Steps towards Building the Coping Mechanisms for Students
STEPS WHICH COULD BE TAKEN TO ENHANCE THE COPING MECHANISMS
Dear Readers,
These days media is blamed the increasing crime and addiction in adolescent. We need to get this message very strongly that every child has a coping mechanism which is unique. What I mean to say is that almost all children watch movies with aggression, play video games, and even tom and jerry is not teaching values, but a lot of aggression is displayed. But despite this only few children react or behave in a delinquent manner. This could be because of many factors or any one factor like environment, inappropriate role models, instant gratification needs, genetic composition, low frustration tolerance level, no conscience (which is seen in hard core criminals, research has shown a dominance of genetic as well as environment factor in this area.).
STEP I
What ever the factors may be, we are well aware that YOGA is an ancient science which means balance or unison of mind, body and soul. Western countries have adopted this to enhance themselves. We have well known gurus and their disciples all over the country.
Practice of PRANAYAM takes only 20 minutes which is half the time allotted for value education by our education ministry. Pranayam is a simple technique of inhaling and exhaling and brings about not only mental peace, but also enhances memory, concentration, creativity, state of mind, intellect, cures diseases etc. It also helps individuals to understand themselves, go deep into their minds and find themselves. Therefore YOGA and PRANAYAM needs to become a part of our education system. Which, for now, is concentrating only on academics and not overall development.
My personal experience : Suggest this step to the authorities and they say, “We agree, but where is the time to fit this in the already packed curriculum”. This is where our role comes in by creating constant reminders that Yoga and Pranayam will only enhance the students, bring about an aura of brilliance, not only in the academics, but, for their overall personalities, health, coping mechanism, physical ailments due to writing, reading, etc. will be taken care of and the word stress will become an alien feeling.
STEP II
COUNSELLING AND REGULAR WORKSHOPS FOR PARENTS
Go to any school and check whether there are qualified counselors there. The percentage will be between 20-30. Many schools take the help of visiting counselors. Even if the schools have counselors check the ratio, approximate 2000 to 3000 students and 1 or 2 counsellors and may be a remedial, special education teacher. This is definitely helpful, but for a few cases which are obvious. There are many who are dormant and many which can be helped through preventions.
Regular workshops for Parents is the key here as this helps the school and the parents to work together.
For eg. The Principal of Dr.Kalmadi Shamrao High School, Pune, Ms Kamini Saxena, Ms Korde of Saraswati Vidyalaya, Rabodi, thane, Ms Uma Sarathchandran of Symbiosis High School, Pune, Ms Ranjini Krishnaswamy of St.Gregorios, Chembur, Mr.Cherian of Kendriya Vidyalaya, ONGC, Panvel, Ms Bhavani Raghuraman of Bhavan’s Trust, Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Pune, Father Alex of Vidya Bhavan Pune and many more are few of the principals who have experienced the benefit of the parents workshop for std IX and X and are now extending it to the entire school. June and July are the month’s for conducting these workshops. These workshops are made mandatory as when they are kept optional, the ones who are already taking preventive measures turn up and the ones who really need them are not there. Some of the issues which are communicated through role play, questionnaires, check list are values, trust, consistency in disciplining, sibling rivalry, aggression, anger (Emotional Management), TV and computer dependency, coaching classes, communicating with children, reading habits, recreation etc. The most important part of these workshops are the follow-up sessions.
Step III
ATTITUDES OF TEACHERS: This is a very sensitive zone for the school authorities as well as the parents. I have worked so closely in so many schools and have come across many teachers, I have observed, learned and am still learning so much about them. Because if the Principal is the Brain of the school then the teachers are the spinal chord and an institution functions very well when both these factors are working in sync.
It is an un-debatable fact that children worship their teachers, however only during pre-primary and primary. And this is the time when a lot could be imparted to them. However it has been observed that teachers are also human beings and many a times a slip may happen from the best of the teacher, however this has a life long lasting effect on the mind of the student. This remark, gesture, comment, suggestion, opinion could be positive or negative. At this junction take a few minutes and go back to your school days and think about one positive remark that you got and one negative remark and try and analyze its impact on yourself. Monitor your feelings, your expressions, your current reactions due to that past experience and you will understand perfectly what I am talking about.
