The Journey

Montessori for your child?
October 20, 2015
Importance of our Multi-lingual Culture
November 11, 2015
Show all

The Journey

Many a times I have heard of the saying which goes “It is not just reaching the destination; the journey is important too”. While on a walk this morning, a thought struck me and I felt I should share it with all of you.

Let’s take a situation: a few youngsters, on completion of their graduation, with the same marks and land in similar jobs, in the same company. Now, some of them soar to new heights in their career very soon whereas, some have slower growth.

Have you ever wondered why this is so?

It is the general belief that the child needs an education to either get a job or to successfully take over the family business. Education meaning, they go to pre-school, primary school, middle school, high school and then college to earn a degree. What is considered important is successfully completing grade 10 with good marks and successfully completing graduation again with good marks.

Very few think of the journey of the child from 2.5 years to 16 years of age when they complete their 10th. Getting a 95% in the 10th is important, but what else has the child learnt or experienced during the 10 to 13 years of schooling prior to that? That is equally important. That comprises the journey of the child.

The richer the journey in the form of experiences and learning, the better will be the career growth of the child when they start working. They are prepared to take small risks and expand their business, if they are looking after the family business.

So as a parent, I make sure that homework and revision of class work is given importance. But I ensure that my daughter involves herself in sports, music, dance, drama, art, etc. and of course free play with her friends each day. Make sure you child learns to sing. Your child need not have a voice like Lata Mangeshkar. Being a bathroom singer is enough to make him/her happy when he/she feels low.

Make sure you choose a school which: gives importance to extra-curricular activities, gives importance to sports, which gives importance to public speaking (making each child in the class speak before their own class is enough), last and most important, one which gives importance to your child for who he/she is. Once you find a place like this, half the battles of parenting are won.

Shivamala Narasappa
Shivamala Narasappa
Shivamala has been teaching children using the Montessori methods in India and abroad. She has trained in the USA and has a Diploma in Montessori education from AMI (Association Montessori Internationale along with a Masters in Education (M.Ed.) degree from Loyola college in Maryland (USA). Shivamala also has B.Sc. and MBA degrees.Teaching and working with children is a passion, that inspired her to start her own Montessori pre-school in Richmond town, Bangalore.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *