Enlightenment to lead, serve & achieve

This is the first issue of the SPARK school magazine; and I see some fresh faces trying their hands in writing or painting. My heart is filled with joy to see creativity in these little kids coming to the surface and turning them into young writers and artists. It is not known to us how far their destiny will take them, but what we truly believe is that they all will leave a mark in life in their own sweet way, however small or big it might be. I congratulate the entire editorial team for their hard work and dedication in making this dream come alive. I also take this opportunity to leave you, the parents, with some food for thought.

Dear parents, have you ever wondered who your child's role model are? Dr. Amartya Sen? Dr. C. V. Raman? Dr. Radhakrishnan? Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam? or is it you?
......Yes. You. A recent survey revealed that a majority of the young girls looked to their mothers as their role model, not a pop icon or a sports star. Whether you know it or not, you are a role model for your child. Adolescents who have positive role models are more likely to do well in school and have higher self-esteem.

What does this mean for you? As a parent, you have more influence for good than may be you thought you did. By setting a good example of healthy living, you can help your child make healthy choices in his life. Hence, it's important to establish and maintain good communication with your child. Get into the habit of talking with your child everyday. Building a close relationship with him when he's young will make it easier for him to come to you when he has a problem and will help you become more sensitive to his mood changes. With a close relationship with you, he'll be less likely to develop mental health problems. Again, it really can make a difference when you get involved in your child's life.

The other day I was flipping through the pages of Reader's Digest when suddenly an article caught my attention. What are Dads made of?One child loves to help his Dad Eric in the garden because his Dad talks about different colours and shapes, completely ignoring the mess of mud on their shoes, or trail of dirt when they enter the house. Unlike Mums, Dads are mess-makers, rule-breakers, risk-takers. When it comes to girls, Dad is clearly the first man in her life. A daughter looks to her father and there she sees the standard of what it means to be a man. But being a good father isn't important just to those with daughter. What the son gets from his father is an emotional foundation that very few men have. Daddy-style play, daddy-style reading, daddy-style talking stir the feelings of the child. Fathers contribute a great deal in the development of their children. When a Dad takes his child out for a walk in the neighbourhood, he points out at different objects and acquaints the child with the unknown. The child develops the curiosity to know and learn. But if the Dad is dismissive, that curiosity instantly becomes dead or silent.

A child is the most intelligent when the reality before him arouses in him a high degree of attention, interest, concentration, involvement - in short, when he cares most about what he is doing. Therefore, we must try to create an atmosphere that will help develop his cognitive skills and also help him acquire all those experiences, which will benefit him greatly.

Let us not forget that -

• If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
• If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
• If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.
• If a child lives with shame, he learns to be guilty.
• If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
• If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.
• If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.
• If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
• If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.
• If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.
• If a child lives with acceptance & friendship, he learns to find love in the world.