Meet And Greet with Dr Anupam Sibal

To discuss Dr Anupam Sibal's book "Is Your Child Ready to Face the World?" and explore parenting insights with educators.

Key Takeaways

•⁠  ⁠Values like compassion, humility, and gratitude remain crucial for raising children, even as technology rapidly changes society

•⁠  ⁠Deeper parent-teacher engagement is needed beyond formal PTAs to support children holistically

•⁠  ⁠Time management, creating a positive environment, and teaching forgiveness are key habits for children's development

•⁠  ⁠The current generation faces unique challenges with impatience and mental health due to the instant gratification culture

Topics

Dr Sibal's Background and Parenting Philosophy

•⁠  ⁠Grew up in Kashmir until age 16, then moved to Delhi for medical studies

•⁠  ⁠Emphasises balance between mother's "soft touch" and father's "hard touch" in parenting

•⁠  ⁠Believes in a collaborative spirit between child and parent, allowing for open debate

•⁠  ⁠Stresses the importance of finding one's calling rather than forcing career paths

Challenges of Modern Parenting

•⁠  ⁠Today's children have much more exposure and access to information

•⁠  ⁠Parents struggle to accept children's logical arguments against their views

•⁠  ⁠Need to create an environment for meaningful dialogue and accept that children may know more about some topics

•⁠  ⁠Important to teach time management, balance, and patience in an instant gratification culture

Developing Compassion and Empathy

•⁠  ⁠The current generation is perceived as lacking in compassion/empathy compared to previous ones

•⁠  ⁠These traits can be trained, but shouldn't be forced - need to create the right environment

•⁠  ⁠Impatience and desire for instant results make it harder to develop these qualities

•⁠  ⁠Mental health issues are more prevalent in the current generation due to a lack of patience

Parent-Teacher Engagement

•⁠  ⁠Formal PTAs are insufficient for authentic engagement - need deeper, more frequent connections

•⁠  ⁠Suggestion to create an app/tool to better connect teachers and parents

•⁠  ⁠Home visits by teachers (1 per week) can dramatically improve engagement

•⁠  ⁠Understanding family challenges is key to supporting students holistically

Next Steps

•⁠  ⁠Explore creating a parent engagement platform as part of GSA initiatives

•⁠  ⁠Consider inviting parents to "Brewing Knowledge" sessions for shared learning

•⁠  ⁠Encourage schools to have teachers conduct regular home visits (1 per week)

•⁠  ⁠Join the upcoming My Good School Sunday session on communication skills with Kartik Bajoria

To Chat or not to Chat (Chat GPT) - RP Devgan

The debate over the use and effect of Artificial intelligence (AI) rages on.I am reminded of my school days when the hot essay topic used to be"Science is a good servant but a bad master".

Before AI we have had the use of technology in Schools in India.In many cases Schools have gone overboard in its use and introduced Computers right from class 1 for 6 years old compared to 140 Waldorf Schools in the USA that do not allow the use of any gadget in their Schools till class 7.In many ways this technology has had an adverse effect on children.

AI Chat GPT was introduced in 2022 with very low investment but today OpenAI, Anthropic, Elon Musk's xAI and Facebook's Zuckerberg have invested billions and billions of dollars in AI.

President Trump on his second day in office invited Sam Altman of Open AI and unveiled an AI data center project Stargate of 500 million dollars to stay ahead of China's Deepseek.

Anthropic with Dario Amidei as CEO and Elon Musk's xAI are collectively valued at 500 billion dollars today.The stakes are high and sceptics who have smaller pockets feel that none should have the power to impose their views on the world but have little choice.

Today millions and millions of people are using Chat GPT.

What are going to be its effects? Creativity in many ways will be a victim.Critics of AI already call it a "Plagiarising Machine". It appears that the common man will suffer as it will cause environmental degradation and joblessness.

Environment degradation because the training cutting edge models cost billions of dollars and require enormous amount of water and electricity.

As it happens all new technologies have their pros and cons as does AI. Eventually it is the user who will have to be wary.

Only time will tell whether AI will live up to its promises.

Rajinder Pal Devgan (RP)

Chairman Learning Forward India, is an experienced educationist with over five decades of experience as a school leader in India and abroad.

Q&A WITH AUTHOR - How can I read better?

