Dr Renu Gupta
In the changing paradigm of education, the aspirations of parents and children have drastically changed. This paradigm shift is challenging for all of us. 21st-century education is not about technology or skills but creativity, cultural awareness, problem-solving, innovation, civic management, communication productivity, collaboration, accountability, exploration, initiative, responsibility, leadership and so on. 21st-century parents have to meet the needs of 21st-century learners. In fact they have to understand this new complex dynamics.
Skill shifting is rapid these days and parents must play an active role to understand how to tap these trends and help mould their children. Presently we are in a world where different rules and systems are coming into conflict with one another. It is a challenging time for parents,though it is hard to keep up with their child’s world today ,yet understanding their child’s emotions is the need of the hour. Parental bonding helps a child feel safe ,secured ,nurtured and loved and has deep impact on the psychological development of the child. Parents are also trying to balance work pressure, handle uncertainty and coping up with the increased expectations. Over the years their expectations have skyrocketed. They have to understand that it is neither the strongest species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change.
Parents have to educate their children in such a manner that they attain a strong conviction that we are born in this world to live for a great cause, to live for a purpose- a purpose for life with a sense of dedication. They have to develop some specific skills that can help children to rely on themselves rather than upon us. Important is to train them in self help and skills which will really make them independent and confident . Most often child’s goal is that of parents unfulfilled aspirations. Parents have to understand that there is more to a child’s life than academic success . Education is not only Academics but it is constant improvement and constant change. Today’s parent role is more of a facilitator and a guide . Each parent expects that his child must excel, succeed and be the first in every field. Child is the status symbol for them who raises their expectations as the child grows older.
Raising child is one of the toughest but most fulfilling jobs in the world. John F. Kennedy rightly said that ” Not every child has an equal talent , and an equal ability or equal motivation, but children have the equal right to develop their talent, ability and their motivation.” Parents should help their child in discovering and knowing himself through SWOT Analysis, teaching what to learn and how to learn and developing 21st century skills. New Age parenting, healthy relationships, understanding emotions and other strategies and guidelines may help the parents to support and understand their child .
The changing value system, social setup, digitisation and social media have a great impact on the psyche of children . It is better if we understand that the future education for a child is a way of living, growing and progressing. For a teacher it is a specific attitude. For the parent it is empowering their child. For the school it is life long learning and for the Nation it is the global citizen and a good human being. Their main responsibility is to prepare children to be ethical within a changing dynamics. They must develop their Emotional Quotient ,Social Quotient, Passion Quotient , 4 C’s , Empathy and help them to learn to be adaptable and agile in changing context and encourage them to critically analyse the ethical dimension in all aspects of their lives because It is very important to keep pace with the changing world.
We all have the power in our hands to make that small difference for the Big Change. We have to look for the answers that what our children need to learn today to be prepared for tomorrow and what do children of today need to deal with the present as well as the future. Some New Age parenting techniques need to be developed by the parents. They have to be the first teacher, guide, mentor and better role model to the child. They don’t have to impose their unfulfilled ambitions on them.They have to connect with their child and involve them in problem solving. They have to avoid 3C’s ( criticism, comparison, and complaint). Parents have to know their children, identify their talent , teach them to manage failure and disappointments, help them understand their emotions and guide them in setting and meeting the goals with a positive attitude. They need to manage several requirements of life along with the essential parental duties. Parenting in this age of rapidly changing technology is like chasing a moving goal. In this complete process parents live a world of joy through the fulfilment of their dreams .
Let us set the stage for eliminating unrealistic pressures from the minds of the new generation . With love, care, support, trust our children will be able to acquire inner peace which in turn will make their life better and happier.
Together may we give our children the roots to grow and the wings to fly….
(The author is Principal (retd) APS Damana)
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