Become a True Well-Wisher of Your Children
Teaching and learning of children is a subtle process, and minimum knowledge of this process is essential for every parent and guardian. In the absence of this understanding, even though parents may work hard to teach their children, the results are not favourable. The children get spoiled, become defiant, and do not listen to them. Then the parents lose faith in them — they start scolding or patronizing children in front of everyone. In such a case, the condition does not improve; instead, it worsens further.
It is, therefore, necessary for the parents and guardians to have an understanding of basic child psychology. The child's mind is like a lump of wet clay, which can be moulded in any desired shape. Further, the child is born with some natural inborn talent and originality. We should provide a suitable environment for their development, create situations from which they can learn, and remove the obstacles in this process so that they can learn and grow independently. The key to this is our friendly and sensitive behaviour.
Freedom to Learn from Mistakes
The most important thing is that if children make mistakes in the process of learning, they should not be ridiculed, nor should they be reprimanded. Allow them to learn from their own mistakes. If they still do not understand, then repeatedly explain it to them with love. They should not be afraid of being ridiculed or reprimanded for their mistakes. In this way, they will learn very quickly, and their development will proceed smoothly.
Allow them the freedom to agree and disagree freely as their thinking is expanding. Give them the freedom to understand and learn from their life experiences. They don't need to hold on to the same profession that you or your family is pursuing. Do not forcefully impose your wishes on them. It is the primary duty of every parent and guardian to respect and honour the inborn talent, interests, and needs of the children.
Initially, out of pressure from you, they might walk on the path you have shown, but they will ultimately pick up a profession according to their interest and inborn talent. When this happens, it can cause a profound shock to the parents, and they accuse their children of arrogance, defiance, or stubbornness. Very few parents could realize that this was bound to happen.
Nurturing Curiosity and Intellectual Growth
Children are naturally inquisitive. To satisfy their curiosity, they can shower their elders with tons of questions. Elders should try to satisfy their curiosity by answering these questions with exceptional insights and patience. Try to provide an appropriate solution to every aspect related to the thing, person, or event that they are curious about. If possible, try to teach them through the use of audio or video, where they can learn by watching and listening. In this way, they will understand the concept more deeply, which will enhance their intellectual growth.
The most important thing is to find time for your children and talk to them. This will increase their awareness, increase their proficiency in the language, as well as develop an intimate connection with you. Children can be given knowledge about new things through stories — children especially like stories. Apart from this, new ideas and lessons can be taught to children through songs and riddles.
Even more important than this are real-life examples. In particular, the conduct and behaviour of parents and guardians are of the utmost importance in teaching life-long lessons to children. Children learn more from what we are doing and not by what we are saying. Therefore we should avoid giving too many lectures and advice to children.
Well-Rounded Development
Along with this, you should provide opportunities for children to work independently. Give them the chance to understand life and interact with others. Education and job are not everything in life, as some parents believe. Along with academic qualifications, physical-mental development, intellectual growth, emotional stability, etc. are also essential facets. Most people remain unaware of the most crucial aspect — the spiritual growth of children in the form of ethical/moral values and virtues in life.
Parents and guardians must provide a proper environment and create an atmosphere for the well-rounded development of children. It is also imperative to guard them against any obstructing elements in their development. Children are like small plants which need to be protected from harmful elements in the initial stages. When they grow up, they become so intelligent that they know how to deal with various situations. Until then, their parents need to protect them. Parents who take care of these things are rewarded by the successful overall development of their children.
Generosity: A Sign of Nobility and Maturity
Kindness is a sign of maturity. Sharing what is ours with others with open hands and without any expectations in return shows the maturity of our inner state. To self-centred and selfish people, generosity may appear as stupidity or frivolity. Still, a giver is both courageous and farsighted and lives his life like a true knower of the art of living.
When the consciousness of a person ascends to a high state, generosity becomes a part of his nature. He becomes restless if he does not give. When a needy person comes around, his compassion begins to flow towards him spontaneously. Such munificent people do not think of any profit or loss. They consider sacrificial acts in times of need as their rightful duty. Munificent people regard every individual as God's creation — to them, serving aggrieved, needy, and poor becomes an act of serving the Almighty.
The absolute karmic principle of 'Sow and Reap' also applies. In this vast universe, whenever we sow a seed of generousness, it sprouts and bears fruits in time. A grain of wheat grows into a plant and then creates hundreds of wheat grains. Likewise, when we sow good seed by donating in society with goodwill and feelings of cooperation, empathy, and support, it fructifies in numerous ways in time. This is what is known as the bearing of fruits of good deeds.
A wise person understands this principle of the unfolding of karma. Insight into the science of karma makes a person spontaneously generous. He sows his time, energy, resources, wealth, ability, talent, influence, and good qualities with open hands in the field of human society and — like a farsighted farmer — leaves the outcome of his deeds in God's hands but remains trustful that they will bear good results in time. No one can stop the karma of good deeds from producing excellent results. Generosity is the quality of a wise, farsighted, and mature person — and he naturally becomes a rightful recipient of true happiness, peace, and joy in life.
"There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children." — Nelson Mandela
"The greatest legacy one can pass on to one's children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one's life, but rather a legacy of character and faith." — Billy Graham