An extract from a book I am reading!

Q&A WITH AUTHOR

YJ: I love your book. It makes me feel like I'm successful by virtue of reading and I like this feeling. (laughs). It's totally my kind of book.

AR: Yes, absolutely. (laughs) Reading makes you see with clearer eyes and understand the world better. When you can do that, you become stronger - the feeling you associate with success. But at the same time, it gives you pain. Within the pages, there's much suffering, beyond what we've gone through in our finite experience of life. You'll read about suffering you didn't know existed. Having experienced their pain through words, it becomes a lot harder to focus on pursuing individual happiness and success. Reading makes you deviate further from the textbook definition of success because books don't make us go ahead of or above anyone else; they guide us to stand alongside others.

Y: I like that line - to stand alongside others.

AR: We become successful in other ways.

Y: How so?

AR: We become more compassionate. To read is to see things from someone else's perspective, and that naturally leads you to stop and look out for other people, rather than chase after success in the rat race. If more people read, I think the world would become a better place.

YJ: It's common to hear people say that they have no time to read but I believe you read a lot?

AR: Not really, about one book every two or three days.

YR: I call that reading a lot. (laughs)

AR: Really? (laughs) Being so busy, were usually left with only small pockets of time to read - perhaps in the morning, during lunch, in the evening after work and before we go to bed. But these pockets of time can add up to become something substantial.

XI: You mentioned that you usually read a few books at any one time.

AR: Yeah, I have a short attention span. I get bored and distracted easily, even if the book is interesting. So, when I start to feel restless, I'll switch to reading something else. I've been told that I'll mix up the plots, but so far, that has never happened.

X: I feel like I'll forget what I've read earlier by the the time I return to the previous book.

AR: Hmm... when I read, I don't obsess over the need to remember every detail. Of course, I'll need to remember the earlier bits to a certain extent, but that said, it's also unlikely that you have zero recollection of what happened. I usually recall most of it, but if my memory is a little hazy, I'll reread the bits I've underlined in pencil before I move on.

Y: Yes, I remember you mentioned in your book that there's no need to obsess over the details. But is it really okay? (laughs)

AR: (laughs) It's perfectly fine. Books are not meant to remain in your mind, but in your heart. Maybe they exist in your mind too, but as something more than memories. At a crossroads in life, a forgotten sentence or a story from years ago can come back to offer an invisible hand and guide you to a decision.

Personally, I feel like the books I've read led me to make the choices I've made in life. While I may not remember all the details, the stories continue to exert a quiet influence on me.

Y: That's very comforting to know. To be honest, I can't even recall much from the books I read just a month ago.

AR: Same for me, and I think most people will agree too.

Y: Some say were in an era where people no longer read. What do you think?

AR: While I was writing this book, I used Instagram for the first time. I was so pleasantly surprised by what I saw that I started to question who dreamt up the notion that people don't read these days? There are so many people on the app who are devouring books at an incredible pace, and it convinced me that readers aren't an extinct breed. That said, I know these Instagram readers are not representative of the average person and are probably a niche bunch. Some time back, I read this article claiming that half the adults in Korea don't even finish one book in a year. But when people don't read, you can't just call it a problem. It's not that straightfor-ward. Therere so many reasons: being busy, having no emotional bandwidth or time. It's because were living in such a suffocating society.

XT: Does that mean that until we create a more liveable society, it's going to be hard for people to read?

AR: Hmm... we can't just sit and wait for society to get better. If more people start to read, they'll be able to empathise with the pain of others and the world will become a better place sooner.

YJ: What can we do?

AR: It's not an issue I can solve. (laughs) But I believe that people still have an appetite for read-ing, and that they feel it's important to read. What about the people who want to read, but can't, for one reason or another?

YJ: ...

AR: As the age-old saying goes, the first step is always the hardest. (laughs) How do we start? Oh, is this the point where I should say I wrote the book with this group in mind? (laughs)

YJ: That's it? Not even a teaser? Come on, share something with us. How about the bit about using timers on days when you can't concentrate?

