Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!

The journey has done a full circle of validation...

Didn’t think it would happen so soon… 

Can’t stop feeling happy…

As mentioned before http://thecommuknitree.blogspot.in/2015/06/finding-soul-of-education.html, informal education is the soul of education…

Informal Education:  As explained by experts is form of education imbibed outside an institutionalised setting of education. It is neither structured nor usually certified. It could be unschooling education, which is derived from life experiences, domestic responsibilities, family, personal interests and curiosities and social interaction.

The success of Aniket Das (15years) is one such example of informal education… A journey that began with curiosity triggered by friends and supported by the BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2 (Event of the children, by the children and for the children organized by ’The Commuknitree’ in June 2015 in Powai). An environment of equal opportunity and social interaction, resulted in Aniket to discover his interest in cubing; inspired him to push the envelope forward and put his cubing skills t to test. In less than a year and 14 self volunteered competitions the journey culminated in Aniket winning the Pyramix cube national championship 2016. This is not the end,  Aniket has aspirations to participate in the Asian Cubing Championship in the first week of October and the World Cubing Championship in 2017. He is currently in 10^th grade and is confident that he will be able to balance both his studies and his cubing aspirations….

To see the elated feeling in a 15 year old, formation of a dream and a desire to pursue it are outcomes beyond our imagination…

Aniket recently broke the national record average of Pyramix cube by 0.5 seconds and set a new national record of 2.93 seconds https://youtu.be/FmzTOSMRHfo. He is currently ranked no. 7 in the world.

We wish Aniket Das good luck for his 10^th as well all his cubing aspirations.

FINDING THE SOUL OF EDUCATION

As defined on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education

“Education in the largest sense is any act or experience that has a formative effect on the mind, character or physical ability of an individual. In its technical sense, education is the process by which society deliberately transmits its accumulated knowledge, skills and values.”

As most of us know it is these formative effects of the acts and experiences that shape and mould an individual in the way he/she thinks, believes, views, feels, acts and reacts in the society to realize consequential growth and hence unleash the true potential of not only oneself but society as a whole.

In simple words Education can be categorized as:

Formal Education: An intent to learn pre defined skills based on the current benchmarks and academic standards required to cope with current scenarios. The formative effects influenced by this education are based of the past learning, inventions and experiences institutionalized by the society and are very predictable.

Non-formal Education: As explained by Jenniefer Dkhar is learning that takes place in a formal educational organisation but it is not recognised within a curriculum or syllabus framework. The objective of the learner is mainly to enhance one’s knowledge and passion for learning more aligning with the formal education.

Informal Education:  As explained by experts is form of education imbibed outside an institutionalised setting of education. It is neither structured nor usually certified. It could be unschooling education, which is derived from life experiences, domestic responsibilities, family, personal interests and curiosities and social interaction.

In our opinion Informal education is an important source for teaching life skills and applied skills to  children, which not only include application of cognitive abilities but also higher-order competencies involving non-cognitive skills such as the 4Cs of communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity; character skills of persistence, curiosity, conscientiousness, optimism, self-control, resilience and empathy; inter personnel skills like leadership and team work. 

An elaborate skill portfolio as mentioned above needs to be polished since the early childhood and for practical reasons seems to be out of scope of only 'the home' and 'the institution’ domains.

We strongly believe it requires unleashing the potential of our communities for the benefit of our children, like:

• Creating scenarios in the communities to challenge the young minds to apply themselves under guidance and encouragement to make them self aware and realize their self worth with a feeling of 'I belong and can make a difference'. 
• Encourage elaboration, questioning, and explanation to foster curiosity, inquisitiveness, and innovative spirit to feel and fill the gaps in the society
• Build a friendly community of adult and peer mentors to enable children to validate their behavior, differentiate right from wrong, understand their strengths and weaknesses and celebrate true victories, which inspire and aspire the children to build virtuous cycle of positive values
• Draw attention to the knowledge and skills developed and their relevance connecting learning to their personal lives and interests and hence motivating them to perform
• Provide opportunities to bond with parents, families and communities to develop mutual respect.
• Educating parents about new technologies, child/youth pertinent contemporary trends, psyche/pulse/wavelength, enabling them to better understand their children, have more effective conversations, become children's buddies and help their children to make right decisions.

