Why do Values Matter More Than Ever?
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit of academic excellence. We often prioritize our children’s grades, test scores, and future career prospects. However, there’s another equally important aspect of education that often gets overlooked – values.
Values are the moral principles and beliefs that guide our actions and decisions. They shape our character, our relationships, and our overall well-being. When we instill values in our children, we’re not just preparing them for academic success; we’re equipping them with the tools they need to navigate life’s challenges with integrity, confidence, and compassion; as also teach good behavior – as important, if not more for success in life.
How to Teach Values to Your Child?
Teaching values to young learners is a lifelong process – that begins at home.
Here are some effective strategies:
- Lead by Example: Children learn by observing. If you want your child to be honest, kind, and respectful, you need to demonstrate those qualities in your own daily life.
- Open Communication: Create a safe, positive, and supportive environment where your child feels comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings. Encourage open and honest conversations about values and morality, right or wrong.
- Real-Life Examples: Use real-life examples to illustrate the importance of values. Discuss news stories, books, and movies that highlight positive and negative behaviors. Avoid seeing media that illustrates the wrong values.
- Encourage Empathy: Help your child develop empathy by teaching them to understand and share the feelings of others. Volunteer together in your community or participate in charitable activities.
- Set Clear Expectations: Establish clear expectations for your child’s behavior and reinforce positive choices. Use praise and rewards to encourage good behavior, but avoid criticism that is harsh or humiliating.
Which values should we emphasize?
While many values are important to teach children, here are a few that are particularly essential:
- Honesty: Teach your child the importance of being truthful and trustworthy.
- Kindness: Encourage your child to be compassionate and considerate of others.
- Respect: Help your child develop respect for themselves, their peers, authority figures, as also while engaging with underprivileged or our support staff.
- Responsibility: Teach your child to take responsibility for their actions and to be accountable for their choices.
- Perseverance: Help your child develop resilience and the ability to overcome challenges.
- Sustainability & Eco-friendly practices. Grow/have lots of potted plants &, if possible, a small kitchen garden at home. Recycle: give used or unused clothes to underprivileged/others – and be comfortable taking from others – as a means to encourage recycling. Avoid plastics: Avoid plastic usage. Use a cloth carry bag with you & your child when doing sundry/small shopping. Avoid food wastage
Celebrate their good values & good behavior achievements: Recognize and reward their efforts and accomplishments.
CONCLUSION
By instilling values in your child, you are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime. Values are the foundation upon which they will build their character, their relationships, and their future. So, let’s make it a priority to teach our children not only the ABCs, the sciences, arts, sports & extracurricular – but equally the virtues that will guide them to enable them to progress on their journey through life.
Remember, the key to sparking lifelong good behavior & values is to make it part of your home culture.
At the sixth element school – all of the above are emphasized and reinforced and are a part of our school culture.
- We are incidentally a ‘UNIFORM’ school – so children in our formal school classes – nursery upwards are required to daily wear our bright, & uniquely comfortable school uniforms in a smart blue-grey-white careful design (which is equally comfortable & flexible for use both in classrooms & for play in playgrounds) – when on our school campuses.
- This helps to reinforce the we are all equal culture. No one gets the feeling of superiority owning to wearing “different” dresses (all this is part of our school culture & values/behavior development program)
In our evolving world, it’s important to supplement the efforts of school & equip our children with more than just academics. So they become curious, confident, and values-led, well-rounded individuals.
the Sixth Element School values & encourages all of the above
why – the Sixth Element?
Very simply, the Sixth Element was a phrase coined by the school founders 20 years back to illustrate igniting the joy of learning – so important for children’s development – as we nurture and get them ready for the future.
How to Foster a Well-Rounded Child?
While there is lots of operating structure and detailed SOPs in the school’s daily /weekly/monthly/annual – schedules – “how” the same is executed is unique – i.e., the Sixth element way of incorporating co-curricular & scientific & artistic activities, project work, etc – leading to children enjoy learning & look forward to coming to school each day (and interestingly they do miss school on holidays 😊 ! )
Some examples of what’s done to instill values & character building:
- Instil values: Understanding differences between right and wrong is discussed in its many facets, often also discussing environmental issues, volunteering for community activities, clean-ups, and respecting all living beings.
- Values as a Compass: Values are the moral principles that guide our actions. The Cambridge International Curriculum, with its emphasis on global citizenship and community service, fosters values like respect, empathy, and responsibility.