AR: Of course, I was just kidding. On days when you can't concentrate, ask yourself what's been on your mind recently. Humans are naturally motivated to be curious about things were interested in. For example, many of us want to quit our jobs. If you're thinking of quitting, read books written by people who've quit. There are many such books. If you want to emigrate, read stories about people who've moved across lands and oceans. If you're struggling with low self-esteem, have lost touch with a good friend or feel depressed, seek out books about that. But if you haven't read for a long while, it might be hard to concentrate, and you may get distracted easily. When I feel this way, I set a timer on my phone for twenty minutes. Until the timer rings, I'll focus on the book. Setting small restrictions like this adds a little tension that'll help us concentrate. Once the twenty minutes are up, we have the choice to stop reading, or if we want to go on a little longer, we can set a timer for another twenty minutes. If we do it three times, we have read for an hour already. Let's try to set the timer three times and complete an hour of reading every day.

Reading My Good School - 28th February 2025

 

Quick recap

Sandeep led a discussion on the importance of time management and continuous learning in education, using the school bell and the concept of a school as a metaphor. He also initiated a reading session for the team, focusing on a book titled "My Good School", and encouraged participants to reflect on their thoughts and learnings. The teachers were also encouraged to explore new words and concepts in the book and to bring their book and a pencil to the next session for note-taking.

Next steps

• All participants will bring copies of the "My Good School" book to the next reading session.

• Teachers will comment on the blog post for the "School Bell" chapter, sharing their reflections or new words learned.

• Minakshi will encourage teachers to write comments in English or Hindi in the blog post.

• All participants must have a pencil ready during the next reading session to make notes and mark unfamiliar words in their books.

• Minakshi will discuss incorporating the weekly reading session into their timetable with teachers.

• All participants to reflect on the meaning of going to school and the purpose of the school bell before the next session.

Comment below the post: 

https://www.learningforward.co.in/2014/06/the-school-bell-first-lesson-in-time.html

Summary

Friday Reading Session Initiation

Sandeep initiated a discussion with Devanand, Minakshi, Shakshi, and Suman from the Arthur Food Academy. They moved from a webinar to a meeting for better interaction. Sandeep then led a reading session of the chapter "School Bell" from a book. However, Minakshi was unable to access the book and requested a ticket. The conversation ended with Sandeep welcoming everyone to the Friday afternoon reading session.

Significance of the School Bell

Sandeep discusses the significance of the school bell as a tool for time management and its role in shaping the school day. He describes how the bell's sound energises students, marks activities throughout the day, and becomes an integral part of the school experience. Sandeep also emphasises the importance of writing with flow and creating stories within paragraphs, using the description of the school bell as an example.

Effective Time Management in Education

Sandeep used the school bell as a metaphor to discuss the importance of time management in education. He emphasised that effective time management is crucial for teachers and students and can lead to better learning outcomes. He also highlighted the challenges of managing time in a school setting, such as completing lesson plans and ensuring good understanding within a limited time frame. Sandeep suggested that successful time management can lead to leadership and success in various aspects of life. He encouraged the participants to reflect on their time management practices and value their most precious moments. The conversation ended with Sandeep suggesting they read another chapter and share their thoughts in a WhatsApp session.

Continuous Learning and School Ecosystems

Sandeep discussed the importance of continuous learning and the role of schools in fostering this mindset. He emphasised that knowledge is not limited to a specific period or institution but is an ongoing process throughout life. Sandeep also highlighted the need to appreciate the joy of learning and not just view education as a basic necessity. He used the metaphor of a school as an environment or ecosystem rather than a physical structure to emphasise the importance of creating a conducive learning environment. The discussion concluded with an invitation for participants to reflect on the meaning of going to school and the reasons behind the current educational system.

Reading Session on Friday for the book "My Good School”

Sandeep led a reading session for the team, focusing on a book titled "My Good School". He emphasized the importance of reflection and encouraged participants to write their thoughts and learnings in the comments section of the blog post. Sandeep also stressed the need for participants to bring their book and a pencil to the next session for note-taking. The team was encouraged to explore new words and concepts in the book. Minakshi and Suman were present and participated in the discussion.

Read more on Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/school-bell-my-first-lesson-time-management-sandeep-dutt/

AI-generated content may be inaccurate or misleading. Always check for errors and ommissions.