Teachers play a very important role in our lives and we need to create a support system for them too. Because they too are human beings with a great responsibility on their shoulders. I happen to remember here that a few years ago I had recommended to a school principal that it was the teachers who required counseling more than the students. Of course this was not taken well by the teachers, now I think may be we counselors also need to learn the art of diplomacy to put forth ideas many a times. Because I was not criticizing, but had presented a support plan for them.
Most of the teachers carry a baggage to school. We all do at times. This is reflected in their tone, their remarks, their judgments, their way of teaching, their body language.
It has to be understood that teachers if given constant encouragement, counseling, rewards, (not always materialistic), empathy, could become a very strong source of building confidence, learning values, having a liking for studies, high self esteem, understanding self worth, etc for students.
We need to take this responsibility to create a healthy environment for teachers too.
Besides the above, parents need to woek to create confident children who can take appropriate decisions and not succumb to peer pressure or become a victim of inferiority complex.
Dear Readers,
These days media is blamed the increasing crime and addiction in adolescent. We need to get this message very strongly that every child has a coping mechanism which is unique. What I mean to say is that almost all children watch movies with aggression, play video games, and even tom and jerry is not teaching values, but a lot of aggression is displayed. But despite this only few children react or behave in a delinquent manner. This could be because of many factors or any one factor like environment, inappropriate role models, instant gratification needs, genetic composition, low frustration tolerance level, no conscience (which is seen in hard core criminals, research has shown a dominance of genetic as well as environment factor in this area.).
STEP I
What ever the factors may be, we are well aware that YOGA is an ancient science which means balance or unison of mind, body and soul. Western countries have adopted this to enhance themselves. We have well known gurus and their disciples all over the country.
Practice of PRANAYAM takes only 20 minutes which is half the time allotted for value education by our education ministry. Pranayam is a simple technique of inhaling and exhaling and brings about not only mental peace, but also enhances memory, concentration, creativity, state of mind, intellect, cures diseases etc. It also helps individuals to understand themselves, go deep into their minds and find themselves. Therefore YOGA and PRANAYAM needs to become a part of our education system. Which, for now, is concentrating only on academics and not overall development.
My personal experience : Suggest this step to the authorities and they say, “We agree, but where is the time to fit this in the already packed curriculum”. This is where our role comes in by creating constant reminders that Yoga and Pranayam will only enhance the students, bring about an aura of brilliance, not only in the academics, but, for their overall personalities, health, coping mechanism, physical ailments due to writing, reading, etc. will be taken care of and the word stress will become an alien feeling.
STEP II
COUNSELLING AND REGULAR WORKSHOPS FOR PARENTS
Go to any school and check whether there are qualified counselors there. The percentage will be between 20-30. Many schools take the help of visiting counselors. Even if the schools have counselors check the ratio, approximate 2000 to 3000 students and 1 or 2 counsellors and may be a remedial, special education teacher. This is definitely helpful, but for a few cases which are obvious. There are many who are dormant and many which can be helped through preventions.
Regular workshops for Parents is the key here as this helps the school and the parents to work together.
For eg. The Principal of Dr.Kalmadi Shamrao High School, Pune, Ms Kamini Saxena, Ms Korde of Saraswati Vidyalaya, Rabodi, thane, Ms Uma Sarathchandran of Symbiosis High School, Pune, Ms Ranjini Krishnaswamy of St.Gregorios, Chembur, Mr.Cherian of Kendriya Vidyalaya, ONGC, Panvel, Ms Bhavani Raghuraman of Bhavan’s Trust, Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Pune, Father Alex of Vidya Bhavan Pune and many more are few of the principals who have experienced the benefit of the parents workshop for std IX and X and are now extending it to the entire school. June and July are the month’s for conducting these workshops. These workshops are made mandatory as when they are kept optional, the ones who are already taking preventive measures turn up and the ones who really need them are not there. Some of the issues which are communicated through role play, questionnaires, check list are values, trust, consistency in disciplining, sibling rivalry, aggression, anger (Emotional Management), TV and computer dependency, coaching classes, communicating with children, reading habits, recreation etc. The most important part of these workshops are the follow-up sessions.