In Swami Vivekananda’s words, “the ultimate aim of education is the process by which character is formed, strength of the mind is increased, and intellect is sharpened, as a result of which one can stand on one’s own feet.”

We invite you all to join us on: One of it’s kind community platform – OF the children, BY the children & FOR the children and allow the children to lead us to lead them.

This was the exact reaction that I got from my friend, when I was speaking to her about enrolling in the KBC, KOMMUNITY BRILLIANCE CONTEST – A Family GK Quiz as part of the Powai Fest, 2015. Pressing to understand better I pushed her with curiosity ‘WHY’ and she obliged

“That is tough.”

.

“But it is important to be aware “, I retorted

“But you have every information needed on the internet at the press of a button, why spend energy knowing it”, she reverted. She even added, “why a GK Quiz… why create more pressure on children… a simple drawing, singing, art n craft competition is fine…….”

The reaction made me reflect, what was I missing here? Is it old fashioned to believe that GK adds to the knowledge bank and helps an individual grow in confidence… helps in developing the most envied “STREET SMART’ personality…betters a person in general.  

Here are a few benefits of the old fashioned General Knowledge that still bring value in this fast changing world:

General knowledge makes starting conversations easy

General knowledge and current affairs are instant conversation starters and can help you in those typical awkward moments of silence. The boundaries of conversation extend much beyond core areas of interest allowing one to start conversations with virtually anyone and everyone.

Get better grades in school, college and competitive exams

Whether it is a long and dull school essay or prep for an upcoming debate, general knowledge helps to enhance academic knowledge. Students in school and college are in many ways, expected to know what is making the world go around. A high level of general knowledge will passively yet directly affect grades in school, college and even competitive exams.

General knowledge helps you take better decisions in life

The importance of general knowledge and current affair spans beyond being able to shoot off answers or start conversations. General knowledge makes you street smart and helps to take well informed decisions.

Impressing someone with general knowledge is a given

A smart personality and good body language definitely score more than a buff body and curvy figures to impress anyone. Good physical characteristics may be useless if one doesn't know what to talk about or how to sustain long chit chats.

Importance of general knowledge for parents: Helping your kids fare better in school

Handy on General Knowledge would not only make your conversations easier with the new age children but it will help gain respect with your child as well with his/her friends, doing wonders to your child’s confidence and performance

Interact effectively with people from different cultures

In the today’s world where global citizenship is the new age shift, hands-n-GK can give an edge in breaking the ice and gaining momentum. Having general knowledge about different countries and geographies is known to help kids to form a perspective about the world and a culture that is different from their own.

General knowledge helps you keep up with the latest trends

Apart from the fact that general knowledge has multiple practical uses it can also make one trendier. Current affairs is an integral part of the general knowledge domain and skimming through magazines, newsletters and websites can keep one updated on the latest trends and all the other things that can keep one bubbly and youthful.

Imagine going to a party without knowing the steps to to PSY's Gangnam Style.

Refine your sense of humor with general knowledge

Having a good sense of humor is possible if you have good observation skills and if you know lots of trivia. You will be able to crack a joke or play a pun on a word easily if you can weave in a fact or two and use it in satire of a situation you are in.

General knowledge will help you have an opinion

Opining is not always about telling someone what you think or whether you like or dislike something. It involves subtleties of making an informed choice, taking a side, manipulating and maybe even cajoling someone to do something.

Enhance your public speaking skill with general knowledge

The importance of general knowledge percolates deeper than just being able to be a good conversationalist. There mere fact of being armed with well rounded knowledge can give a speaker's confidence a solid boost before and during a public speech.

