The overview and near view!

All pre-school children would need to have his or her learning experiences enriched by an overview and a near view. 

In the first photograph above, one gets the overview of the field with trees creating a foresty appearance. 

In the second photograph, when focussed on one tree in the collection of the trees, one sees a Bulbul engaged in its bird calls. 

It is  important for a pre-school child to get an impression of the whole form. distance and details of the particular at close quarters!

The growing up years of a pre-school child is a blend of these experiences. A child at one year might focus only on the stream that is flowing, but by about 18 months to 24 months a child is ready to watch the fish in the stream and explore more about the fish, its habitat and features. 

The learning process for a pre-school child is facilitated by the assistance he or she receives from the parents and other care givers. 

From the gross, to macro and micro,  observing them is the normal journey which a pre-school child makes. 

When a toy car was presented to a child at nine months he was satisfied with its movements. By about 18 months he got enthused by the wheels and was trying to take them apart to explore. It was his father, who gave him the loose wheels from a damaged toy car that stopped the child from dismantling the toy car. 

We need to allow a pre-school child to be exploratory rather than keep the toys away from his for fear of him damaging them. 

Learning for a pre-school child is a first hand experience of exploration!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Bird behaviour!

A single Bulbul moved between its flight stations in our garden till it found another one to join in. 

All young birds look out for company!

That is similar with young children. A child is alive even more when he or she is with another child or children. They find their identity in friendships and socialisation. 

A parent told me that his two children settle down before the TV screen when they return from school and are reluctant to go to play even after the children in the neighbourhood come to call them. 

This is a disturbing thought. What is normal for mid childhood is friendships and interactive growth. The excess TV viewing makes most children loners and socially less exploratory. The entertainment of the visual media conform them to limited perspectives and creative explorations. 

Friendships and camaraderie upbuild children. Adults need to create the opportunity for children to pursue that. 

I find few boys in the stream below our property who come to play ball game in the stream. They have such fun and imagination that it is entertaining to watch them interact. 

The normal childhood is such an expanse of creative thinking and exploring!

I wonder whether most homes have enough indoor games like a carrot board, card games or puzzles or art materials to engage children!

I wish most homes would have a Child's corner where parents and children can meet to have joint family activities! 

Most children follow the rhythm which parents introduce to them! 

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Looking in one direction!

I watched this pair of Bulbuls looking in one direction steadfastly during the time they were perched in the stem above. 

It came to me as a message of what families need. 

It is when both parents have similar orientation about the children they contribute to the formative experience of their children with mutual regard for each other. 

In the story of Jacob and Esau, the twins born to Isaac and Rebekha, mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible (Genesis 15:28), the orientation of the parents toward children was dissimilar. 'Now Isaac loved Esau because he had a taste for game and but Rebekha loved Jacob".

This became a dysfunctional parenting style that following few incidents of distress in the family, Jacob had to leave his home for fear of retaliatory behaviour from Esau. It was after twenty years they met with each other and had a conciliatory engagement(Gen. 33.1-17).

The parenting practices differ between father and mother in some homes, which is a matter of concern. 

It is important that each child feels received and loved alike that no indication of preference is visible in the family dynamics. Each child is a favourite of both parents. 

The equality of status of all children in a family is a message that is essential for the children to carry with them. It gives them a grounding in the family to feel anchored and grow up with a sense of belonging!

The access to the heritage of family ought to be equally shared with all children with no gender difference. The bridal price given and taken is a deviant practice from this essential foundation in family life. 

The parenting attitude influences the thoughts of children. When each child was equal to parents the family life and the adulthood behaviour of children would become wholesome!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)