HOW SHOULD WE NURTURE & DEVELOP OUR YOUNGER ONES?
Here are some thoughts on raising Brighter, Smarter, Stronger, Better Children
The Early- younger Years: A Foundation for Lifelong Learning
Children are like sponges, soaking up information & insights from their surroundings. They are constantly observing/sensing & the early-younger years( 0 to 6; and upto 12 years) are particularly crucial in shaping their cognitive, emotional, and physical development.
Not just enrolling in a good “neighborhood school”, as parents, we have the unique opportunity to influence their growth and lay the groundwork for a successful future.
Strategies to Foster all-round development:
1. Stimulate Their Curiosity:
- Ask open-ended questions: Encourage them to express themselves, think critically and explore their ideas.
- Read together: Introduce them to various books, stories, and cultures. Visit book shops together, and let them see others browsing/selecting books. The school library is another source to tap into.
- Visit museums, zoos, and local sights: Spark their interest in the world around them. There are many places to visit in our neighborhoods – use each weekend to explore with your child/children.
2. Encourage Physical Activity:
- Play outdoors: Get them involved in games that promote movement and coordination.
- Enroll them in sports: Provide opportunities for physical activity and teamwork. Team games – like football/basketball/cricket, are as crucial as individual sports like badminton/tennis/golf/swimming/athletics. Try to ensure they cover both segments.
- Set a good example: children observe adults very carefully. Let’s show them the importance of a healthy lifestyle & habits.
Important tip: for this to practically happen, avoid sending your child to a distant school, as daily to and for travel in school buses – can sap/tire them (and dropping/picking up/waiting at bus stops can be tricky for parents/guardians too), and given that they will need to spend some time on academics too – all the travel( and filling up the bus/dropping kids across colonies – can take a lot of time daily- not worth it- particularly for younger children) will effectively leave little time for sports – either in the morning or evenings?
3. Nurture Emotional Intelligence:
- Listen actively: Pay attention to their feelings and emotions.
- Teach coping mechanisms: Help them develop healthy ways to manage stress and anxiety. So, don’t just protect them – support them in getting up on their own if they fall/fail- overcome difficulties independently.
- Model empathy and kindness: Show them the value of compassion and understanding with others, including the underprivileged.
4. Foster a Growth Mindset:
- Celebrate their efforts: Focus on their hard work, discipline and perseverance – rather than just their achievements.
- Encourage resilience: Help them & encourage them to bounce back from setbacks and learn from their mistakes.
- Provide opportunities to try new things: Support their exploration and curiosity.
- Ensure you go for their school PTMs: listen to your child’s teacher in a non-critical way (they are experts) – and seek their input on how you can support/partner with the teacher(s) to develop your child more.
HOW SHOULD WE MAKE THEM STRONGER?
Build Physical and Emotional Strength:
- Engage in physical activities: Encourage them to participate in sports, dance, or other activities.
- Provide play opportunities: Allow them to play freely, participate in sports(without pushing them to win – as the desire to win will naturally emerge from within) and explore their physical abilities.
- Teach resilience: Help them develop the ability to bounce back from setbacks, failures and disappointments.
- Model emotional strength: Demonstrate how to handle challenges with grace and perseverance.
Limit Screen Time:
- Set boundaries: Establish clear rules for screen usage. Avoid joining schools that use screen-based/laptop-led schooling in grades 1 and onward. The right age to use screens during schooling is much later – say only in middle/high schools – and even then, a hybrid model of using books & writing on paper by hand is proven to help brain development & knowledge/skill development & retention), is highly desirable.
- Encourage alternative activities: Promote reading, playing, and spending time outdoors.
- Be a role model: Limit your own screen time & set a positive example – they oversee us.
Remember: Every child is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. The most important thing is to provide a loving, supportive, positive and engaging environment at home or when you are with your child – fostering growth and development.
By implementing these strategies, you can help your child reach their full potential and become a bright, intelligent, strong, and better individual.
What are your thoughts on raising brighter, more intelligent, more robust, better children? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below.
The Sixth Element School encourages all of the above
why – the Sixth Element?
The Sixth Element was a phrase coined by the school founders 20 years back to illustrate igniting the joy of learning – crucial for children’s development – as we nurture and prepare them 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:
- Instill values: Understanding differences between right and wrong is often discussed in its many facets. It also discusses environmental issues, volunteering for community activities and clean-ups, and respecting all living beings.
- Values as a Compass: Values are the moral principles that guide our actions. The Cambridge International Curriculum emphasizes global citizenship and community service and 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), upcycling, 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. Students develop a strong sense of confidence and resilience by setting and achieving goals.
- 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?
As one of the best school in Gurgaon, Sixth Element, 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 successful individuals and 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 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 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 many outdoor activities & experiential learning (physical – not digital) occur with children on most days.
Our unique Smaller campus – with only two sections per class grade – and minimal children on campus allow us to focus on each child’s growth & development properly.
We are proud of our high-quality, committed teachers – the backbone of any good learning environment.
We raise well-rounded, future-ready individuals who are prepared to face the world’s challenges with confidence and integrity, using the proper methods and practices. For example, our foundational fitness program, delivered in partnership with Fit Kids, our gym, our green playgrounds, and our great coaches, gives our school kids a tremendous foundational fitness start.
A good understanding and partnership between parents and schools are vital to nurturing the future leaders of Gurugram, our great nation and planet.
THE SIXTH ELEMENT SCHOOL WE BELIEVE IN THE IMPORTANCE OF CATALYSING & 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 school children love
SOUTH CITY 1. TATA PRIMANTI (sector 72)
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