General knowledge increases creativity and innovation

Academic curriculum may not be enough to increasing creativity and innovation in children and adults alike. Everyone learns the same things in school and college. What makes people different from each other is the extra knowledge they have.

Quest for general knowledge: Makes for an excellent hobby

What will you possibly do if you are feeling bored and you don't have a laptop or a smartphone in sight? Get even more bored, is possibly one of the top answers. Your quest for general knowledge will make you look forward to just picking up a newspaper, book or a magazine and spending hour after hour reading a habit well desired.

What can I say…old fashioned or not, we owe it to our children to help start this invaluable habit early on in life.

For Detail Reference Visit: http://princesswithapen.hubpages.com/hub/Importance-of-general-knowledge-Benefits-of-being-knowledgeable-in-various-subjects-and-domains

Parent Education - The Mantra for Parenting Success

The Current age parenting can be very demanding and competitive:

Some of us feel anxious that our child may be ‘lagging behind’ – “My child is scoring in 90s but she doesn’t understand that is not good enough”.

Some of us feel we are not providing sufficient opportunities – “I know my child is a genius I wish I could send her to a better school I am sure she would then outshine everybody”.

Some of us work long hours and struggle to fit in time with our children and this makes us feel guilty – “My son would have surely won the competition only if I had more time to help him”.

Some of us are overpowered by the intense nature of the attachment between parent and child. Anger, pride, frustration and love provide a powerful cocktail of emotions resulting in everyday power conflicts.

Some of us see our self worth in our children’s success

Some of us judge ourselves based on our children’s behaviours.

In the process of coping with these everyday parenting demands,

We have forgotten what it’s like to be the child and what it is like to be parent to the child.

We have lost the empathy for our own children and how it must feel for them to be dependent on us.

We have forgotten the art of listening to our children and being there for them.

We have forgotten that the children are constantly watching us and what we do really matters to them.

As per the experts the children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development is affected by not what parents desire but  

Who parents are - their intelligence, temperament, attitude, behaviour

What parents know - about child development and normative child behavior

What parents believe – their attitudes toward childrearing

What parents value - education, achievement, obedience, interpersonal relationships

What parent expect of their children – achievements, moral values, attitude, manners

What parents ultimately do - their parenting practices and overall parenting style

Research suggests that parenting styles have a tremendous influence on children:

Parenting based on warmth and firm discipline results in self-control, self-reliance, and exploration in children;

Parenting based on coercive and harsh discipline and lacking in warmth results in distrust and withdrawn behaviors in children;

Permissive, uninvolved and indulgent parenting results in worse self-control, self-reliance, and exploration in children.

Judgemental parenting can result in defiant children lacking in self confidence and self esteem

More recently, in a groundbreaking comprehensive study, researchers found that family characteristics and parenting (e.g., sensitive caregiving, cognitive stimulation, and positive involvement) in the first years of life predict pre-academic skills and socio-emotional development and behavior throughout the school years. In fact, the estimated effects of parenting are often larger than the estimated effects of early childhood education to foster positive child development. Family environments typically account for greater variance in children’s outcomes, reflecting the indisputable fact that parents remain their children’s first teachers, and what they do matters for children.

This puts a bigger responsibility on the parents and the big question is with the current age family structures and economic pressures “ARE THE PARENTS EQUIPPED TO RAISE THEIR CHILDREN AS BALANCED PERSONALITIES”

As per most experts having authority on child development, parent education as ―a process that involves the expansion of insights, understanding and attitudes and the acquisition of knowledge and skills about the development of both parents and of their children and the relationship between them is becoming a key critical component of the success of children in this highly competitive age.‖

"The parent-child relationship is one of the longest lasting social ties human beings establish," said Kira Birditt, lead author of the study and a researcher at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research (ISR). "This tie is often highly positive and supportive but it also commonly includes feelings of irritation, tension and ambivalence."