Step III
ATTITUDES OF TEACHERS: This is a very sensitive zone for the school authorities as well as the parents. I have worked so closely in so many schools and have come across many teachers, I have observed, learned and am still learning so much about them. Because if the Principal is the Brain of the school then the teachers are the spinal chord and an institution functions very well when both these factors are working in sync.
It is an un-debatable fact that children worship their teachers, however only during pre-primary and primary. And this is the time when a lot could be imparted to them. However it has been observed that teachers are also human beings and many a times a slip may happen from the best of the teacher, however this has a life long lasting effect on the mind of the student. This remark, gesture, comment, suggestion, opinion could be positive or negative. At this junction take a few minutes and go back to your school days and think about one positive remark that you got and one negative remark and try and analyze its impact on yourself. Monitor your feelings, your expressions, your current reactions due to that past experience and you will understand perfectly what I am talking about.
Teachers play a very important role in our lives and we need to create a support system for them too. Because they too are human beings with a great responsibility on their shoulders. I happen to remember here that a few years ago I had recommended to a school principal that it was the teachers who required counseling more than the students. Of course this was not taken well by the teachers, now I think may be we counselors also need to learn the art of diplomacy to put forth ideas many a times. Because I was not criticizing, but had presented a support plan for them.
Most of the teachers carry a baggage to school. We all do at times. This is reflected in their tone, their remarks, their judgments, their way of teaching, their body language.
It has to be understood that teachers if given constant encouragement, counseling, rewards, (not always materialistic), empathy, could become a very strong source of building confidence, learning values, having a liking for studies, high self esteem, understanding self worth, etc for students.
We need to take this responsibility to create a healthy environment for teachers too.
Besides the above, parents need to woek to create confident children who can take appropriate decisions and not succumb to peer pressure or become a victim of inferiority complex.
Comments
First of all I would like to thank you for enlightening us yesterday at Durgadevi Saraf Hall, at Rajasthani Sammelan. I participated their in the capacity of a parent.
Let me come to the point, what I understood from (Step III) of your post that you are looking for backward mapping, that may be the reason why you have suggested for teacher's counseling.
I fully agree with you I am also a teacher, but I think it should begin straight form the management.
Based on whatever little experience I have so far, I have observed that the fault lies in the selection process. Selection process at times is so pathetic that those who are not at all fit for this profession are not only allowed to enter but also get frequent promotions because they don't leave any stone unturned to get rid of regular class-teaching, because they are not meant for that & for this they flatter the management as much as possible to be an apple in their eye.
From this very point the whole child psychology & counseling goes for a six. Management most of the time rely on few people (mainly of above mentioned type because as a teacher you are not having much time to knock at management’s door time & again because the time with which you are blessed one wants to & one should work on his/her subject to contribute to the max.) to get the pulse of their institution, they definitely have lack of time but many a times there is no cross check of the information imparted reasons may be any & many, at times they are so insensitive that they don’t mind firing people based on such information.
On the top they start recommending all those who are even worse than them so that they can easily rule over them.
& than all gets limited to the battle of survival where Darwin fails because its no more about the survival of the fittest (atleast in the short run) its about the survival of the wicked.
They do this by obstructing communication between the management & the managers who are close to the action which is enough to form strategies which may be either irrelevant ro unrealistic but definitely not SMART (because you need to jump into the pool to learn swimming & their is not shortcut to the success).
For this I give 10 on 10 to such people because the fault lies with the management if not only then to great extent.
So I think managements’ interested in setting up of educational institution should be counseled first so that they can outline the needs of such institutions better this will reduce the level of counseling required at lower levels.
This is a reality more than a negative thinking which is very much based on the observations of more than one institution.
Regards
Sachin