In the heart of Gurgaon, a city known for its rapid development and bustling energy, a worrying trend is emerging: our younger children are increasingly side-lined from the joys and benefits of physical games and sports.
While digital devices and screens offer endless entertainment and educational opportunities, they’re also often casting a long & quiet shadow over playgrounds and fields where children should be running, jumping, exerting, and exploring.
THE DIGITAL LURE: A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD?
The lure of the digital world is undeniable. For children, tablets and smartphones offer a gateway to captivating games, engaging videos, and instant connection with friends.
However, this constant connectivity comes at a cost. Studies have shown that excessive screen time can lead to a sedentary lifestyle, impacting children’s physical health, cognitive development, and social skills.
We are also noticing many kids who have ostensibly gone to playgrounds to play – sitting on the side – near playgrounds but instead engaged on their phones.
IS THIS SOME SILENT, GOING UNNOTICED, UNMONITORED ADDICTION?
A City of Paradox: Abundance and Absence
Gurgaon presents a fascinating paradox.
On the one hand, the city boasts a wealth of modern sports facilities, from reasonably well-equipped playgrounds to state-of-the-art sports complexes. Now, most newer societies have well-equipped play/sports facilities in or near their respective clubhouses.
Yet, these spaces are visibly often underutilized – with some playgrounds only utilized fully or, on many days, just empty. Why?
The answer, it seems, lies in the growing dominance of digital entertainment and the pressures of a highly competitive academic environment – with kids wasting precious hours daily.
UNDERUTILIZED SPORTS/PLAY RESOURCES: A MISSED OPPORTUNITY?
Despite the availability of excellent sports infrastructure, an adequate number of children are simply not showing up. The playgrounds are often empty, the fields are deserted, and the basketball courts echo with silence. This underutilized represents a significant missed opportunity. These facilities, built with the intention of fostering physical activity and healthy development, are failing to serve their purpose adequately.
THE CULPRITS: DIGITAL DISTRACTION AND ACADEMIC PRESSURE?
The primary culprits behind this trend are the twin forces of digital distraction and academic pressure. Children are increasingly drawn to the immersive world of screens, while the relentless pursuit of educational excellence leaves little time or energy for physical activity. The result is a generation of children who are physically inactive and socially isolated. Or sometimes kids are spending hours (2-3 hours or so, daily) in school buses traveling “to & fro daily” to a distant big brand school – and then using part of their time on board to play some interesting online games???
WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF INACTIVITY FOR CHILDREN ?
A Cause for Concern
The lack of physical activity among young children can have serious consequences. Childhood obesity rates are on the rise, and children are missing out on the essential social & cognitive skills and coordination that come from active play. Moreover, the social and emotional benefits of team sports and group games are being lost, potentially leading to increased isolation, loneliness, and anxiety.
The Gurgaon Factor: A City of Opportunities & Challenges
Gurgaon’s unique urban landscape does present, at times, additional challenges in some residential pockets, too. The city’s rapid expansion has led to a decrease in the density of green spaces and, in some residential districts, playgrounds, limiting opportunities for outdoor play. Additionally, the competitive academic environment, pressure to take coaching sometimes, and some of the above aspects can put pressure on children to prioritize studies over physical activities.
FINDING THE BALANCE: A CALL TO ACTION
As parents, educators, and community members, it’s our responsibility to address this issue. We need to find ways to encourage our children to step away from their screens and embrace the world of physical play.
This could involve:
- Creating more green spaces and playgrounds: Investing consciously with your respective RWAs in community spaces where children can run, play, and explore. After all, children are the future of our society – and so, just having clubs for us adults is not correct.
- Promoting active transportation: Encouraging children to walk or cycle to school rather than relying on cars or buses.
- Choosing a nearby school consciously. So they have time to practice & play – rather than wasting time in daily bus travel to distant big/fancy school.
- Integrating physical activity into the school day: Ensuring that children have ample opportunities for physical play, education, and recess to reflect, maybe read – and not be glued to their screens.
- Limiting screen time at home: Setting clear boundaries around screen usage and encouraging alternative activities like outdoor play, sports, and family games.
- Leading by example: Parents can model healthy habits by being physically active themselves and engaging in active play with their children.
The Future of Play: A Shared Responsibility
The future of our children & therefore, our society- depends on our ability to create a balanced environment where they can thrive both physically and mentally. By recognizing the importance of physical play and, taking steps to promote it, and enabling /encouraging them to get time & facilities to play, we can ensure that the next generation of Gurgaon children is healthy, happy, and well-rounded.
Let’s start a conversation:
- WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE ISSUE OF DIGITAL ADDICTION AND PHYSICAL INACTIVITY AMONG YOUNG CHILDREN IN GURGAON?
- What steps can we take as a community to address this challenge?
- Share your ideas and experiences in the comments below!
Are we prioritizing digital literacy at the expense of our children’s overall development? Are we forgetting the importance of real-world experiences and human connection? And are reading books & writing on paper not relevant??
Nations like Germany, France, and Australia are increasingly recognizing the importance of minimizing/substituting or even eliminating screen time, particularly for \younger children, and promoting traditional learning methods.
Research is now concluding that reading paper books and writing by hand on paper are fundamental skills that are essential for academic success and cognitive-brain development.
These activities promote brain & memory development and literacy, enhance vocabulary and reflection, and improve critical thinking & numerous mental skills/abilities. The act of physically writing helps children develop fine motor skills and, strengthens the connection between the brain and hand & develops the brain the right way.
Unlike the passive experience of watching a screen, reading and writing require active engagement and critical thinking. They encourage children to process information, analyze ideas, and form their own opinions.
A Smaller school in your neighborhood is just right – for your child.
We are, therefore, a no screens up till primary grades in our compact green campus – an exclusive neighborhood school – with age-appropriate & number of kids-appropriate sports facilities – and as our child-centered policy, do not enroll kids from far-off locales within Gurgaon!
We hope this helps you, dear parent!
Meanwhile, enjoy developing your child at a good neighborhood school, home, and outdoors.
There are some great parks/green spots/sports fields near as well near our school campuses – consider locating a suitable one in your neighborhood for encouraging physical activity – the seeds of any sports – near, say:
- SouthCity1
- Sector31
- Sector40
- Sushant Lok
- Sector72
- Sector70
- Sectot71
- Sector48
- Badshahpur corridor*
- Leisure Valley
(*) which is right next to the Sixth Element – Tata Primanti campus – and the trees near our school’s north/east boundary help filter our school campus air, too.
Why – the Sixth Element School?
Very simply, the Sixth Element was a phrase coined by the school founders 20 years back to illustrate igniting the joy of learning – so crucial 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:
- Instill values: Understanding differences between right and wrong is discussed in its many facets, often also debating 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?
As the Sixth Element, education should go beyond classrooms. Our green, airy, spacious campuses are a living laboratory where children learn exponentially 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 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 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, using the proper methods and practices. As an example, our foundational fitness program, which is delivered in partnership with Fit Kids, our gym, our green playgrounds, and great coaches, gives a tremendous 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 BENCH-MARKED 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)
85272-74695 or 97736-32626
since 2004(20 years)
Limited enrollment is available in pre-nursery, NURSERY, KG & DAYCARE, and grade 1 in our pre-nursery to K12 school programs.
@ Gurgaon’s only single-section “exclusive” boutique VENTILATED, AIRY, SPACIOUS. GREEN SCHOOL CAMPUSES
