My Expressions

Children’s Day Message – Arti Ohri, Fravashi Academy, Nashik

Each child is special. Their uniqueness lies, as much as in their skills and talents, as in their questions, imaginations and sense of wonder. Some children may be good in sports, some in arts, some in science or some in business. Some are orators, others dreamers, some loud and expressive, some shy and conservative. But each child has something special to offer to this world. So, we strongly believe that ‘Every Child is Special’.

The UN celebrates World Children’s Day on 20 November while in India, Children’s Day is celebrated on 14 November. This date is the birth anniversary of India’s First Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru who believed that children are the real strength and foundation of a nation. We at Curious Times too believe that the holistic development of children is the first step in building a better world and we strive every day to do just that. We are also in constant engagement with the education community – students, teachers and educators. It is our cherished goal to make a meaningful contribution to the community by working and interacting with leaders in the field.

And so, this Children’s Day, Curious Times is delighted to bring you a special message from an eminent educator, Arti Ohri. She is the Principal of Fravashi Academy, Nashik.

In your inspiring journey as an educator what different types of experiences have you had with children that make you believe every child is special? As a young preschool educator, I once asked my class of tiny tots “what makes them special?” We were then learning “All About Me”, and pat came the replies like – “I run really fast – like Superman”; “I can build a tall tower with my blocks”, “I can comb/tie my own hair into a ponytail”. As simple as these answers may seem, they are the clear indicators that each child believes that there is something he/she is better at than others around him/her. This is an affirmation of the belief “I am Special – I am Unique”!

At times it happens that children end up teaching something valuable to adults. Please share any such experience that you have had. “To Not Limit Ourselves / Myself”. This is the most valuable lesson that one of my 4th graders ended up teaching me. It was “Share what you want to be when you grow up!” Day and she landed in school with 4 costumes to dress and display along with her mother who seemed to be at her wits’ end due to her daughter’s demands. On being asked why 4 different roles and not just 1, she turned around and looked at me and said, “You said I could be anything I want!! – I want to be all of these!” – Yes, An Astronaut, An Architect, A Dancer & A Bus Driver! I was left speechless but I realized that it just didn’t worry her how to be it all; -her concern was just – ” BE IT ALL’. And that’s been my mantra now for years together – To be successful you must accept all challenges that come your way. You can’t accept only the ones that you like.

What steps should be taken collectively by Schools, Parents, Teachers and the Government to ensure that the special talent and uniqueness in every child is encouraged rather than measuring each child on the same traditional metric? Here I would like to quote from the NEP 2020 that so clearly presents a very valid thought – With the rapid changes that are taking place on a day to day basis in our knowledge landscape – such as scientific changes, technological advances, multidisciplinary abilities across all fields will soon become the need of the hour and more in demand. Thus it’s important that children not only learn but also “learn how to learn”. Education has to be delivered holistically, must build values and character and at the same time prepare them for gainful employment. Giving students the freedom and support to learn what drives their passion, at the school and home level; not judging their ability to perform on any graded table or past successes. All these will ensure that their uniqueness remains “special” always. Options for College Programme vs Trade Skill Programme is the answer to this!!

On the occasion of Children’s Day, share your message with your and your children on the Curious Times platform. This Children’s Day is Special. It’s different as our children have been away from us and been home for the past year and a half plus now. We have missed them as much as they miss us. So, I would like to take this moment to tell them that – “They are Ours – They are Special –They are important. A school without their fun-filled chatter and laughter is like a heart without love!” So, we await their return anxiously and hopefully, that should happen soon. But till then I say, “Climb Every Mountain, Ford Every Stream, Follow Every Rainbow, till you find your Dream”.

Many thanks to Arti Ohri, Fravashi Academy, Nashik for sharing her thoughts on Curious Times.

Wishing Happy Children’s Day to all the students of Fravashi Academy, Nashik.

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