JUST BEING A KID

[kathdrew]

In today’s changing world, not only have systems of education changed, but the values that children learn in their environment have changed as well.

Every interaction with children provides an opportunity to teach values.

In our home, Once a week we have an evening where we sit around as a family and talk about the things we like about our family. We plan games, songs and crafts. It's a time when no one has other appointments. I love that time. It tells us that our family is a priority.
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[catherine88]

What values are today’s children learning? Are they coping well just being a kid or are they being pushed to be like adults to excel in academic and material things. Our kids are almost like the King of Pop, in a way, because they are deprived of enjoying their childhood.

I am pleased my sister is allowing her two daughters to have fun and enjoy their childhood. One is 8 and the other is 3. Both are precocious, smart, playful, thoughtful and in some ways mature in thinking. They enjoy masak-masak, play teacher-student, fight, dancing, singing, skipping, puzzles, reading, having imaginative friend, having their dolls and other soft toys. They love to laugh and play pranks. I love playing with them and laughing with them. My elder niece goes for her two favourite things; ballet and art. She also enjoys story telling, giving speeches in school. She is a monitor in her class since she started school. She has a study time to follow at home and makes sure she gets her homework done before she can play. No tuition. She competes with herself. She compares her own previous results to challenge herself to achieve better results the next round. Both girls are very open with their thoughts and would admit their mistakes if they made any. The 3 year old is now able to draw, colour and write. She is full of questions and would some time give very adults answers and opinions. She is also very thoughtful and kind. They do get disciplined for misbehaving as well.

Her parents work and whatever time they have, they spend time like shopping, zoos, playground, guiding the schoolwork, etc. My nieces loves their playtime and enjoys them so much, they have lesser stress in studies. Grandma takes care of them when their parents work. We, siblings help nurture them mentally, emotionally and spiritually and also giving them the listening ear when the kids need to complain or share their joys and pain.

Children are precious and innocent. Adults can learn so much from them as they are the greatest teachers about life. Being the best has different meaning to different people. I only know that competing with the Joneses is never ending.