Add that Color

If you are a parent of a child in school – then this is for you! Serious (fun)

Let me begin by asking you a simple question – What is literacy according to you? Most of us will bring out these terms – “Read, Write, and Count” and some may add “Memorize”. And that is exactly what education is doing today! Our system focuses so much on these fronts that the other life skills are predominantly thrown into a basket called ‘hobbies’ (which when making choices, almost always ends up last). My son is 4 and his school has begun this process- how? By making the kids learn a whole lot of 2 and 3 letter words. The result is a very simple outcome – “if this is learning, it sure is boring!”

Sadly this is not just going to continue but grow into massive amounts of information ‘push-in’, store, recall and write neatly. Now, you might say, “But, that’s how the system is, and unless my kids learn to excel in these ‘intelligent’ learning systems, they will not be able to shine in the competitive avenues of tomorrow”. Well, ask yourself one question – “What is your role as a parent?” Is it to mimic the teacher at home? Or is to shape them for life?

Many of us choose to be strict, tense, comparing, not-patient, not-satisfied, pushing-pulling teachers during the time we spend with our kids. (If this is the case when home-work is being done, imagine the setting during exam-prep-time) Well, this article is all about giving you a glimpse of a parent’s role as a teacher! You see, we humans are visual (we have 10,00,000 neurons for visual and just 32,000 for auditory) and learn better through visuals (70% visual according to VAK theory) and stories.

Community as we know began this process quite well – drawing, sketching, crafting and storytelling were the accepted norms of real communication. Then each community decided to create boundaries of its own – tweaking the many drawings into symbols and finally into the alphabets and numerals of today. Since common man was busy working the earth, an elite few decided to focus on ‘intelligent’ workings of the alphabets and numerals.

Soon there emerged a divide – the simple, emotional and meaningful communication of the masses (visuals and stories) vs the complex, logical and intellectual jargon of the elite. And with that came education and who was teaching – the elite of course! Now, if you are thinking do I really need visuals and stories. Then stay on. Research and studies by many leading organizations have clearly showed the sad state of our literate programs (education system).

Our systems are able to churn-out competitive, logic-focused, jargon-chewing, intellectual minds – but what the world needs are leaders – people who think creatively, have the big-picture mindset, willing to take risks, communicate with passion and innovate. Now, ask yourself “How can I develop these in my kids?” Well you need to ADD that COLOR to their otherwise boring education system. Here are some ways you can do that.

Visual Learners
We are visual (nothing can change that) – so help your kids to sketch (don’t force them to become Picassos please) out ideas, thoughts, stories. Let them translate their lessons into simple, connected, meaningful visuals (ex. mind-mapping with pictures and metaphors). This will help them store and recall information better and faster.

Creative Problem-Solvers
Give them real-life problems (not the boring ones on their text books) and sit down with them to solve it. Allow them to make mistakes and be patient if they repeat it. Appreciate them if they come up with solutions that are ‘not-right’ according to the rule-books of learning.

Play thinkers
Play with them. Build things together. Allow them the freedom to choose different ways to repeat the play. Slowly guide them to create game-plays on their own.

Change-agents
Keep changing things around your home, lifestyle etc – it troubles them but when you invite them into the change process – they become adept at leading through change. Work with them –teach them how you can do things differently to make a better impact at whatever you do. (Please don’t change schools every year because I said this!)

Big-picture planners
Tap into the imaginative mindsets of your kids. Work with them to plan vacations, buying new things etc – help them to imagine all they can do, how they can do it and why they can do it. Also teach them not to love money or materialism.

Value-adders
Remember to show them that God is at the center of everything. Let them see you, as a parent, give that respect and status to God. Teach them to pray, surrender their everyday activities to God and think, speak and do things that will please God. This will also enable them to add value in the life of others.

A warning: When doing all the above, don’t pressurize them. Let them enjoy and love what they do. Each kid is unique, so never compare but rather celebrate with them their uniqueness.

The above are all BIG blocks for you to work on if you want your kids to make a difference. If you are convinced, then you need to start working on them – remember it takes time, but then parenting is all about creative time spent with your kids lovingly.