How to Instil Road Discipline in Your Children: A Guide for Parents and Teachers
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We are always around kids during their childhood years, but as they grow, we allow them to play and roam with friends. Practising road safety is essential for the safety of both passengers and pedestrians.
According to the research, road crash injuries are the leading cause of death aged 5 to 29. It is quite tough to be around the kids all the time, hence it becomes imperative that children be aware of road discipline.
To ensure the safety of children, parents and teachers must know how to instil road safety discipline. But the question arises, what is involved in road safety?
Here is the comprehensive guide for parents and teachers about how to teach road safety rules to children;
How to Ensure Road Safety for Children?
Teach them basic signals
First and foremost, teach the kids about the traffic signals and lights and what they mean;
- When the signal turns Green, that means ‘go’.
- When the signal turns red, that means ‘to stop’.
- When the signal turns yellow, that means ‘to slow down’.
- Only walk when the ‘Walk’ sign appears, but look right and left before crossing the road.
- Do not cross the road when the sign says ‘Don’t Walk’.
Cross the road at the Zebra crossings
Teach the children to cross the road only at Zebra crossings, and guide them that they are meant for the safety of pedestrians. Help them understand the speed of a vehicle and that they can only cross when it is at a safe distance
Equip the children to understand signboards
To understand signboards, give your kids a mini-guide or pamphlet in which sign boards are explained in a way they understand.
Avoid using mobile phones
In this era, even kids are using mobile phones. Teach the kids to strictly avoid mobile phones while on the road or roadside.
Ride Bi-cycles carefully
Guide the kids to wear proper gear while riding bicycles, whether with friends or going to school. Make them wear helmets, elbow and knee guards. If they are riding bicycles in the dark, make them wear bright-coloured shoes.
Do not jump traffic lights
In any situation, do not jump the traffic lights, teach the children to follow this rule as it poses a risk.
Avoid playing on the road or roadside
Children are always excited and start running wherever they find the way. Tell them not to run and play on the road or roadside, it is always risky.
Stand out of blind spots
Teach the children to never cross a road from in between vehicles or any other object, that is always dangerous. Guide them to always cross the road when it is clear.
Follow bus safety tips
Guide the children about following the bus safety tips every time they travel on a bus.
How Can Adults be Role Models for Children?
By following these steps, adults can teach children about road safety rules and discipline;
- Teach the child to understand basic traffic signals and signs.
- By frequently checking whether the child stops, looks, listens, and thinks before crossing the road.
- Explaining road safety rules in simple language.
- Walking on the road and following the road safety rules together
- Do not use phones and other devices when walking on the road or around vehicles
- Always hold the child’s hand on the driveway or while crossing the road
It is not possible for parents and teachers to constantly supervise their children when they are out on the road. So children must be taught road safety standards from an early age. We at Ekya Schools believe in instructing children in these areas and by following the road safety etiquette, they feel responsible towards themselves and others.
There are many ways we teach the students about road safety. We incorporate easy understanding for the children, like using age-appropriate behaviour, making the learning fun, using visual aids, appreciation to practise in real-life situations. We cover it all.
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Ekya / April 03, 2024
The Power of Learning with Intent: A Guide to Purposeful Education
In a world brimming with information, the art of learning has evolved beyond the mere acquisition of facts. Learning with intent, a deliberate approach to education emphasises quality over quantity, depth over breadth, and purpose over passive absorption. It’s about cultivating a mindset that transforms knowledge into meaningful action and empowers individuals to navigate the complexities of the modern age effectively.
At its core, learning with intent involves setting clear objectives and actively engaging with the subject matter. Whether exploring a new language, delving into scientific principles, or honing a creative skill, intentionality infuses each learning endeavour with purpose and direction. As Albert Einstein aptly said, "The only source of knowledge is experience." This quote amplifies the importance of active participation and hands-on learning, highlighting that true understanding arises from deliberate engagement with the material.
Furthermore, engaging actively with the material is paramount. Embrace challenges and embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth. This proactive approach not only deepens your understanding but also cultivates critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for success in any field.
Moreover, learning with intent emphasises relevance and applicability. Seek out opportunities to apply newfound knowledge in real-world scenarios, bridging the gap between theory and practice. By contextualising learning within your personal or professional sphere, you enhance its significance and utility, making it more likely to stick.
In conclusion, learning with intent is a transformative approach that transcends traditional notions of education. By setting clear objectives, engaging actively, prioritising relevance, and fostering a growth mindset, individuals can harness the full potential of learning to achieve their goals and thrive in an ever-changing world. So, embark on your learning journey with purpose, and let each lesson propel you towards a brighter, more fulfilling future.
By Sweta Pradeep Rao
Senior English Educator
Ekya School JP Nagar
Ekya / April 02, 2024
Gadget-free Summer Break
With summer vacation around, I urge parents to explore various ways to facilitate children to make healthy choices during their vacation time.
Last week, when we asked our Early Years to visualise their characters and create a story, most of them came up with stories about ghosts and monsters attacking others. When we had conversations about what gave them this idea, we understood that these story ideas emanated from their online games. While gaming per se develops specific skills and requires focus, it also stifles the imagination of young children. Since it is visually appealing, children tend to remember those images in their heads all the time.
I often see parents providing very young children (1 year to 3 year olds) with gadgets as the means to keep children engaged and entertained. I see children watching phones in the waiting areas of clinics, hospitals, school lobbies and banks.