A School Called Home: Masterclass Saturday 18th January 2025

Chapter 11: A School Called Home: Shomie Das The Man Who Saw Tomorrow by Naga Tummala 

Q1. The mother in the chapter plays a vital role in shaping the child's learning experience by reading stories and ensuring a nurturing environment. How can schools engage parents more actively in their child’s learning journey? How can teachers collaborate with families to extend learning beyond the classroom?

Q2. Like the one in the chapter, a child learns to read, write, and do arithmetic in a home-based setting for a few hours daily. The routine includes storytelling, exploration, and breaks for creativity. There is a strong emphasis on balancing academics with free play. As a teacher, what strategies (e.g., differentiated learning, project-based learning) can you adopt in your classroom to replicate the flexibility and individual focus of a homeschooling environment?

Q3. Drawing from the idea of a "home-like" atmosphere, what elements (e.g., comfort, emotional security, a sense of belonging) can you bring into your teaching space to support your students' growth and well-being?

Q4. What are the key advantages and challenges of homeschooling compared to traditional schooling, especially regarding academic growth, social skills, and emotional well-being? How can traditional schools incorporate elements of homeschooling to address these areas?"

Gurdeep Kaur
The Teacher's Academy
GK@LearningForward.org.in

Schools Can Change Only If?

From time to time, I’m approached by schools who want to change their ways and improve to become leaders. But actually, they don’t want to change. Rather, they want slow change. In nature, slow change is like iron rusting. It’s not like a plant growing that has multiple interventions active on it. 

They want change where they feel in control. Yet they bemoan that change takes long. They want instant results. So they look for scapegoats, shop around for alternatives, or abandon the slow task midway. Sounds familiar? Some are so daunted by the road map they don’t even start. The beginner’s paralysis maintains status quo with a few cosmetic changes that are proclaimed from rooftops.

They are often in denial about current status and very reluctant to put their reality to test which could result in pain and break long built self and organisational images.

People equate the familiar with safety and change with danger. Human beings don’t always do what is good for them or move away from what is harmful. Habit rules. Successful people break the mould, are proactive rather than reactive, think critically and creatively, are aware of the stakes and factors involved. This means they are not short sighted, or impatient.

The other factor that affects organisations is the time factor. They must be aware of the competition and relevance of keeping with the progress of the times. Some changes like linguistic proficiency take time and cannot be achieved by a single-point decision. Thus, time is of the essence. You can’t order critical thinking for lunch!

Freud likened the act of change to the death of a loved one. There is pain and grief and mourning. So is it a surprise that we bemoan the miseries of the world that seems bereft of common sense in solving long standing problems? It is important for us to know who we are, and how our psyche operates in order to make the right decisions. In academics, you can’t change just one factor as a baby step without considering the others. 

Most Heads of schools want a consultant to baby sit teachers every week preferably for a pittance. In the end, if things don’t work out, there is always an outsider to blame. But teacher training is just one part. 

Then there are pedagogical methods that must be implemented without second guessing and resistance. An in house supervisor to oversee this implementation. Resources like textbooks, teaching manuals, assessments, feedback on classrooms. 

If the teachers have to reinvent the wheel to match the interdisciplinary aspects, critical thinking, or progressive goals taught by the trainer, without the right resources or know how, they will end up having to do these themselves, and badly. Teaching will go back to the auto pilot of square one of old habit. 

Consider these points to make bolder and wiser decisions instead of patchwork, band aid and short cut ones. Change is an audacity. It’s not for the lily livered. #managingchange #factors #time #keepingrelevant

The original post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/usha-pandit-02727125_managingchange-factors-time-activity-7126082267541553152-cFpX

Usha Pandit 
usha_mail@yahoo.com
No edits or changes were made, the post is reproduced from Usha's profile, please.

Founder CEO at Mindsprings India

They Need Structure (and So Do You)

THE DAILY DAD

June 9

The message is for teachers and parents and a life lesson for all.

If a person puts even one measure of effort into following ritual and the standards of righteousness, he will get back twice as much. - XUNZI

If you talk to a sleep expert about sleep training your infant, they'll tell vou: kids need structure and routine. If you talk to an educational expert about helping your kid do better in school, they'll tell you: structure and routine. If you talk to a behavioral expert about helping your kid behave, they'll tell you: structure and routine. Hell, if you talk to a dog trainer, they'll tell you the same thing about your pet: structure and routine (and exercise).

