School Anxiety
is a common experience by most children. we forget usually that children can suffer from Anxiety and all related symptoms.
childhood is not always a happy time as we adults think.
when we grow up we usually forget about what children think,understand and capable to do.
As adults we must keep in mind we are grown up but children are still children, they will have their experiences by their time zone of age. School years, studies and academic pressure is getting even more worse. Obtaining marks, joining some good college , entry tests, personality tests, and all other criteria have increased school anxiety among little souls.
Our education system does not allow to relax, we compare, we make merit lists, we display struggling student's list out of class room doors. We spank, we shout, we bang, we punish, we embarrass children. All types of metal, emotional abuse is a regular part of schooling in Pakistan and many other countries.
A common slogan displayed in school doesn't work here.
Emotional and mental torture is even more bad for mental health of students than physical punishment. Schools need to make policy for counseling and better guidance. Teacher training is critical to handle students. Its true that not all students are alike. Some are modest, some are mischievous, some are even delinquent.
Teaching is not just about making students learn a topic, its about handling sprouts, training minds.
The concept of PLASTICITY OF MIND , is a must to learn about students. It means , children learn by modeling the behaviors, we can shape up behavior by using some principles of learning.
One such method is OPERANT LEARNING. We can give or draw reinforcements or rewards for children. Positive Reinforcement is anything the children want to have . It must not be some thing very precious for example, it can be class representative award, selection in drama club, hosting an event. There can also be negative reinforcement , for example withdrawing something that student is currently enjoying such as free WiFi, use of transport by school, membership cancellation . Research shows that negative reinforcement works even more than positive one. behavior shaping occurs more strongly by negative reinforcement i.e. taking away some thing desirable for which you have gone Habitual.
Children need your time, spend a few moments with them, listen to them, learn about heir fears, talk to them, support and guide them in a positive way. Remember that if you will not provide them guidance,some one else will do it but may be it will cost you and your child in the worst of its ways. Do not laugh at your child even if you think he speaks crazy ,
school anxiety is real ,its devastating for your child's mental peace.
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