Parents learn to know their kids at Art of Living session
TNN 19 July 2009, 04:41am IST
KOLKATA: More than a hundred parents came with the intention to get some ideas about transforming their errant kids. But at the end of the Art of Living workshop called 'Know your child', they returned with the conviction that they had never looked at the world as a child looks at it and have been wrong in handling their child.
"The most important thing is allowing a child to be comfortable with himself or herself in a child-friendly environment so that he or she can develop into a happy adulthood with a sense of belonging," said Muralidhar Koteshwar, one of the trustees of Sri Sri Ravishankar Vidya Mandir (SSRVM) Trust.
The workshop helps worried parents see things from a child's perspective and it makes all the difference. For instance, fighting between two siblings is actually good for training the child to be a warrior in life. "A child lives in the present, never in the past or the future. So give the child attention when he or she needs it, not when your time permits. It creates magic," said Murali (as he is better known in the circle). His simple tips enthralled parents who hitherto thought parenting means a lot of disciplining and whipping. "Punishment robs a child of confidence," he said.
The workshop actually gives a glimpse into how the Trust sensitizes the teachers of the Trust-run schools across the country on child-friendliness. "In fact, the training of teachers enables them to get a deep insight into the mind of a child. The focus is always on encouraging children to excel without compromising on human values. Children will excel when they are in a stress-free environment. Our curriculum includes daily yoga, asana and breathing exercises, which enable a calm and focused mind. This helps discover the inner potential of every child," said Murali.
The Trust's first school in Kolkata is coming up in Alipore. "The academy aims to provide value education in a friendly and stress-free environment. Innovative teaching-learning facilities have been provided to bring out the best in each child and give him or her wings to fly high while remaining rooted in Indian values. The admission will start from September," said Suvina Shunglu, educational coordinator and junior school headmistress of the academy.
The philosophy of the school is to bring about development of every child in all the three aspects body, mind and spirit. It lays great emphasis on sports,performing and visual arts. Varied interests of the child will be nurtured through activities like creative writing,quizzing,debating, computer programming,out-of-the box arts, martial arts, said Shunglu.
Provision has been made in infrastructure facilities for indoor and outdoor games with a mini gym for toddlers, table tennis, a unique outdoor play station, fields for soccer, cricket and hockey, basketball and badminton courts with experienced coaches. The U-shaped building has been designed to avoid excess heat. Airy corridors and moderate temperature-controlled classrooms are being provided .The latest digital touch screen with overhead projector is being provided in each classroom, said Manish Poddar, the man behind the project.