Pretty much whatever the problem or whatever the issue, structure and routine are the solution. Which makes sense. The world is scary. So much ofit is new and overwhelming. But if you give them structure and routine, they can relax because they have less to figure out, and less to worry about. Instead, they can explore. They can get comfortable and accept things. They can feel safe.

But what about you? What about Mom and Dad? Do you maintain structure and routine for yourself? You put them to bed at the same time each night, but do you wing it after that? You plan their dinners in advance ... but what about your lunch at work? You give them quiet playtime in the afternoon and downtime on the weekends. But do you create that kind of regular time for yourself? Structure and routine are essential ho matter who or how old you are. They're important for kids and they're important for parents.

And guess what-when you keep a routine for yourself... it's easier to keep them on one.

Page 181 from Ryan Holiday’s book The Daily Dad, published by Profile Books. 

Hope - Saloni Grover

 The world out there beckons to me,

Whichever way I look there is pain and misery.

Injustice, suspicion, distrust lurks behind,

Every face is a mask, a true friend is hard to find.

Disheartened, discontented, disillusioned

I do not know where to go...

With tears in my eyes and my heart beating with uncertainity,

I tell myself; let the river of time flow.

I want to scream, make myself heard,

Be fearless, unflustered, soar like a bird.

There is something that holds me back with force,

Pins me to the ground, there is sorrow and remorse.

Not knowing what to do

I submit and surrender to fate

Accustomed to sorrow, soon I will be, solitude will be my soulmate.

A bright flash of light makes my heart skip a beat,

And what do I see, Hope herself comes knocking and drops a smile at my feet. Is that a dream, an illusion or destiny’s new trick.

I turn around, warmth and love comes flowing from every window and brick. There is song that echoes in the air,

Tells me to open the doors of my heart and cheer.

The wave of time washes away my wounds,

Soothes the scars,

There is a new moon that shines bright, a new sunrise is not far.

Saloni Grover
Gyanshree School

We are celebrating the value of Hope in June at My Good Schools. Experience the joy of learning, visit www.GoodSchools.in

Happiness and Tolerance - Shalini Solanki

   Dealing with ‘An Unhappy student.’

I still remember a student studying in my class 3 years ago. I was the grade mentor of one of the sections of K.G. She was a new student in the school, and I knew nothing about her. I met her for the first time and made a perception that this child has some special needs and she is not able to understand instructions. She started coming to school regularly, and I noticed a similar pattern each day, like not eating her meal; after circle time, she used to stand near my chair without speaking anything, used to get shocked at any sound and would not make friends. 

Every day during circle time, everybody used to have free discussions about their likes/ dislikes, favourite person, place, problems etc. One day, every child spoke, she was quiet, and even after motivating her, she chose not to speak. I thought of giving her some more time. That day she came to me and asked me to write a letter to her mother. When I asked her what to write, she told me the entire story that her mother was living in London and expecting another child. The mother couldn’t come to India because of her work commitment and medical issues, and this child was not able to go with her father because of some visa issues. For 6-8 months, she stayed without her mother.

Every day this child would come to me after the circle time and share her feelings. She would come with a piece of paper every day with colour pencils and used to dictate her letter. She wanted me to draw her mother with her baby sister and some gifts. Surprisingly, she would keep all the letters with me and not take them home. I got to know about the root problem. After speaking to her father and mother, we started working together in a similar direction, where we gave her enough time to speak her heart out. Her mother was advised to speak to her every day and explain that soon she would be with her mother. On the PTM, I handed over all the letters from Aadvika to her father for her mother.

She was an entirely changed child and used to participate in all the activities, laugh, make many friends, and improve her academics. Finally, she went to London, but the habit of discussion in circle time activity continued. She would call me from there frequently to discuss her new school and life.

My advice to educators:

• To be patient
• Never jump to a conclusion
• Make a habit of changing perceptions
• Give time to your students
• Trust students- sometimes they know more than us
• Respect their feelings and be alert to their silence
• Teachers have a magic wand that can make desirable changes

Dealing with ‘An Intolerant student.’