- Embrace sustainability: Reduce waste, conserve energy, and grow your food together. Encouraging minimalism (BTW, we are a uniform school), up-cycling, gardening, and exploring green technologies like rainwater harvesting, recycling, etc
- Building Confidence: The curriculum’s focus on individual & team achievement (over experiential projects in small groups) and overcoming difficulties – and making progress, encouraged by the teacher, helps build self-esteem. By setting and achieving goals, students develop a strong sense of confidence and resilience.
- Life Skills for Real World: The curriculum’s focus on independent learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving equips students with essential life skills. These skills are invaluable in navigating challenges and opportunities- building confidence.
THE SIXTH ELEMENT School’s commitment to sustainability?
At the Sixth Element as one of the best school in Gurgaon, we believe that education should go beyond classrooms. Our green, airy, spacious campuses are a living laboratory where children learn experimentally about sustainable practices. From solar panels to rainwater harvesting, recycling & near no plastics usage.
Our curriculum integrates sustainability into every subject, fostering a deep appreciation for nature, science, commerce & the arts – while instilling a desire to protect our planet.
By igniting the joy of learning and nurturing curiosity, confidence, values, and environmental consciousness – we empower children to become not only successful individuals but equally responsible members of society and global citizens.
Does a unique International Curriculum School like the Sixth Element help?
A progressive, holistic school following Cambridge International Curriculum significantly contributes to lots of experiential learning and project-based work.
The Sixth Element School: Where Cambridge International meets India- in an exclusive, low-density, impactful format
The reason why we chose the Cambridge International curriculum is that the blend of teacher-directed as well as learner-self-driven learning & research seems to be relevant for aspirational kids from Indian families, keen on preparing their kids to be global citizens of the future – whether based in India or overseas.
Is the Sixth Element School duly registered with Cambridge International?
Yes, The Sixth Element School – is duly registered as one of over 10,000 schools globally – as a Cambridge International school with a global registration number IA 892
Are you keen to see what a unique school like The Sixth Element School offers? Schedule a visit and see for yourself why it could be the perfect launchpad for your child’s bright, global future!
We started the first sixth element school 20 years back in 2004 @ Gurgaon.
Our schools & afternoon extended school & afternoon ‘activities enriched’ daycare centers are unique, exclusive, compact neighborhood green campuses – where a lot of outdoor activities & experiential learning (physical – not digital) take place with children on most days.
Our unique Smaller campus – with only two sections – limited children, allows us to focus on each child’s growth & development properly.
We are proud of our high-quality, committed teacherss – the very backbone of any good learning environment.
We raise well-rounded future ready individuals who are prepared to face the challenges of the world with confidence and integrity – with the right methods and practices. As an example – our foundational fitness program delivered in partnership with fit Kids, our gym, our green playgrounds, and great coaches – gives a great foundational fitness start to our school kids.
A good understanding and partnership between parents and schools are key to nurturing the future leaders of Gurugram, our great nation, and our planet.
THE SIXTH ELEMENT SCHOOL WE BELIEVE IN THE IMPORTANCE OF CATALYZING & ENSURING “THE SIXTH ELEMENT – i.e. THE JOY OF LEARNING ” FOR EVERY CHILD. OUR CURRICULUM IS BENCHMARKED WITH THE BEST INTERNATIONALLY WHILE DRAWING FROM OUR VERY OWN CORE ANCIENT INDIAN BEST PRACTICES SUCH AS THE GURU SHISHYA PARAMPARA) & VALUES. THANKS TO ITS 20+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND ITS CORE CHILD DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES DRAWN FROM PIAGET, VYGOSTKY, AND BRUNER – WHICH IS INCIDENTALLY THE RESOURCE POOL – FOR THE FOUNDATIONAL YEARS SCHOOL CURRICULUM OF THE UPGRADED NEW EDUCATION (NEP) UNDER ROLLOUT IN INDIA NOW.
So, in line with some of India’s top and globally the very best, we are now a unique 100% Cambridge International School.
the Sixth Element School
the schoolchildren love
SOUTH CITY 1. TATA PRIMANTI (sector 72)
Contact us for Admission: 85272-74695 or 97736-32626
since 2004(20 years)
Limited enrollment available in pre-NURSERY, NURSERY, KG & DAYCARE, grade 1 now – in our prenursery to K12 school programs.
@ Gurgaon’s only single-section “exclusive” boutique VENTILATED, AIRY, SPACIOUS. GREEN SCHOOL CAMPUSES