As parents it is our duty to rid our relationships with our children from irritation, tension and ambivalence and provide the right environment for the growth of their unlimited potential. Let’s not feel shy, let’s reach out and find support.

Happy Father's Day!!!

 

 

“Fun, Toys, Jokes, Protection”

“Guide”

“The most reliable person in my life”

“Will always be by my side, when I am in trouble”

“Cannot see tears in my eye?”

“Has made me who I am”

“Has taught me my life’s toughest, but the most important lessons”

“Most simple straight forward person, my role model”

“My strength to face anything comes from him”

These are few of the impulsive answers that I got when I posed the question, “What comes to your mind when you think of your father”.

 Honestly father is one role in our society that gets underplayed on the emotional scale as the expressions  that come to our mind when we think of our father or any father are: like a rock, strong, strict, keeps me in line, please don’t tell him as he will get mad…….

These emotions though may sound harsh are the ones that truly keep us in check.  From day zero father is a hand that we hold that is synonymous with strength - a person who carries us on his shoulders so that we never lose sight of our dreams, provider – who makes sure all our wishes are fulfilled, guide – who bargains love to be the toughest teacher so that we graduate well in our lives.

Today when I reflect I can’t stop wondering where does the boy, who turns a father get all this strength from to live a life of responsibility with full commitment and conviction and never ask for anything in return other to make him proud……That’s the least that we can do for the person who provides the wings for our dreams.

Plan a game of ball or go for a long drive or watch a game together or take him out to his favourite joint, or a fishing trip or just simply say thank you to the person who lives his life only to protect the happiness of his child.

Healthy Brain For Life

 

 

 

In today’s world where performance is measured by test scores, culture is learnt in isolation from the television, hand eye co-ordination is perfected by playing on the electronic devices, information is gained from Google and health is gained from junk food we just seem to be raising a generation abundant in conflicts, a generation that is sitting but not moving, a generation that is learning but not applying, a generation eating but not healthy. With the competition growing fierce and the need for academic excellence clubbed with out of box thinking becoming a mandatory requirement for most to stand out in the herd, we seem to be applying the wrong strategy by inculcating bad eating habits, lack of self motivated learning and lack of physical exercise resulting in alarming health issues like obesity, diabetes, vitamin B12 and vitamin D deficiencies.

As per Philippa Norman MD, MPH:

Within a child's brain, a biochemical process of learning is occurring, that parallels the classroom experience. Making connections, finding meaning, and solving problems are learning tasks that require lightning-fast electrical impulses between areas of the brain.  Formation of memory requires physical growth and reshaping of networks of brain cells.  So that wonderful experience - when the lights go on and your child says, "I get it!" - is a neurochemical process as well as an academic one. By nourishing the brain with healthy food and water, you will optimize the internal environment, enabling students to truly engage in the classroom environment and achieve their potential.

In short she says we need a healthy brain for life.

As per most experts health and well-being of children has a direct impact on the academic performance of children. Health of children is very critical not only for the children to reach their achievement goals but also for a country to advance economically and culturally. The formula for the healthy brain as recommended by most experts is:

Healthy food + Good Physical exercise = Healthy Brain

Healthy food not only comes from a well balanced diet as most of us know but also comes from good eating habits. As agreed by pediatricians and experts the most important meal of the day is the breakfast. A lot of children in their laziness to rise early and rush to get to the school/college tend to miss their breakfast resulting in a day filled with fatigue and underperformance. Breakfast as the name suggests breaks the night long fast, which when skipped continues the fast resulting in unnecessary stress on a developing body. Some studies show that children, who eat breakfast have higher math and verbal fluency scores and perform better on standardized tests.  The breakfast-eaters pay better attention, behave better in class and are less likely to be absent, late or see the school nurse. The motto is Rise n Shine - have a healthy meal – take on the day with a happy smile

Good food needs good exercise to make it work. A good 60 minutes of exercise daily directly impacts the behavior and development of the brain as follows:

• Increased oxygen flow to the brain
• Increased brain neurotransmitters
• “[Increased] brain-derived neurotrophins that support neuronal differentiation and survival in the developing brain.” Neurotrophins assure the survival of neurons in areas responsible for learning, memory, and higher thinking.