I had a student in my class who was very bold, talented, outspoken and intelligent. She had a problem agreeing with others. She would go to any extent to show her disapproval. If she was asked to share anything, she would run from the class, not eat anything or sit on the floor. Even in the class assemblies, she wanted a solo role without anything scripted. She would listen to no one in the school. Parents also had a similar opinion about her. Once, another teacher in my class said her ‘no’ to check her work first and asked her to wait for her turn. This student punched the teacher in her stomach. 

Now we know that she will not be handled by anyone this way. So we started avoiding her behaviour for some time after speaking to this student’s parents. When she used to sit on the floor to grab attention, we would praise her and say that we must respect her choice; she is more comfortable sitting here. When she used to disagree to share things with her peers, we stopped insisting she share, and after a few weeks, she realised that everybody was sitting in different groups and working, and she was sitting alone. When she insisted on participating independently, we would tell her that we do not have such roles with us, and she would have to wait for other assemblies to experience them. We used to share stories related to her problems during circle time, where indirectly, she got messages of loving, caring and sharing.

Gradually, she was a changed girl totally. Now she realised that she would have to give consideration to get the respect. She started loving her teachers, and she made almost everyone her friends. She participated happily with the entire group on an annual day. She is a changed and happy child now. Her parents are pleased with the changed personality of their child; they always wanted to see her.

My advice to educators:

• To be patient
• Sometimes a different approach can work
• Share stories indirectly catering for the problem
• Give time to your students
• Trust yourself and your capabilities
• The child is a clay container. Mould the way you want.

Shalini Solanki
Gyanshree School, Noida

JOL Cohort 2022

Creative: Am I the one?

“Creativity” – I googled this term and found these 7 possible ways through which we can make our children creative.

• Make Children Question Things. ...
• Provide Opportunities to Express Their Intelligence. ...
• Teach Them Multiple Ways to Solve Every Problem.
• Trigger Their Curiosity.
• Engage Them With Activity Boxes.
• Encourage Children to Read for Pleasure.
• Give Them Free Time & Space.

And it’s a challenge in front of the entire education community to adopt the above methods excellently and make our kids the new age – Picasso, Einstein or Shakespeare. We have enough thoughts. Let’s look at it retrospectively.

Fear kills creativity

The real reason why we don’t’ move creatively ahead always is fear. People are afraid that they don’t have the talent, or they’ll be rejected, judged, insulted, criticised or ignored. They have tumbling piles of fear. 

• Abundance starts with appreciation and a feeling of being accepted by the community. Including appreciation and acceptance in our methodologies can tap the hidden potential in our children.

The Art of making mistakes

We keep instilling this very idea in the minds of our children that they have to be right, and by the time they become adults, they lose their capacity of committing mistakes. They become frightened of being wrong. We stigmatize mistakes. By this, we are educating people out of their capacities.

• Allow mistakes to happen in a classroom – Children are not frightened of being wrong. They are not frightened of making mistakes. 

In the words of Picasso -All children are born artists. The problem is to remain an artist as we grow up.

I believe passionately that we don’t grow into creativity; we grow out of it. Or rather, we get educated out of it. Creativity is as important in education as literacy, and we should treat it with the same status. 

Story: A small incident from a grade 2 drawing class gave me a clear picture of confidence taking the shape of creativity.

A girl was drawing something in a class, and the teacher asked – What are you drawing?

The girl said I am drawing a picture of god. 

The teacher asked, but nobody knows what god looks like.

The girl answered - “They will in a minute.”

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes and grow.

Nibbrati Rathore is an educator at the Gyanshree School, Noida

She is a Life Members and volunteer on the National Training Team of Learning Forward India.

You can join Learning Forward, find out more at 

www.SchoolEducation.com.

Failures are the stepping stones to success - Nikita Rajpurohit

Always remember the obstacles which you face or the failures are the stepping stones to success. It is from those mistakes which makes us a better person and strive hard to our dream destination. Our mistakes teach us what went wrong and how to correct it. Each and every human has come across a phase in their life which they thought was their hardest part of their life. However, this particular phase taught them to become bigger and better. Time and experience have proved to be the best teachers they can be. Every wrong or bad decision we take has a life lesson that we learn. Time is a way of telling how far you have come. Experience is a way of telling how strong you have become. We need to learn from the mistakes that we make. In this wake, we make a stronger version of ourselves that later becomes indestructible. Only from a proper experience phase of your life, you learn how to judge anything and everything in an unbiased manner. A fraction of us has to fall a couple of times on the same stone before they learn that particular lesson. Knowledge is wisdom. Knowledge is everything. The knowledge you have helps you to make a good or bad judgement of the current situations.

