In the previous edition of this serialised feature Guestimedict was introduced, a game that sharpens children’s skills to estimate, predict and make informed guesses.
This episode discusses an emotional block to creativity that prevents one from leading a creative life; a block as a consequence of fear of a negative evaluation of oneself by society, fear of criticism,fear of drawing the attention of others to what one is doing. This fear causes one to filter all actions that one could take, through the sieve of how society would view the action. This constant filtering of potential actions through reflections off the social mirror is a block that prevents one from exploring life in all its fullness. In this episode we propose an experimental activity that can gradually remove this serious block to creativity.
It was a Sunday afternoon. The family was on its way for an outing; no specific agenda except to have a good time. They arrived at Baiyappanahalli metro station, for a metro travel experience. They had just missed the previous train and the next was a good 10 minutes away.
‘Who offers to loudly bleat like a sheep?’ asked Raj.
Raj posing strange questions was not new to the family. ‘Not me’, responded Shama and further clarified, ‘At any rate, not here, Dad’.
‘Why not?’ queried Raj.
‘You expect us to make a spectacle of ourselves in public?’ It was Taj who answered. Two boys, one bearded and the other bespectacled, had occupied the bench nearby. Both were engrossed with their smartphones. Pointing to the boys, she whispered, ‘Do you want them to think that I am crazy?’
‘Do you know them?’ asked Raj. Taj shrugged her shoulders.
‘So, how does it matter whether they think that you are crazy or whether they believe that you are Nobel Prize material?’
Taj thought for a while before she responded, ‘Some unknown fear, perhaps’. ‘It’s an irrational fear,’ Raj explained. ‘I read the book Conceptual Blockbusting written by a Stanford professor emeritus, James Adams. It’s a book about the blocks that prevent people from being creative. He suggests this experiment of bleating like a sheep, in public. It tells us how strong this irrational, emotional block to creativity, is. This fear not only stops us from bleating like a sheep, but also from taking several useful and helpful actions.’
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Denne historien er fra May - June 2019-utgaven av ParentEdge.
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Releasing Your Teens From Internet Lockdown
The new normal demands a large chunk of time to be spent online. For teenagers, time spent in online classes, assignments, project work, homework, tests and exams - all these add up to many hours a day, glued to screens. Furthermore, the current generation's usage of social media and online gaming is increasing day by day. So is parental anxiety about their children's wellbeing. How do parents help their teens and themselves?
Helping Children Manage Big Emotions
Parenting is a roller-coaster ride filled with loads of fun as well as moments where we feel as if we are walking on eggshells. When our child has an outburst, we either make frantic attempts to soothe them or end up having a fit ourselves. Though it appears as if we are stumbling in the dark when it comes to understanding our child's emotions, there is still hope. When armed with information about how to help them deal with their emotional challenges, we will be able to sit back and enjoy this ride. Read on.
HANDLING Fussy Eaters
Fussy eating is a part of normal childhood development — how we handle it will influence our children's future eating habits. Many mothers struggle with their children's eating habits. Some children are fussy eaters, while others are not as troublesome; so is fussy eating something to do with the child, or parents, or both? There is no one right answer, but there are things we can do so as to not fuel this problem further. Read on for some tips on dealing with your child's fussy eating.
DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES: 6 TO 16 YEARS
As parents, we eagerly look for the early milestones in our child's life - the first step, the first word. There are other equally important markers, rites of passage into independence, when our children are primary schoolers, adolescents or teens. What are these? When do these typically happen? What should a parent be watchful about? Read on. A child learns to ride a bicycle A teenager takes the local train by himself for parents, these milestones are as important as teaching opportunities as they are occasions to rejoice (with a sense of apprehension, of course). Let us examine some of these:
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Children and stories go together like birds and the open sky. Stories offer a place to soar uninhibited and unrestrained in their flights of imagination.
Books for Children
Book Reviews
Preventing Obesity In Children
Obesity in childhood has wide-ranging consequences hypertension, cardiac issues, emotional disturbances such as inappropriate behaviour, relationship problems, depression or an inability to learn.
Managing Exam Stress With Ayurveda
Stress and anxiety could hinder the thinking capability of students, especially in the times of pandemic when there is so much uncertainty around. For teenagers, appearing for exams is not just about the exam preparation but also about taking all the necessary precaution to safeguard their health. Read on.
Safety Products for Children
It is an undeniable fact that young children are our greatest treasure. The way they are nurtured and protected will have a huge impact on their future as well as society as a whole. So, is it not our foremost duty to safeguard them? Of course it is. That’s why we have featured below a list of products that will not only ensure your child’s physical safety but also give you peace of mind!
Boosting Immunity In Children
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