Self awareness among children is important
Pune based Shubhangi Warkari, Founder, The Progressive Minds Consultancy, she is a parent, educator and a former media professional who will take us through different aspects of parenting a child in the right way. In this article she explains in detail about self awareness among children and how well do we understand our children.
As a parent, teacher, educator, we believe that we know our kids well! Oh well, it’s good and appreciable that we think we know our children so well, but, that’s not enough, especially in times when everything is changing fast, and getting vulnerable !
The real magic comes when we teach our children to understand themselves, to be aware of how they feel, act, respond and stay happy by developing strong self awareness skills.
Most of you might think that what is the big deal! Well, everyone of us, be it a parent or an educator, we want our children to be safe, happy, and see them successful in their personal and professional lives. But, in this whole process of making their future safe, are we giving them a chance to explore, understand their emotions,thoughts, behaviour, feelings, strengths, weaknesses and dreams? Think!Â
Have you ever thought that why at times we fail to fit in certain things or situations, or just drag ourselves, or can’t raise our opinions?
We may find ourselves lost in our personal and professional lives, trying to cope up with things or fit into things, dragging or bragging over. Well, the answer to this self awareness. It is an integral part of growing up, which differentiates individuals from each other!
Self awareness is the foremost skill that sets the stage for the success of an individual. If our children understand their feelings, emotions, aware of their abilities and diabilties, they would be able to make better choices that will ultimately help them in making a better life in classroom and boardroom and beyond.
I have an example here. A child with good academic record fails to secure place in group tasks, because she could not decide which task she would fit in. While another girl with good academics grabbed the place as captain in the group task of the class. The difference is understanding one’s own interests, expressing, discussing it with her parents, teachers, peers, developing skills, planning and deciding strategies and achieving the goal.
What sets an individual apart are the self awareness skills. And, these self awareness skills can be practiced, taught to children from early age. These can’t be developed in a day or by repeatedly telling or bragging to your children. It takes time, practice, patience and methods to develop self awareness skills from early age. From building confidence to understanding emotions, making the right choices and developing positive thinking leads to positive self esteem which ultimately leads to a safe, happy and successful individual.
We need to encourage the strengths of our children and not force them to adopt ours. Let them think, decide and make a choice. Let them take risks. It is important that children get the boost of confidence and understanding through one’s own choices. Don’t forget to celebrate their wins, and failures too! Let them realise their passion, let them take chances, explore opportunities, and compliment them. Every compliment they receive gives them an opportunity to add to their self esteem, making them self-aware about who they are.
