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Children’s Day Message – Meenakshi Bahadur, Study Hall School, Lucknow

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, Meenakshi Bahadur. She is the Principal of Study Hall School, Lucknow.

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? 25 years of my journey as an educator had given me the opportunity to look at the children holistically. As a teacher, I have found that each child has a unique potential and a caring, nurturing and loving environment will help them to thrive. Each child has his/her own asset, strength, abilities, temperament and learning style which they bring to each experience in the class. As an educator, I do my best to channel their unique energy and enthusiasm in the right direction. Being a part of the Study Hall Educational Foundation, I have also had the wonderful opportunity of working closely with underprivileged girls and children with special needs. To inspire these kids, I had to make them see and believe and notice the greatness they don’t see in themselves. Despite the hardships in their lives, their smile and the eagerness to learn and do big in life really changed my perspective. It actually needs a particular teaching agenda to understand their journey and make them feel better about themselves before teaching them and imparting knowledge or skills to them.

At times it happens that children end up teaching something valuable to adults. Please share any such experience that you have had. There is a great deal to learn from our students. They have taught us contentment, resilience and to be caring. As an educator, I believe in giving a child the kind of responsive teaching that educates them to live and not just to learn. I have also always found that responding to children is a highly rewarding process. I particularly remember one of my students who would always copy assignments and would not put any effort into his work. I ended up scolding him in the class which is unusual because I almost never scold children in the class. After the class, he followed me and stopped me in the corridor with tears in his eyes. He informed me that his mother is sick and he is spending nights in the hospital. He also told me that my assignments are the only ones he could complete. This incident gave me one of the most important lessons of my life. It shows us how it is so important to see in the lives of others and understand the different forces that shape their lives.

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? It starts with accepting that every child is unique and there is no cookie-cutter method to teach and care for all the children. We should also have the understanding that childhood has its place in the life of everyone and that it is not merely preparation for adulthood. Parents and teachers must not also exert unnecessary pressure to perform and should accept that success has no singular definition. Their responsibility is to raise a child in a happy, caring and democratic atmosphere. Every stakeholder must also assume a role of an expert facilitator. This can be done by creating opportunities to explore and alongside making a safe space for failure.

On the occasion of Children’s Day, share your message with your and your children on the Curious Times platform. Be a lifelong Learner and live your life to the fullest. Always keep your inquisitiveness and curiosity alive, as the future belongs to the ones who are not afraid to try, question, poke and explore the unexplored.

Many thanks to Meenakshi Bahadur, Study Hall School, Lucknow for sharing her thoughts on Curious Times.

Wishing Happy Children’s Day to all the students of Study Hall School, Lucknow.

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