Froebel's Kindergarten and the Development of the Child

The Concept of the kindergarten system of education for young children revolutionized our concepts of education when it first came out. Quite possibly, the full implications of this system of education has not fully been explored. Nevertheless, the adequate and serious developmental issues that take place during this period in the young student learner is enormous. 

Having a crush on the class teacher

 It is quite natural for students to be attracted to a member of the opposite sex in a leadership position. The teacher in many cases fosters love, respect, adoration and even sexual attraction. Although the following video was just an experiment, many of the issues raised need to be addressed by a mature teacher, fully aware of the dynamics of the situation. 

The Importance of Family as an Agency of Education

 In the old days, it was customary to grow up with an extended family support system aiding the growth and development of the child. Slowly due to the stresses, pressures and economic realities that modern society places upon us, the loving and nurturing effect of elders in the family is decreasing. 

Teaching Empathy to Young Children

 How can we instil the values of love and compassion in the minds of our beloved children, even at a very early stage of their development? Children learn much more from actually doing something as opposed to mere bookish knowledge of values. When children are placed in a context in which they have the opportunity to display their innate values, just a little bit of guidance is required to mould the desired behavioural change. I think that most people would be shocked to know how much love, compassion and understanding are already within our young ones. 

 

Testing Restraint in Young Children

Many of my fellow students and teachers would have heard of the famous marshmallow experiment. The experiment done with young children brought about a revolution in the minds of teachers and children all over the world. The implications of proper testing and predictive tools aids greatly in the future development of the child as demonstrated by this experiment. 

Sex Education in School with Conan O' Brien

Perhaps my favourite comedian is Conan. I always love his specials and actually showed this video clip regarding sex education in my  class. Although this was done mostly for comedic effect, the chance at placing these concepts before students in a less serious setting made many of the points stick out.

Sibling Rivalry and its effects in later life

No matter how old you get, if you are a sibling that felt that you were the neglected one during your childhood - the effect of it lasts throughout your entire life. 

Learning and Developmental Disorders

There are many psychological and medical issues that face young learners while at school. Dyslexia is probably one of the most common issues that we come across amongst children with some sort of special need. It is very important to take a very sympathetic and holistic approach to the problem.

Motivating young females students to take up a career in science

The problem of motivation in education is an age-old problem. How to inspire young learners to get excited about the problems and opportunities that a career in science offers. I always crack up when remembering the first time I watched this episode of The Big Bang Theory.

First Day of Pre-School

 How many of us remember our first day of school? I remember my mother dropping me off and crying for what seemed like an eternity. Sooner or later, things change and those very things which seemed difficult at first becomes second nature and natural.

Emotional Issues in Young School Children

 A lot goes on beyond the walls of the classroom that directly impacts the nature of what goes on in the classroom. Students may ordinarily be smart, diligent and eager to learn but are hindered from doing so by many factors beyond the direct control of the teacher. A smart, perceptive teacher needs to be equipped to handle many of these issues. The teacher should know that the proper guidance and counselling of students whose behaviour suddenly changes is one sure warning sign of potential issues that need to be addressed. 

 

Children learn more from example than precepts

 We all like to think that with proper guidance and direction to our younger ones, children will naturally grow up with proper values and morals instilled in them. But how are we supposed to make this happen. Children learn much more from a living, vibrant example, as opposed to only verbal effusions of good conduct - as illustrated from the following video. 

First Post on this blog

 As a teacher with a wide variety of experience among different age groups, cultures, and a few countries - I have always thought of unique ways of explaining things that need to be explained, in a way that sticks in the minds of my students. Numerous times during my classes, students would talk about many of the sitcoms that they had watched the previous night, and would happily be able to recount the many student / youth issues that were raised.

So, this is a project that has been in my mind for a long time. My main aim here is to present before my fellow teachers and students, curated videos from many sitcoms, movies, shows and other popular media and categorize them around the specific educational concepts that they highlight. Perhaps they would direct my users minds to these same concepts in a new light. 

If not, my hope is that they would at least offer a bit of respite to my fellow teachers and students.