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Learning and growing with children in urban cities*
(The article is based on personal experiences, observations and discussions with people.)
All parents want their children should have all round development, do academically well and should posses a good personality. Taking proper care of the child is a big responsibility. Some basic knowledge, awareness and confidence are required in parents to full fill this job. Earlier, joint and extended family culture was there and people used to get guidance and learn various tips from their elder members whereas now a days , most of the families in urban areas are nuclear and young parents mostly learn from fellow parents , friends ,from internet , special groups made for caring of children , doctors, paramedical staff besides relatives.
In the present article, attempt has been made to highlight, how parents of urban middle class while guiding their children can also learn, relearn, and develop their skills along with their usual routine work. It has been observed that many parents do try to utilise their free time to learn new things like pursuing their interest of hobbies, sports activities as well as academics.
Majority of the parents of Middle and upper Middle Income Groups in urban areas are literate / educated and are aware of what is happening in the education and other fronts of their children’s life. Many parents and care takers do help in their children’s extra curricular activities, besides academics. As the number of children in each family is less they get more attention. Now a days, most of children are smarter , more confident and expressive as they have a lot of exposure to outside world through media, social media and through interactions with a lots of people. They learn and understand things in their own ways and at a faster pace . Many times they formulate own opinion about different things, situations and people .In today’s scenario, things move at a very fast pace and parents / care takers need to update their knowledge and skills to guide their youngsters . Although ,parents /guardians can’t be expert and master in everything, but can definitely learn few essentials.Parents need to understand , support and check wherever needed ,and at the same time they can utilise unlimited opportunities to learn from their children also for their self growth depending upon their interest, capacity , time, financial position , energy and health level and opportunities available . Purposeful Self growth of parents/ care takers can be in various fields/areas .They can learn new techniques to keep abreast with the changing times.
Below are suggested some activities that may be taken up;
- While helping children in their academic and other assignments and projects like making models , elders can search on internet, encyclopaedia, print media and reference books as also can consult other parents and experts, relatives and friends. It enhances knowledge, provides exposure and develop skills.
- Participating in Parent Teachers Meetings and discussing about their children’s progress and areas where they need to improve, understanding their children, meetings with the parents of fellow students of their children. It provides opportunity to interact with a large number of people and enhances knowledge and awareness about various issues.
- Doing purchases from market personally or through on- line / E shopping , learning new techniques of shopping and using different modes of payments ,selecting new items after discussing pros and cons gives exposure to parents about the commodities in market. Daily, weekly, monthly and annual purchases from market for children helps to learn latest trends, fashion and marketing. Selecting clothes, books, story books from the available options, planning and dressing children for the fancy dress shows. All these helps in knowing about traditional costumes from different states and countries and latest trends in different areas.
- Encouraging and helping children to participate in annual functions,sports meets,fetes, cultural programmes , exhibitions. Attending these programmes and observing other children’s activities and performances provides exposure to parents and caretakers to learn about various aspects of school activities. In the residential areas also, help can be provided in making arrangements for children’s sports meet and different types of competitions. It helps in learning many skills besides organising skills.
- Family picnics, games and other activities, if done in open parks / grounds gives good exposure to observe nature and surroundings .Selecting /preparing food items and planning for activities during picnics creates enthusiasm and helps develop team sprit.
- Geting involved in planning of cultural activities like dance, dramas, plays, debates and magic /musical shows, wherever needed and is feasible, helping in writing scripts / poems, debates and discussions. It develops creative and artistic qualities.
- Visits and tours within city, outside city to various states, visits to monuments, historical places .Planning to send with school groups, discussing with children about the places visited. This also helps in learning new culture, people, places, traditions, customs, languages, environment etc.
- Talking to children’s friends, their parents/ caretakers also helps those parents who don’t have much socialisation .It provides opportunities to develop communication skills.
- Arranging online interactions/ zoom meetings with other parents and teachers and organising games and activities. It helps in use of new technologies as well learning new games. Mind remains busy.
- Helping children in assignments of arts and crafts , painting , model making , cookery, computers , musical (vocal as well as instrumental). It helps parents learn new activities .
- Those parents who have missed out in their academic qualifications and have desire to study further can utilise their surplus time to upgrade their skills and qualifications. Now a days many institutions provide courses and programmes for adults.
- Participating in sports and games,joining sports clubs … visiting to parks and other public places, running, walking and cycling with children gives exposure besides developing physical fitness and gives opportunities to interact and meet different people.
- At home, playing word building games, singing, dancing, playing cards, board games and chess etc is a good time pass and helps develop all in many ways.
Joining children in their day today curricular and extra-curricular activities, parents and caretakers also get exposure and can develop many skills and qualities. With a little bit of conscious effort, participating in activities becomes good time pass. Qualities like patience, tolerance, improvisation, innovation, adherence to time schedule, punctuality etc are developed while dealing with children. Life becomes interesting. There are numerous examples where parents and caretakers have gained additional qualifications and have developed a number of skills along with their children. But one should not exert and over burdened herself / himself.
*Nirmal Tikku, Ex. Deputy Director,NIPCCD, New Delhi.