.  Thoughts are actions. Imagine if there are a billion good thoughts ,the universe will throw back a billion good actions.

Something with in tells me:”Forget the world and listen to your heart.”If we all just start listening to our inner souls, may be we won’t be scratching our heads while taking the final exam.

Money is like our grades in school it helps us move to the next step but after that who remembers what we scored in Math in the third standard?   People forget that when we die. Money does not come along with us. It is like our grades ,we don’t remember how much we earned or how much we lost. Families fight, Friendships are ruined ,parent child bonds are broken. Isn’t that a waste why would anyone choose paper over love?

Here’s plea for who ever is reading this Let us all try and be the best pupils in this school called life. Be true. Love not only yourself but also others .Love God whole heartedly because that’s all he wants . And you know what they say, "Be in his good books and you will top the institution.”

About the Author:
The Author is Ms. Muskan Agarwal, Educator, Meenakshi World School
www.meenakshiworldschool.com

IMPORTANCE OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN TODAY’S ERA...

English is one of the most important languages in the world. It can even be said to be the single most important language. Yes, other languages are important too, but not for the same reasons as English is important. English is important because it is, maybe, the only language that truly links the whole world together. If not for English, the whole world may not be as united as it is today. The other languages may be important for their local values and culture.

English can be used as a language in any part of the world. This is because at least a few people in each locality would know the language. Though these people might not have the same accent as others, the language at least will be understandable. There are various reasons for the importance of English language. They are listed below.

1. Travel: When a person travels to another part of the world either for the sake of business or even as a tourist, the languages may differ. In these conditions, English is the language that helps people to deal with the situation. It is like a universal language.

2. Same country: In countries like India, where the land is so vast with people of various cultures live, the languages of each part of the country also differ. Under the circumstances, English can be the only link as people in each place will not be able to learn all the other languages to communicate with the people. English bridges this gap and connects the people.

3. Education / Studies: The presence of English as a universal language assumes importance in the fact that more and more people leave their countries not only for the sake of business and pleasure, but also for studying. Education has increased the role of English. People who go to another country to study can only have English as their medium of study. This is because the individual will not be able to learn a subject in the local language of the country. This again reinforces the fact that English language is very important.

4. Correspondence: All correspondences between offices in different countries and also between political leaders of various countries is in English. This linking factor also tells of the importance of English language.

5. Internet: In spite of the growth of Internet in various languages, English is the mainstay of the Internet users. This is the language in which most of the information and websites are available. It is very difficult to translate each and every relevant webpage into the language of various countries. With Internet becoming very important in E commerce and also in education, English language is bound to grow. Thus the importance of English as a language is emphasized.

English has a special status in India. Apart from having a place in the public institutions of the country, in parliament, the law courts, broadcasting, the press and the educational system, English has spread in our daily life. According to the scientific research, it is the most common communicative activity in daily life, “We can expect to listen twice as much as we speak, four times than we read, and five times more than we write.” Therefore, its importance is absolutely obvious.

One of the reasons why we must learn English in our life is, English is important to get a job. In this era, many people are jobless even though they have degree but no soft skills. Even though they get the best result in examination but fail to clear the interview or the exam of life. English language is considered as universal language. English helps to spread other cultures. It is spreading quickly, and is bringing a great impact in our daily life.

The future of English language is very secure. In this era of consolidation and trying to unify various aspects of life, it will not be before English can be made as single language of the world like the single currency and the union of various nations.

About the Author:

The Author is Ms. Meenakshi Bhugra, TGT English, Meenakshi Public School

www.meenakshipublicschool.com