Physical exercise not only optimizes the functioning of the brain but also improves grades, self confidence, self esteem, flexible and fit body always ready to take on challenges.

Well being insights such as these can help monitor the health of our children better. Please join us on 8^th June to attend the pediatric talk to get a perspective on role of vitamin D and vitamin B12, the effect of their deficiency, symptoms, precautions and cure. Let’s all take a step towards the healthy growth of the children.                                                                                                                                                     

Psychological, Emotional and Behavioural Development of Young Minds

 

 

 

 

Sometime ago, when I had to attend the PTM at my daughter’s school, she again threw a tantrum at the kind of dress that I was supposed to wear to the school. I had laid out an ethnic Indian dress and my daughter wanted me to wear a western dress on the pretext that I would look very old fashioned and she would not fit in with her friends. This behavior had now become a very common scene at our home. Every time I would decide to wear an ethnic dress to the school my daughter would simply start crying. On this one occasion I had decided not to give in to her demand and wore the dress of my choice. I tried explaining to her that the dress did not define my personality but I myself did….that she needs to respect my desire as well….that she needs to be proud of our national ethnic dress and not look down on the people wearing it….that it was absolutely not an acceptable behavior to throw a tantrum if things didn’t go her way…. Unconvinced with my explanations, skeptical of the impression she would make at the school and fearing that her friends would laugh at her, she rode in absolute silence in spite of all my efforts to cheer her up. Once at the school, to her pleasant surprise her best friend commented: “Aunty you look so lovely”. She looked at me with a sheepish smile and filled her stride with a little more confidence. Then after, she had completely forgotten about the dress. On the way back, I happened to ask her: ‘Was it that bad?’ and she replied ‘Ma, I am sorry, I shouldn’t have behaved the way I did and you really looked good’.

From day zero, our children are constantly forming impressions, opinions, creating an emotional outlook and a psychological profile strengthened by cognitive training, language learning, social skills and strong influences of physiology and the surrounding environment. The biological, psychological and emotional changes that occur in the children as they grow from being dependent to autonomous is what the experts refer to as child development, which is also responsible for the behavioural development in the children

Parents have a vital role in the emotional and psychological development of their children. Parents can help their children learn how to express their feelings through instructing, modeling, and guiding them in applying the skills of emotional management. A parent, helping children with their feelings can both help them feel better and reduce behavior problems. Children who are able to manage their emotions often experience positive feedback from others and are more successful in everyday life. Parents are important for their children’s emotional development not only because they are attachment figures but also because of their cognitive and emotional expertise to instruct their offspring on the use of emotion labels, appraisals, expressions, and strategies. As it is said the roots of all development primarily start at home- the parents must understand that by being attentive to their children, respecting the differences of opinions, nurturing their self-esteem and modeling the right behavior, they can make a world of difference, to their children.

 According to psychologist Jean Piaget, children are like "little scientists" and that they actively try to explore and make sense of the world around them. Keeping in line with this belief Piaget described the cognitive development of children to involve processes based upon actions and later into changes in mental operations. A company that supports this kind of cognitive development is SmartQ with their unique methodology of tickling the curiosity of the young minds.

Since the optimum development of children is a critical requirement for the future, ‘The Commuknitree’ brings Dr. Anureet Sethi to address the topic of ‘Psychological, Emotional and Behavioural Development of Young Minds and Role of Parents’ at the ‘Back-to-School Event’ for community empowerment.

 

By teaching our children to recognize their feelings and express them by regulating their emotions, we can create strong individuals, who can solve problems independently and make effective contributions to the society.