A young couple were once having their morning coffee & watching their neighbour hanging their washed clothes. “The clothes look so dirty”, said the wife. “I think she needs better detergent”, remarked the wife. Her husband remained silent. Daily the young woman made the same remarks about the neighbour’s washing. After a few days, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean set of clothes. She said to her husband,”look – she has finally learned how to wash correctly.” The husband replied, “I cleaned our windows today.”
So it is with our students. What we see while observing students depends on the clarity of the window through which we look. We all have been guilty numerous times throughout our lives for passing negative comments on students without a clear perspective.
Students should be encouraged and involved physically, mentally as well as emotionally in all walks of life. They should be well occupied at home during the pandemic. Parents can plan different activities like organising an imaginary trip depending on the age group, creating the atmosphere, food, culture, costume of the place, etc., Also, maybe a farm visit with all greeneries in the balcony or kitchen garden can be planned. A lot of Botany, atmosphere, bioscience, environment learning can happen.
Teachers too can plan different things like this to avoid monotonous teaching. Students like innovation, change and attention. These activities create a free mind without stress. Kitchen has a tremendous resource of teaching aids for Maths, Chemistry and Biology.
Dance & music can be added too. Yes. It may be tough for the parents as well as teachers. They can seek help from neighbours( if it is safe) or other family members and friends.
“A Sound mind is in a Sound body” is a good axiom to keep in mind. Yoga, exercise and games can be added regularly at home study. Involvement of every family member, spending time together, planning, and organising can be fun for all. Parents must try to break the generation gap between children. We all must remember that the Pandemic gives us time to spend with our children. We must make the best use of this. Understand them, learn new technologies, listen to them & always not say “you know- we like old songs, old style, old method of writing”, etc., We will become younger moving with the younger generation. Appreciate, involve and enjoy.
Supporting The Students Well Being During This Pandemic
