Effective mentoring of the child to adapt to
the socio-environmental challenges
“ He who can does, he who can not teaches ”
G Bernard Shaw
• Many of the key innovations, concepts which shaped the development of
the world owe their origin to the teachers in the Universities
• It is through the teacher the child knows the world, understands the
world and learns how to tackle the world.
• Hence the position of a teacher, precedes even God in our
philosophy- Maata, Pita, GURU, Eashwar
The role of the teacher in shaping the child
“Child …… is the father of Man ”
William Wordsworth
The modern child is the father of newspaper reading, advertisement believing, propaganda
swallowing demagogue led man !
the need for Mentoring *
When, why, where
It has become necessary to start right at the
pre-primary stage
The stress even at that stage in the current social and
environmental situation
The stress:
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As providers and caretakers, adults tend to view the world of children as happy and carefree.
After all, kids don't have jobs to keep or bills to pay, so what could they possibly have to worry
about?
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Plenty! Even very young children have worries and feel stress to some degree.
Sources of Stress
•
Stress is a function of the demands placed on us and our ability to meet them. These demands often
come from outside sources, such as family,jobs, friends, or school. But it also can come from within,
often related to what we think we should be doing versus what we're actually able to do.
• So stress can affect anyone who feels overwhelmed — even kids. In preschoolers, separation from
parents can cause anxiety. As kids get older, academic and social pressures (especially from trying
to fit in) create stress.
• Kids' stress may be intensified by more than just what's happening in their own lives, like arguments
between parents also involving financial matters, death of loved ones etc. Children will pick up on
their parents' anxieties and start to worry themselves.
• World news can cause stress. Kids who see disturbing images on TV or hear talk of natural disasters,
war, and terrorism may worry about their own safety and that of the people they love.
• Complicating factors, such as divorce of parents can add to the everyday pressures kids face, the stress
is magnified. Even the most amicable divorce can be a difficult experience for kids because their basic
security system — their family —is undergoing a tough change.
What the kids say they are stressed about:
A study says kids were stressed out the most by:
grades, school, and homework (36%); family (32%); and friends, peers, gossip, and teasing (21%)
How they cope themselves:
These are the coping strategies kids said they use the most (they could give more than
one response):
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
52%
44%
42%
30%
29%
28%
26%
23%
22%
11%
play or do something active
listen to music
watch TV or play a video game
talk to a friend
try not to think about it
try to work things out
eat something
lose their temper
talk to a parent
cry
The basic problem in the present social set up
Nuclear families
No avenue to let off steam, no elderly counsel/support, no sibling to
share and care
Essentiality of a place outside of home to substantially address these needs
Schools as de-stress centres
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Place where the children spend more time other than home
Schools should be child-centric
Environment in the school is very important for the mental health of the child
The visual is more effective in inspiration
Disposition of the care givers ( teachers )
Methods of care
National High Schools
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A hundred year old institution
From Pre-primary to Higher Secondary levels
Separate schools ( Boys & Girls) from secondary stage
Excellent Board exams performances
Motivated staff
Adequate infrastructure
Supportive Management
Catering to wide sections of the society
Vision for the future
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Infrastructural upliftment
Expert counselling
Scholastic networking
Staff orientation facilities
Inter-school involvements
Seminars/ discussions
The objective
 Shape the aspirations of the child
 Inspire to evolve into a good,
honourable and purposeful citizen of
the country
So that
“ Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake ”
Rabindra Nath Tagore