Einstein once mentioned, “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” We can completely agree with this great mathematician’s statement. It is the new experience and new exposures that teach you new things. With every new fall, you learn something new. If you are not ready to let yourself fall, then you cannot teach yourself anything new. If you do not do that, you will continue to have bad experiences and it becomes a loop from which you can never get out. This leads to denial, losing self-confidence and blaming others for your experiences. You enter into that stage of your life where you focus only on the negative impacts happening to you. Learning from your mistakes is not easy. Nobody said it was simple. But once you do, you can trust yourself. You believe that you have the power to do anything.

You grow internally and externally when you realize your mistakes. You learn how to prevent the same mistakes from happening again. Some of our mistakes can bring us down and prove to be very dangerous. It may run us into a trap that seems to eat you up. Regardless of the mistake you made, you have to carefully observe and analyze the situation and take the necessary steps. We all are humans. We make mistakes. But it is these mistakes that teach us. So keep learning from your mistakes.

Nikita Rajpurohit <nra@fabindiaschools.in> The Fabindia School

Time Is Money - Punita Chouhan

It is rightly said time is more precious than money. Money once lost can be regained sooner or later, but time once lost is lost forever. There is a famous saying that 'Time and Tide waits for none'.

A lost opportunity may spoil one's life. Those who do not listen to the alarm of time, repent afterwards. A wise person waits for proper and opportune time. If he/she makes full use of it he/she leads a successful and happy life. It is no doubt advisable to change the plans according to the time. Whatever the job be, it is of paramount importance for everyone to make use of time to be successful. Hence learn not to waste time.

Punita Chouhan, The Fabindia School <pch@fabindiaschools.in>

COVID 19. A viewpoint

With no sign of schools reopening in the near future, parents and schools are starting to panic. The only way of facing this crisis is head-on. It may sound a bit radical and far-fetched, but this prolonged period of lockdown can also be seen as a blessing in disguise for the children. The parents and children need to relax and make the best of the present situation. In our world, whether it is flora or fauna when the chips are down, they adapt. Today, too, the answer to all the problems is adaptability. 

Some schools today are going overboard with classes online. Four hours of online classes at a stretch, 5 to 6 times a week is causing more harm than good. Instead of being facilitators, the teachers are resorting to the old formula of spoon-feeding. The children in this situation should be guided and get used to research work. This is also a good time to catch up with reading and improving languages. Children must read one to two hours a day and spend 20 - 30 minutes a day reading aloud.  This is also a good time to improve their vocabulary and general awareness. It’s not as bleak a picture as people and schools and parents are making it out to be.

New interest in music and art can be a stress remover. Regular writing on various interesting subjects is a good suggestion.  100 to 200 words of writing a day will help in improving expression, vocabulary and flow of thought. Writing is a very important exercise.

This period should be treated as a sabbatical and children must not be put under pressure by parents and teachers. This period could be treated as a year of home-schooling and quality time with family.

As for the 35% of students from remote areas who cannot access online classes; they survived earlier and will do so now.  Their resilience is exemplary.

Another thing the children of all ages and adults need to do is keep fit. When space and outdoors are not available, the best bet and a friend is a skipping rope. Skipping three to five minutes, to begin with, with short breaks, is a great way of keeping fit. One can then gradually increase the time to ten minutes.  Add to this 20 to 30 minutes of stretching exercises and you have a fitness programme. Yoga can definitely help.

What families need to do is that everyone finds one’s space and is the master of one’s own time. It’s important not to get on each other’s nerves. One needs to be busy and stay out of each other’s way. If one manages to mind ones’ own business, the atmosphere at home will be a happy one. There is no point fretting over the future of the children at this stage. This too will blow over. When the time comes to go back to a normal life, one must not be found wanting in mental wellness and physical fitness. 

The coming world is going to be about relationships and adaptability. Those who can take care of this will eventually end up as happy, content and successful human beings.

Rajinder Pal Devgan <rpdevgan@gmail.com>, Chairman Learning Forward India