All parents want the very best future for their child.They want them to be more successful,more famous and most importantly, more Happy than they were in their lifetimes.But sadly,few parents realize how crucial it is to begin implementing child development strategies at an early stage.It is in most cases the sheer perseverance of parents that reveals the otherwise hidden talent of the child.
Gone are the days of growing up with siblings and cousins when there was always something to do.As children,we played hide and seek, running and catching.... until dark.Hopscotch,running races,jumping rope and playing dog&the bone were our favorites. We could play at the park a block away, or ride our bikes until dinner time,and we did. Watching the television was not our priority(may be due to the lack of channels available?)So by default,we had a lot of physical activity and since we played in big groups socializing became our second nature....our contribution to the maintenance of the household....Clearing up toys,tidying up our cupboards & bed and taking care of siblings, promoted our responsibility and independence.
The current generation children's life-style is however a different ball game.Times and Needs have changed.The common trend today is working parents with a single child.With no siblings or cousins(in worse cases no neighbours of same age-group) to play with,children are either glued to the television or play- station!The sad truth is that they are starved for options...Getting the child off the couch or the internet can many a time be a challenge and of grave concern to the parents.
Thanks to the talent hunt and Star Search programs that have mushroomed across local,regional,national and international channels over the past few years!Well,there have been and will be debates about children participating and being judged at a tender age.But I personally regard these reality talent shows as a boon for the current generation children!
By nature, humans are competitive.Starting in the womb,we compete all the way from securing a window seat in the school bus,winning that coveted honour for the school in an interschool competition,attaining subsequent promotions at our work place....the list goes on...don't we even compete everyday as we are driving home from work,trying to switch lanes competing with the drivers ahead and behind. So, why not allow children to learn how to express their competitiveness in a healthy environment such as a talent show?
Such shows have even encouraged parents to enroll their children in an arts class or sports training.They are a platform for children to either unveil their obscured potentials or fortify their innate abilities.Single children's lonliness is vanquished by comaraderie.The exposure children get at that age is amazing and in the long run prepares them to establish a career!Apart from being mentally and physically active children learn to socialise!So be it tapping a talent,making friends (some that last for a lifetime) or interacting with peers...talent shows can be given a thumbs up!
Young children may be disappointed if they lose a competition but mere participation leaves them richer in experience and wiser by the day!Talent shows fosters a healthy competitive environment and teach them good sportsmanship.By allowing them handle impromptu situations and participation in extemporaneous talent shows not only strenghtens their self-confidence but also ensures that they are independent and responsible.
Two talent shows,viz, "Super Singer Junior"and "Thamizh Pechu Engal Muchu Chuttigal" are really worth mentioning.We(my husband and I)were bowled over by the performance of the children.We were taken aback by their spirit and attitude !.A few contesting children left us dumbfounded...I am at a loss for words for describing the budding talents.To quote William Wordsworth, "Child is father to man"(-People's personalities form when they are children; A person will have the same qualities as an adult that he or she had as a child!)
Chinmayi Sripada,Sunidhi Chauhan,Shreya Ghoshal,Usher Raymond,Christina Aguilera,Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake are just a few examples of raw talent that was identified at talent shows for children!(PS-not all were winners!)
For those of us in the world who don't believe in competitiveness or think it's unhealthy,remember,our population is growing by the day....it is a world where the fittest survives.
Hey akka:) Very nice one :) And it s true of course:)
ReplyDeleteHi Savi,
ReplyDeleteI do agree with the fact that kids of these days do not get physical activities as much as we used to get.
I am Sorry I completely disagree with you about the competitions. I have seen, trained and taken many kids to participate in competitions including mine. The pressure these children undergo during these competitions or rather even before participating is so high that it even made me choke while comforting them during practice sessions. Many kids do not even sleep at night. It is not worth it.Let the children be children. There are ofcourse a few who are really talented and are meant for competitions but the rest are all pushed either due to peer pressure or just to fullfil their parents dream.
If a child is really talented, it will definetely be revealed eventually in someway or the other, if a proper freedom to act and to speak is given at home. It is a wrong notion to think that all kids can get glued to PS and TV. Just let the kids free and they choose their act of recreation.
Sugiprym
Hi Sugika..to begin with thanks for your time.Well,talking about children being children..not all children willingly go to school initially...yet parents relentlessly push them.Right from the entrance for the tiny tots entering the school phase...upto college levels and further,academics plays a vital role irrespective of the child's abilities.Examinations are a widely accepted norm that we dont crib about although most children experience examination fever,sleepless nights and get worn out in the name of exams.And yet we have not stopped taking up exams or going to schools.All this is done in the name of doing the best for the child...so when academic competing is accepted without a hiccup...why not extra-cirrucular activities?We might have a Mozart or Picasso hidden among the Marie Curies and Einsteins.
ReplyDeleteNot all children are taken seriously when it comes to their interests other than academics,though people are slowly changing and in the meanwhile,the role of talent shows in this transition is definitely commendable!
Sugika I dont blame or assume kids get glued to the TV or PS,but say that many children (atleast in this region and many nations)have no much options to while away their time.
(P.s)There may be exceptions but exceptions dont form the rule)
Hi Savi,
ReplyDeleteI do not want this to be an online dabate as views differ from person to person.
