If you don't like how things are, change it! You're not a tree. ~Jim Rohn
My kids are in a school which believes in a lot of practical work. So, projects, exhibitions are something we are quite used to. Almost two years back when Muskaan was in third grade, she was given a topic on inventions, where a child will develop an idea in the class itself on something which has not been invented yet or has a big scope of innovation. Once they submit the blueprint of the same to the teacher, they have to make a model on same with the help of parents and an exhibition would be put up and all the parents could come and see the work and encourage the kids.
ON the big day, the projects were neatly displayed; parents were given a short power point presentation and were entertained by the skit of kids. Finally they were asked to go to the exhibition area, where every kid will stand next to his/her project and they can ask anything about the project. The main motive was to encourage the kids, test their involvement and increase their knowledge if we have some inputs to give. So a great learning experience in all.
As I was moving slowly looking at different projects, just ahead of me were an elderly guy, in his sixties, who were quite curious about the models. A lot many questions from his side were put up, kids were able to answer some as the model were something completely non existent, based on the imagination of kid, and an eight-nine year old kid has limitations.
Finally we both reached a project where a kid created a flying chair. He explained the way it will function, advantages and disadvantages as well. It was really creative. Now this old gentleman started “How will it take off?”
“Sir, it will be based on the same principle as the ejection system of pilot’s seat” The kid replied politely.
“That will burn the floor” The Einstein questioned.
The kid was silent.
So he continued “What will it run on?”
“Petrol, Sir” the kid replied, who was a little nervous now.
“Oh, so you will create a lot of air pollution, especially if you are landing indoors somewhere” He had no stop button.
The kid was almost in tears now.
“Mazaa nahi aaya – you were not able to convince me” He remarked and moved on.
I smiled at the kid and told him a little louder, so that even if the old man had a hearing problem then also he could hear me loud and clear “You have done a wonderful job and it is one of the best projects I have seen today. Don’t worry, people said the same things to Wright brothers as well; because people cannot imagine the way they did, but today we have their dream with us and not what people said to them, so keep up the good work!”
The kid’s smile made my day.
Kids are smarter in today’s date. They know a lot more than what we did in our times. And this sentence is working for generations. Our parents said the same for us. But a small difference is that now they have wide range of exposure, and being an inquisitive mind they want to know more learn more and finally develop a broader approach and because of all this, our expectations from them also raise, we think they are smart kids, they know everything, but it is not really the case. They are still the kids but we forget this simple fact and we pressurize them, we become impractical. It doesn't mean, we should not criticise or correct them, if they are wrong but it should be at par to what their age is. We expect a lot from them but we forget what their age is. Let kids learn, grow and rise, but at their own pace.
