By: Malathi S
Worth Noting:
- When children miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, they pay the price in lost potential β dying before they have a chance to grow up, or going through life with poor physical and mental health; struggling to learn and, later, to earn a living.
- And we all pay the price. Failing to give children the best start in life perpetuates cycles of poverty and disadvantage that can span generations, undermining the strength and stability of our societies.
- In the first few years of life, more than one million neural connections are formed each second β a pace never repeated again.
Early childhood offers a critical window of opportunity to shape the trajectory of a childβs holistic development and build a foundation for their future. For children to achieve their full potential, as is their human right, they need health care and nutrition, protection from harm and a sense of security, opportunities for early learning, and responsive care giving β like talking, singing and playing β with parents and caregivers who love them. All of this is needed to nourish developing brains and fuel growing bodies.
For many millions of the worldβs most disadvantaged children β including children living in poverty or affected by conflict and crisis, children on the move, children belonging to communities facing discrimination, and children with disabilities β we are often missing this window of opportunity.
Millions of children are not receiving the nutrition or health care they need, growing up exposed to violence, polluted environments and extreme stress. They miss out on opportunities to learn and are deprived of the stimulation that their developing brains need to thrive. Their parents and caregivers struggle to get the time, resources and services necessary to provide their children with nurturing care in these contexts.
When children miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, they pay the price in lost potential β dying before they have a chance to grow up, or going through life with poor physical and mental health; struggling to learn and, later, to earn a living. And we all pay the price. Failing to give children the best start in life perpetuates cycles of poverty and disadvantage that can span generations, undermining the strength and stability of our societies.
In the first few years of life, more than one million neural connections are formed each second β a pace never repeated again.
As parents, we are constantly comparing our children to others. Whilst this can be a source of great pride, it can also become a source of worry that something is wrong with our child or that we are doing something wrong as parents.
Every child is a valuable gift to us. Every child is different. Children develop differently, have different personalities, possess different strengths and require different kinds of support to meet their individual needs.
All children develop at their own pace and in their own way.
Children grow and develop in different situations. While their developmental pathways may differ, most pass a set of predictable milestones along the way. It is normal for children to experience developmental spurts and slow spots in different areas of their development over time. If our child is a little ahead or a little behind at a certain age – this is normal. Most of the time, given the right nurturing and stimulation, all children will catch up in the end.
All children have different strengths and vulnerabilities. Some are good at sport, others music. Some are very academic and others not. Some are highly anxious and others are more relaxed. Some children are good sleepers and others wake through the night for years.
Feeling confident that we are on the right track
Many parents are feeling under increasing pressure to βget their parenting rightβ. Others feel under increasing pressure to do well in raising their children who in turn are expected to succeed in school, recreation and employment.
Many parents feel that parenting doesnβt come naturally to them. Parents often lack the confidence to know they are parenting in a way that best meets their individual childβs needs. Many parents feel judged by others about their parenting approach. These experiences can leave parents feeling alone and isolated. Many feel that no other parent is going through similar experiences. These are all common feelings and experiences.
You are not alone. The task of parenting is a constantly changing one as the growing needs and abilities of our children change over time. There is no βone-size fits allβ way to parent. What works for one child may not work for another. What worked when children were two years old may not work when they are four.
Next to the family, is the teacher whom the kids look up to. There are many children who talk to teachers more freely than they do with their own parents. Teachers play an important role in shaping the life of the students under them. Students spend 5+ hours minimum daily in the school and it is the teachers who take care of them. It is more than the time they spend with their family, in fact.
So we can understand that the children look and learn not only education but how to be a better human beings from a teacher. Many teachers dedicate their lives to teaching through their hearts and soul to the students so they would understand. Many go the extra mile and come up with many innovative ways of learning.
The responsibilities fall in the hands of the teachers to find the interests of the students, and the hidden talents and hone them into their dream. There are many children who are shy to come out and do something they are good at. It is the teacher who supports them to come forward in front of others.
