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.
