Encourage kids to play Sports

Kids of today’s generation are bombarded with different technological advancements since their early childhood days.  They are introduced to smartphones, tablets, TVs, computers, laptops, and other gadgets when they are about a year old. While an electronic device isn’t bad for itself, it may encourage children to stay indoors and forget about playing outside the house.

Involving young kids in sports not only improves their physical well-being but also contributes to their psychological and social development. It increases their self-esteem and mental alertness. Games and sports are an integral part of a child’s life. Children should study hard to be successful in life, but, they should also play games and sports to enjoy the health and vigor of life.

We have all heard the old saying “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”.  The benefits of playing sports are multiple, and it leads to balanced mental and physical growth.

Here are a few reasons why sports are important in the development of kids:

• Sports teach children life skills like teamwork, leadership, patience. It inculcates discipline and playing within the rules. Builds sportsmanship, which is to play within the spirits of the game and to deal with both winning and losing with grace. All of these experiences and habits are also useful in adult life.

• Playing and excelling in sports also teaches kids the importance of hard work, perseverance, learning from failure, and the importance of grasping opportunities.

• Sport is a powerful social tool, bringing together people from different ethnic, cultural, religious, linguistic and socio-economic backgrounds.

• There is evidence that sport and play enhance child development and learning and encourage better academic performance.

• Sport encourages and improves physical fitness and reduction of childhood obesity: Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century.

Engaging in outdoor activities builds the right foundation for children so that they become more productive and well-rounded adults in the future. These activities help children improve their physical, emotional, social, and mental health. Thus, it is essential to give children the opportunity to explore the outdoors, play with other kids, and expose them to real-life situations. 

We Should Never Compare Our Kids With Others

Every child is special, every child has its own dreams

We all as parents want our kids to be an all-rounder. We want them to be the best among all. This pushes the kids is under a constant pressure to perform. It is the era of competition now, where children are constantly pressurized to excel. Parents don’t want their children to be complacent, which is why they keep pushing them to do better and better.

We should remember, every child is different, every child is special, every child has its own personality, every child tries to endeavor and focus best in its life. Primarily, every child has its own dreams. In the present age, where competition has spread its tentacles in every walk of life, it is crucial to teach our kids to be grounded. And comparing them with other kids will not help; instead, it will make them lose confidence in themselves.  

Here are some reasons why we should not compare our kids with others:

Every Child Is Different
We should always remember that each child is an individual, and has their own talents and interests. Let them develop their own interests and abilities. They should not feel that they have to be more like a sibling or their friend.

It will affect their self-esteem
One of the really important reasons not to compare your child to others is that it hits their self-esteem hard. How would you like to be constantly compared to others? If we constantly compare our kids with others, it will affect their self-esteem; they will slowly start doubting themselves. It is our job to constantly encourage them at every step they take and not remind them of who else is ahead.

It builds up jealousy
If you keep comparing your kid with his friends or siblings, they may begin to suffer from pangs of extreme jealousy.  Jealousy among kids may translate into a rivalry. Due to the constant comparison, our kids may start feeling incompetent which, in turn, will give birth to jealousy. The child might start viewing the sibling/friend as the enemy.

It will damage the parent-child relationship

If you tell your child time and again that her friend is better than her, she will eventually start despising you. Children are emotionally vulnerable. They may not be able to see the bigger picture and that you are concerned for them. Instead, they will feel that you do not love them.  They will lose their natural confidence and autonomy.

We parents are the first teachers of our children. We are the ones they look up to and we are the ones they come to when they are low. So, it is our duty to strive to put our best foot forward, to let our kids grow each day in a positive environment. Let us tell them every day how special they are.

Comparing your child to others is likely to give them a negative image of themselves. Parenthood isn't a competition, and you don't have to show other parents how much better your child is, or worry that other children are doing better than your own. Gently encourage them to believe in themselves, and help them discover their own talent.

It takes a big heart to shape a little mind

They say it takes a big heart to shape little minds. That statement cannot be truer. Teaching early childhood is a test of teacher’s patience and will. It takes a special heart with a passion to help and nurture little kids and shape them well.

Teachers help our kids grow into responsible and competent learners. Teaching one child, let alone a whole classroom of 15-20 young learners is no simple task. Being an early childhood education teacher requires to have a big heart. They put in great effort, impart knowledge and create sweet school memories for our kids.

Kids might look up to their parents, grandparents, sibling or an extended family member. However, no matter what the structure of their families looks like, teachers are likely to be the first role models that our little ones encounter regularly outside of the home.

On many days, teachers spend more time engaging the kids and teaching them and influencing their behavior more than anyone – including their parents. They provide a learning environment for our kids to encourage their creativity and imaginative play. They plan hands-on activities that stimulate and encourage positive brain connections in children.

Teacher's are special, they are kind, patient and inspirational!  Thank you MMI teachers for teaching Inaaya lessons not just in the textbook, thank you for believing in her, inspiring her and grooming her so well.

Every morning, my little one gets up with a broad smile on her face as she looks forward to going to school. Her affection for her class teacher is beyond words. We can see the hard work of her teachers as she is being molded so well at school. Listening to all her stories, handling all her tantrums, motivating her to do well, encouraging her all the time and managing all the kids together at the same time without losing her patience, does require a big heart.

I am glad my daughter is being nurtured so well by teachers of Modern Montessori International who not only have a big heart but are a perfect example of patience.