What your child's teacher would like you to know
During high school, teenagers go through a transition that they do not know how to cope with. Some have their parents supporting them through this struggle but more often than not, they find it difficult to get past the communication barrier. In my career, spanning 3 years teaching O/A Level Biology – at first in Think Tank and now in Cerebro – I have seen numerous students coming to me for help and advice regarding their lives. The issues I will be discussing here have been brought up by the parents too in some cases.
Let them choose their careers
Your kids should be studying something they are passionate about. Since I teach Biology, a lot of students tell me that they do not want to be doctors and I should be telling their parents that. Right now, there are a lot of specialised careers to choose from, like digital marketing, big data analysis and such. In fact, when I was studying Biotechnology at Monash, it was a relatively new field that has now flourished. And finally, not everyone is cut out to be a doctor or an engineer. The rigours of the disciplines can be too much for someone who does not feel passion for it.
Teach them financial responsibility
Nowadays, it is very much possible for kids to have a part-time job during their senior years in high school. The money they earn from those jobs will teach them the value of a taka. There's a misconception that if a student is earning money, they will lose interest in their studies; infact it is the opposite. They will work extra hard to succeed in order to be financially independent throughout their lives. The bonus is that the student will grow up prepared for a professional environment.
Help them financially but not all the time
It is not always your responsibility to bail out your children financially. A lot of times, kids end up spending on things like the latest smartphone, which they really do not need. However, you can always nudge them in the right direction. Encourage your children to apply for scholarships. Another thing that has to be mentioned is that if you are saving up for your child, make sure it is for their higher education and not their marriage. The former is far more important than the latter.
Build their confidence
Do not, at any cost, let your child's confidence be crushed. Grades can be fixed and mistakes will happen at their age, but once their confidence breaks, it will be a monumental task to rebuild it. Do not compare them to other kids, as it will put undue pressure on your child to be someone who they are not – this will absolutely destroy their confidence and could even lead to depression, among other things.
Let them use the Internet
The Internet helps your child know what is happening around the world and takes them a step towards becoming a global citizen, especially if they are looking to get an undergraduate degree abroad. Not only that, without the Internet, they might end up becoming social misfits. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat help them create their own network. However, what you can do is limit the time your child spends on the Internet to stop them from becoming social media addicts.
Guidance is important, but so is freedom
You need to look after your children and be aware of what they are doing but at the same time, you need to give them privacy as they are just developing their personalities and need space. Kids who are always kept on a tight leash end up rebelling once they find small windows of freedom. They are simply not used to independence. So instead of giving them a lot of freedom at once, slowly ease them into it while at the same time making sure they are responsible. Be the guardian they need but also understand that you cannot ensure 24/7 presence in their lives.
Extracurricular activities help for life
Whether it is music, sports, debate, or writing, encourage your child's non-academic interests. Do not stop these activities all of a sudden due to academic pressure. Skills gained from extracurricular activities help a person enrich their lives.
Be more understanding and open to discussion
During their high school years, teenagers start coming of age and the different emotions and changes can be difficult to cope with. This is when they need a person to talk to the most and this is when you need to be the friend they need. You will need to know what your child is going through and they need to know that they can come to you with anything. Bridge that communication gap.
By Saadat Chowdhury
The writer is an O/A level Biology teacher and can be found at Cerebro Education.
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