The smart little creatures

You cannot keep information from children in this generation. FILE PHOTO.

I remember vividly, how as children when we made mistakes and were punished, someone always came to the rescue saying that they are children, they do not know better.

Many, many years have passed, the world progressed and technology opened everyone’s horizons. Even new-borns of today are more alert and responsive than those of three decades ago. Toddlers as young as one can operate tablets and smartphones, still, people are branding children as ignorant.

Guilt-trip
You know, these little ones are taking us for a ride! Just look at their face when they stand in front of an object that we told them, tens of times, not to touch, and how they touch it while looking at us, straight into the eyes, with a cheeky smile, waiting for our reaction. When they fail to get our attention, they use the most effective weapon, crying.

If that does not help melt our hearts, they take it a notch higher and start screaming. Such loud screams that every nerve in our ears are ready to explode and of course their choice of time and place is perfect, in public.

This is when parents rush to calm the child down worrying about other people’s peace, these demands vary between the need to be carried or looking for that sweet treat that is not allowed at that time.
Of course, these days, and with the abundance of sweets and toys, such things are no longer on the demand list, the toddler’s eyes are on your mobile phone or your iPad.

They each have their own favourite musical or animation and sometimes won’t accept otherwise! How can one brand such a child who knows exactly what he/she wants to see and hear, at a certain time, as ignorant?

In fact, it is proven that if one starts teaching a child different languages before the age of three, chances are very good that they would master them for the rest of their lives.

Monkey see, monkey do
As joyful and proud are parents when they see their young child perform like adults, as careful and mindful they should become that these children are watching them very closely. Every action taken by adults is scrutinised by children.

Every word uttered about others behind their backs is registered and might be revealed at the most embarrassing time and in the presence of the person who was backbitten.

Give children the best
Therefore, a child’s education must become a priority for parents, it is not the duty of schools alone to shape the character and manners of our children, it is in our homes that all starts.
When we stop fighting, lying and backbiting, and not just in front of our children, and pay attention to these pure souls that has been entrusted to us by their Creator.

It is only then that we are laying the foundation of a world with no double standards, a world where integrity and good character are the norm. Children are smart and as clear as mirrors, let us treat them in that way, so they reflect the best of humanity.

IMPACT
The first thing to do is to engage your children in a conversation about information. You may be surprised to learn that your children are acutely aware that the current rate of information that is flooding into their brains is overwhelming and stressing them out. They just don’t know how to deal with it. That’s where you come in. Work with your children to find ways in which you can help them to reduce their input to a manageable level without, of course, causing them to miss out on important information, whether academic, social or simply of personal interest to them.