This brings us to a fundamental question “ Should children be engaged by parents all the time?” Not necessarily. What is likely to happen if children were not handed over gadgets at the waiting lounges? What would they do? Some of them may cry, some may throw a loud tantrum, and some may crib. If parents show resilience and allow children to settle down themselves, they will soon find ways to keep themselves engaged. Likewise, during summer vacation. What if this is a “no gadget” vacation and parents do not take up the responsibility to engage their children? What would children do? How can parents show resilience here and facilitate children to make healthy choices? I leave the readers with this thought for this summer vacation.
Mathangi R,
Head of School,
Ekya NICE Road.
Ekya / April 02, 2024
The Eye of the Storm
In the hushed embrace of an Indian evening, our journey began, a symphony of anticipation orchestrated by the hum of jet engines and the flutter of boarding passes. The promise of adventure beckoned from distant shores as we boarded our flight bound for the United Kingdom, our hearts aflutter with dreams of far-off lands and newfound horizons. But as we soared through the velvet sky, a foreboding shadow loomed on the horizon, a harbinger of the chaos that was soon to unfold. In the blink of an eye, the tranquil serenity of our airborne sanctuary was shattered by a deafening crack, a burst of purple lightning that danced across the heavens with an otherworldly fervour. The air crackled with electricity as the plane shuddered beneath the force of the storm, its metal frame quivering in defiance against the tempestuous onslaught. And then, in a heart-stopping moment of sheer terror, the heavens unleashed their fury upon us, casting our fragile vessel into a maelstrom of chaos and uncertainty. The sky darkened to a shade of ominous charcoal as the winds howled with a primal ferocity, tearing at the wings of our faltering craft with savage intent. The cabin was awash with panicked cries and frantic prayers as we clung to our seats with white-knuckled desperation, each passing moment stretching into eternity.
And then, as if mocking our feeble attempts at control, the plane tilted almost 180 degrees, its nose plummeting towards the earth with a sickening lurch. Time seemed to stand still as we hurtled towards the ground, our fate hanging in the balance as the world spun wildly out of control. But just when all hope seemed lost, a glimmer of salvation emerged from the chaos, a beacon of light amidst the encroaching darkness. With a mighty roar, the engines surged to life once more, their thunderous symphony drowning out the cacophony of the storm as we clawed our way back from the brink of oblivion. As the storm clouds parted and the sun cast its golden rays upon the horizon, we emerged battered but unbroken, our spirits buoyed by the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity. And though our journey had been fraught with peril and uncertainty, we emerged from the crucible of the skies stronger and more resilient than ever before. For in the crucible of adversity, we discovered the true measure of our strength, our courage, and our unwavering determination to defy the odds and chart our course through the tempestuous seas of life. As we touched down on solid ground once more, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the world around us, a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human soul.
Arjun Narasimhan Kuppuswamy
Grade 8C
How to Foster Active Listening Skills in Your Child: Tips and Strategies for Parents and Educators
- Always maintain eye contact while speaking: Parents and guardians should make eye contact with their kids. Making eye contact boosts their child's confidence and improves active listening skills which makes them more enthusiastic during conversation.
- Repeating the key points: During the conversation, parents should pay attention to the things their children are more focussing on and if they want them to focus more on a particular point, it should be repeated again and again. This will feed it into their subconscious mind.
- Ask multiple questions: Asking multiple questions during the conversation is a good way to develop listening skills among children as answering requires active listening. This is also a good way to develop inquisitiveness among them.
Here is the list of different types of listening:
- Critical listening: It involves listening and analysing both the positive and negative aspects of any topic and synthesising the information to form a point of view.
- Discriminative listening: In this type of listening interpretation is done by considering sound and body language rather than the words.
- Aesthetic listening: It involves enjoyment. Aesthetic listening is often used by parents or teachers to make the education fun and more engaging.
- Biased listening: It is also known as selective listening as the listener only focuses on a particular part of the communication. It leads to distorted information leading to communication.
- Take the help of audio resources: Children like to listen to audio clips as they find it more interesting and engaging. So parents should use audio resources for teaching different subjects. Nowadays audio resources are made using such special sounds that the brain finds more appealing. Such types of audio clips can be used to improve the active listening skills of children.
- Conduct regular listening activities: It is one of the best parenting tips for listening. Listening activities can be made in the form of games to make it more engaging and fun. Once a week it can be done as a group activity in school. This way children can not just participate but also learn to reflect on certain topics.
- Take regular feedback: Parents and teachers should be involved in taking regular feedback. This will make the students more responsive and attentive during teaching sessions as to provide any feedback it is essential to be attentive and actively listener.
- Include short questions in between conversations: It is one of the best active listening strategies for teachers and parents. Short questions in between learning sessions encourage the students to be an active listener and more attentive. This also promotes an inquisitive nature among students.
- Maintain a relaxing environment: It is one of the most essential points that parents and teachers should never miss out on. A relaxing environment promotes the holistic development of students. It enhances the confidence and promotes the participation of students in discussion sessions which further enhances the active listening skills.
Humility brings forth wisdom?
Humility has many facets, one of which is recognizing when we're wrong.
In being wrong, it puts us in a place of humility so that we can learn something from others. True humility is being able to receive from others what they are carrying.
It is a key ingredient of self-awareness. It means appreciating our weaknesses and keeping our successes in perspective. It requires accepting a certain degree of imperfection.
When we prioritize humility, it allows us to recognize our own limitations and shortcomings and to approach others with respect and kindness. It also makes us more receptive to learning and growing, as we are willing to admit when we don't know something or when we make a mistake.
There is something about being humble and staying humble.So we must humble ourselves to
receive from everyone - even people we may not like.
It's the people that we have the tough time with that we can learn from the most. They will challenge us in ways that no one else will and will build in us a heart of humility because we can't learn anything if we think we know everything! True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less - CS Lew
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