Kids are reluctant to do many things, but as parents we must know what should be forced and what should not be. Hope you know that most kids do not even want to eat. We cannot let them go. Likewise, academics is a necessity and and extra curriculam is not, for which kids need not be pressurised. Even the kids those who are extremely talented, take it from me in writing, find the competitions pressurising. I think you have missed watching the interviews of the winners and their parents after any competitions.( You, here are talking only about those who have won). About the rejected kids....it's a different story. In many cases kids lose their self confidance.
Moreover, I do not remember reading about Mozart or picasso or anybody whom you have mentioned taking part in any competitions until they proved themselves(definitely not Einstein). I repeat, Wherever the child is, if he/she is good or interested in something they go only in that direction eventually. Platforms like competitions might only make it a bit easy.
PS: Trained children are not talented children.
In any rule, we cannot completely ignore the exceptions.
Sorry about not agreeing on your views.
Sugika,it is okay if people reading my article do not agree with me.Each induvidual has his/her own ideas,opinions & experiences and I definitely respect them.I express my personal views and share information that I know in my blog.Blogs are open to interpretation;an issue that is open to questions.
ReplyDeleteWell,you seem to be so averse towards competitions.Competitions are not only about winning and losing but doing your best!The individual's attitude to competitions has to be positive whatever the outcome ...yes,winning can be rewarding but I think we,as parents need to inculcate the young with a sense of sportsmanship even when they dont make it(be it competitions or academics).We have a responsibility of preparing them for such endeavours they might face in future rather than expressing our dissapointment when they fail to acheive.
And about Picasso and Mozart...Curie and Einstein,I never said they participated in competitions...My point was,these child prodigies BOTH in ARTS and SCIENCE,were recognised and encouraged to pursue their interests from a YOUNG AGE,by their parents and family.But today,in our race for academic excellence,many(not all) of us either overlook or ignore a child's other talents....which is rather sad.Star search programs offers a helping hand to identify these little wonders at a tender age.Though training & competitions of any form and in any field,including academics,does not guarantee talent,definitely builds confidence,assurance and self-reliability.
Exceptions are ignored most of the time....buttons in clothes for example,are designed keeping the right handed in mind...not the left!
once again Sugika,you are not obliged to accept my views and need not feel sorry about it!
I use to enjoy Bajaj Saptha Swarangal a lot a few years ago. Whole family will be pinned to the show during that whole hour. All our other activities will be paused.
ReplyDeleteToday morning in the fish market, I saw two cute kids (girls) comparing their heights. It reminded the health drinks advertisements on TV.
This evening, I noticed a 7 year old kid drawing stars. I asked her whether she wants to learn to draw some animals and birds. She said yes. She showed lot of interest and repeated what ever I drew. I was pleased to see her talent and soon I ran out of pictures I knew to draw. Then I told her that she can draw anything she can see. I showed her a chair and helped her to draw. Then I showed her a shoe and she drew it herself. She was happy. I was happy.
If children are talented, competitive it is great if parents support and encourage!
If children are forced, manipulated and strategically brought-up to win because their parents want it, that is sick!
This is my personal opinion
I like your blogs, you do a thorough job.
Have you read Khalil Gibran's writings about children?
Thanks for your time and opinion anna.Khalil Gibran's work about children has always been one of Shanthi's favorite....so I have read it!
ReplyDeleteKhalil Gibran's 'The Prophet' no doubt provides timeless spiritual wisdom but it is very difficult for most of us(not all)to live with such detachment in life.
Hey,
ReplyDeleteRefreshing to see someone say that being competitive is not bad. The pressure that kids undergo in any field comes from expectations set by parents. The attitude to compete and win is however inherent. Blaming the pressure brought about by external reasons should not stop us from providing a platform for children to compete.
Its for the parents to teach their children how to handle "failure". Protecting children from stress by doing away with competitions, is to deny them life and to allow them to vegetate.
In a family, parents are responsible for the welfare of the children and offer the children an embracing, unconditional love that overlooks and compensates for their weaknesses. Through their example, they teach their children the basic values and attitudes which they will carry throughout life. The children, in turn, respect their parents as the source of their very being, as their teachers, and as the ones who have labored and sacrificed for their sakes. When they are grown, they should be responsible to care for their parents in their old age. These relative responsibilities should not be undertaken as a matter of duty, but rather emerge from the spontaneous promptings of parental love and the children's gratitude and respect. This is the vertical axis defining relations of love and respect between people of unequal status and different responsibilities.
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hey Savi,
ReplyDeleteNice blog..interesting stuffs..useful informations..enlighting debates...good work!!! keep it up...
In this particular topic, I agree with Vijayalakshmi. Children are children and let them be one. Why force them. Why put pressure on them?
I was working in a call center and the people who work are about 23 and above..As we all know, as Indians, we have what westerners call ACCENT...or rather mother tongue influence. To correct this, we are given voice and accent training. As a trainer, I havee seen that even a good English speaker struggles after this training because of the pressure of accent training.
When tihs can happen to a 23-year-old, think what would happen to just a 5-year-old with all those competitions, pressure, and the forced attitude to be the first. Not to be forgotten, when the kids fail to win, they lose their confidence and get a complex and their future performances also are spoiled.
It is good that parents now-a-days understand the value of extracurricular acitivities and encourage their children to get involved in them but care should also be given to know and understand the kid's potential and his/her interest in fields they want to enter and see that the parents bring the best out of them with interest but not with pressure.
Once again, Savi keep up this great work..!!!