Meeting Teachers-2

Meeting Teachers-2

I next headed to the primary section of Udgam School, a C.B.S.E affiliated
school. Udgam School for Children was founded 47 years ago in a small building by Mrs. Sarojben Carvalho. Eventually the school grew and it was necessary to shift to a bigger premises. As an international university preparatory high school committed to excellence, Udgam School seeks to educate students to be accountable, productive, and ethical citizens with the skills to think innovatively, reason critically, communicate effectively, and respect peoples of other cultures.

Mrs Hina Desai who teaches at the nursery shared some of her experiences on her involvement with parents and her role in handling both children and parents. I started off by explaining her about the project telling her about a guideline or a structure that can be developed for parents which can be useful for them to handle their kids while beginning school. Mrs. Desai then questioned me “ Do you really think that parents really read all guidelines.” I told her that what if such material is available to parents at the time of admission, to which she replied that yes that could be possible and appreciated the idea. She also suggested that personal counselling of parents or an interactive workshop of parents and teachers can also be held for that.

Mrs. Hina Desai

I had several key questions in my mind and I thought I should directly talk about the scenario.

Q. What should parents do when their child begins school?

A. At the time of admission the background of child can be deciphered. So the    
    teachers could have an interactive session with the parents and address their     
    questions at the initial stage itself. The parents should understand the role   
    they are supposed to play by initiating education of their children. They 
    should think of ways in which they can support both the child as well as the  
    school.

Q.What problems do children commonly face while beginning school?

A.Children are very insecure when they begin with school. Parents too feel 
    insecure. Children don’t know what a school is. Once they realize that at the  
    end of the day they go back home, which normally takes about 15 days then 
    they start feeling comfortable. But in special cases such as a disabled child, 
    more love, affection and encouragement is needed. They should have special 
    classes for them. However society is not always ready to accept a disabled 
    child in the institution which further causes a restrain on its education.

Q.How open our children with their parents?

A.Children do take time to share what happens in school with their parents. In 
    such case the parents should not try to force the child to speak out. Give 
    children time to understand what is happening around them and then let them 
    come on their own and share. However these days, parents have also become 
    careless and at times forget to get the child involved and motivated towards 
    school. Their own busy schedules dilute their attention for their children.

Q.How should parents make their child feel comfortable? What all can they 
    possibly do?

A. Motivation and warmth are the key ingredients for a child to feel comfortable 
    anywhere. Parents should tell them about school, about the enjoyment in 
    school and about new things they can learn. Parents should talk cheerfully 
    about school as though befriending school and their child. At the same time 
    also be strict, in case the child throws tantrums on going to school. The child 
    shouldn't always be spared because then it would not take things seriously. If 
    it doesn’t like anything it would want to refuse but it’s the duty of parents to 
    make the child realize the importance of school, and the morals it carries with 
    itself.

Q.What is the role play of siblings?

A.Siblings generally tend to be very protective of their younger brothers or 
    sisters. It does play a very critical role for a child whose sibling is already 
    studying in that school. It becomes much easier. Usually siblings tend to 
    encourage their younger ones. At times they even try to scare them off but in 
   such cases teachers do take initiative to explain to the elder ones to motivate 
    the younger ones.

Q.Has the working pattern of parents affected the child?

A.Children belonging to parents, where both are working are highly insecure. 
    Parents should be encouraged to spend time with them as much as possible.  
   There was a case when this little boy was having cough and cold yet his mother 
   sent him to school. While leaving for home, his mother had come to collect 
   him, instead of his nanny. The teacher questioned his mother about the child’s 
   cold. The mother told that he didn’t have cold until he reached school and 
   that he has been pretending. The teacher knew that it was a genuine case of 
   cold and asked the mother not to forcefully send the child to school just 
   because she herself doesn’t have time. Later when the child was asked 
   whether he liked staying at home he said that he didn’t like it because 
   whenever he fell ill no one gave him medicine and his parents were always 
   working. This kind of treatment by parents can have a long lasting effect on 
   the child. It might cause severe insecurity and affect him mentally as well as 
   physically.

Q.Is the growing trend of nuclear families affecting the child?

A.Yes definitely it is. Nuclear families generally comprise of the parents and the 
   children and grandparents to some extent. The trend of having a single child 
   and also living in flats has moulded the child’s behavior. Parents while away
   for work often instruct their nannies to not let the child out. So he basically   
   gets constricted to his tiny flat. The only means of entertainment are 
   television or books, This results in him being shy and introvert. Such children 
  feel scared when they immediately come to school. They are not used to see 
  hundreds of other kids. They are not used to talking. All this causes phobia in 
  child’s mind. 

   In case of grandparents also there are diverse situations. Many grandparents 
   feel that whatever they couldn't give their children, they will give it to their 
   grandchildren. By means of doing so, they often pamper them. Whereas in 
   some cases, the mother-in law are aware that their interference in their 
   grandchild’s life will not be liked by their children or their daughter-in-law. So 
   they often keep silent and not pay heed to how the grandchild is being 
   treated. Even if they wish to they are scared. Thus the child is helpless as he 
   has no one to approach. All this can lead to psychological problems. Even if 
   the child ended up growing normally, if his school beginning years are not 
   taken sensitively, the child may start bed wetting, thumb sucking or 
   stammering.

Q.What about fathers in today’s scenario?

A.Fathers have become more supportive knowing that their wives are also busy. 
   Of late more and more fathers turn up for the PTA meetings.

Q.What would you suggest the young generation when it comes to dealing 
    with kids and their education?

 A.“Please,please give time to your children.”

      Often a mother’s stress is transferred to the kid. So a mother should try and  
      be calm. They should be patient with their children. They should meditate if 
      they feel that their schedule is erratic and they bash their children 
      frequently. Basically both parents need to control their emotions while 
      talking to their children.