PATNA:
November for kids means Children's Day. Youngsters in the city are an
excited lot with schools planning extravagant celebrations to mark the
birth anniversary of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru
on Thursday. However, while fun and frolic would mark November 14
celebrations on most educational campuses in the city, experts think
whether Children's Day celebrations are still relevant in an era where kids are growing up faster than their age.
Over exposure to new age media such as mobile phone, access to the Internet, motorbikes and a flair for fashion has sidetracked children from basic activities of studies and sports. But mentors feel that Children's Day could be one good day to remind youngsters of their childhood and innocence. "No matter what we think, kids are kids. In fact, November 14 would ring a bell for their rights and duties," said Eric John de Rozario, vice principal, Don Bosco Academy.
With changing times and development in science and technology, smartphone apps and tablets are gradually replacing nursery rhyme books. Psychologist Samidha Pandey believes that the innocence of children is still unharmed. "One cannot say that children are growing up ahead of their age. Somehow they are a bit advanced than we were at that age because of electronic gadgets and connectivity. But they are born naive and it is up to the parents and the society to mould them," she says adding that Children's Day is a special way to love and respect them.
However, not many people know that while November 14 is observed as Children's Day in India, the United Nations' (UN) Universal Children's Day is marked on November 20. School teachers too feel that teenagers have a lot of exposure today. Underage accounts on social networking sites are a common phenomenon. In fact, kids fall in 'love' every other week and fall out of it even faster. "You would be surprised to hear the responses of students when we reprimand them for any mistake. They are quick to answer back or defend themselves," said a senior teacher of one of city's premier schools located at Kurji adding, "With latest technologies within their reach, we cannot expect children to be like us when we were their age. Sometimes they know more than their teachers."
The fashion consciousness among children would stun many. Gone are the days when kids were flattered with new clothes. Branded apparels and footwear and designer accessories complete the look of the increasingly fashion conscious kids. In fact, city kids would be flaunting their styles on Thursday when schools celebrate Children's Day, as many of the institutions allow casual wear on the day.
Over exposure to new age media such as mobile phone, access to the Internet, motorbikes and a flair for fashion has sidetracked children from basic activities of studies and sports. But mentors feel that Children's Day could be one good day to remind youngsters of their childhood and innocence. "No matter what we think, kids are kids. In fact, November 14 would ring a bell for their rights and duties," said Eric John de Rozario, vice principal, Don Bosco Academy.
With changing times and development in science and technology, smartphone apps and tablets are gradually replacing nursery rhyme books. Psychologist Samidha Pandey believes that the innocence of children is still unharmed. "One cannot say that children are growing up ahead of their age. Somehow they are a bit advanced than we were at that age because of electronic gadgets and connectivity. But they are born naive and it is up to the parents and the society to mould them," she says adding that Children's Day is a special way to love and respect them.
However, not many people know that while November 14 is observed as Children's Day in India, the United Nations' (UN) Universal Children's Day is marked on November 20. School teachers too feel that teenagers have a lot of exposure today. Underage accounts on social networking sites are a common phenomenon. In fact, kids fall in 'love' every other week and fall out of it even faster. "You would be surprised to hear the responses of students when we reprimand them for any mistake. They are quick to answer back or defend themselves," said a senior teacher of one of city's premier schools located at Kurji adding, "With latest technologies within their reach, we cannot expect children to be like us when we were their age. Sometimes they know more than their teachers."
The fashion consciousness among children would stun many. Gone are the days when kids were flattered with new clothes. Branded apparels and footwear and designer accessories complete the look of the increasingly fashion conscious kids. In fact, city kids would be flaunting their styles on Thursday when schools celebrate Children's Day, as many of the institutions allow casual wear on the day.
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