Dr. Jaishri Ramakrishnan is a consultant psychologist with over three decades of experience. She has conducted several seminars, workshops and training programmes on parenting, handling children with special needs, and stress management.
In my clinical practice, I come across many instances where I feel that if adults had listenend well in the first place, the situation with the child would not have snowballed into a ‘problem that needs professional counselling’. Any adult, be it a parent or a teacher, should develop the ability to listen. Good listening leads to the adult developing empathy and understanding with children, helping to negotiate and defuse even difficult situations.
Case Study One
A four-year-old boy was brought for consultation. He was studying in one of the premier schools. It was said that the child was “breaking rules’, “defiant” and “cruel to animals and insects”. The school had instructed the parents to meet with a psychologist/ psychiatrist and check if the child had an emotional issue.
He was seated in a chair in front of me and the parents left the room. We looked at each other and I gave him a smile. The little one, with very warm and mischievous eyes, looked at me.
Child: Go on tell me I am a bad boy.
Me: I am going to do no such thing; I would like to know your story.
Child: Well that’s what everybody has been telling me - the teachers, mother, father and others in school.
Me: Tell me what happened.
Child: Will you listen?
Me: Of course I will.
Child: See, I was stamping on a row of ants that were running in my classroom. These ants bite and make red patches where they bite and hurt. So I stamped on them. Then ma’am said “In my class no one should stamp on the ants”. I found the ants again the next day and went and stamped on them before they could enter the classroom and bite me and my friends.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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:
Cooking up stories together
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
Children who learn to love physical activity in all of its forms will grow up to be adults who are active.
