SELF UPGRADE TIPS FOR CHILDREN (1)

INDEX

Part 1

The Day Is Really Big : Break It Into Small Portions

Good Habits

Hobbies

Reading

Part 2

On Line Courses

Computer/ Internet Based Learning

Blogging

Part 3

Language Courses

Communication Skills

Cooking

Gardening

First Aid Techniques

SELF UPGRADE TIPS FOR CHILDREN : 1

AUTHOR’S NOTE :

The current lock-down has a positive side too. Its time to take stock of things that one has always wanted to do. Though this blog-post has been written for children, there are practical takeaways for all age groups. Most of the tips are applicable well beyond the lock down period.

I would like to acknowledge the valuable tips given by MAJOR GENERAL SHARABH PACHORY (RETIRED) who was our Instructor at the Indian Military Academy, way back in 1992.

The blog, being too long for one sitting, has been broken down in three parts.

– Col AD

“The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best is now.” Old Chinese Saying

THE DAY IS REALLY BIG : BREAK IT INTO SMALL PORTIONS

The magic Cycle : 24 Hours can be divided into:-

8 hours of Sound Sleep. During this time, not only the mind is rested, the body also de-toxifies itself. The cells recuperate and muscles get geared up for the optimum performance. It enhances memory, lowers anxiety and has a positive effect on the body.

1 hour for Body (Exercise) : Get dressed. Walk in the balcony, roof, room, corridor, stairs, wherever it is possible to maintain the ideal social distancing. On Siachen Glacier at 20,000 feet, I along with another officer was confined to a hut of 8’x 8’. The tenure lasted 138 days and all we could do was exercises lying down on the makeshift bed, as one could hardly stand properly. Outside , the weather conditions and snow did not permit any activity.
30min/ 1 hour for the Mind (Yoga/ meditation/ prayer), try a puzzle, sudoku

2 hours – ‘Zero’ Time for all other* things that include the bath, newspaper, getting ready etc.

2 hours for Break*. This includes meals, tea breaks and 1 hour of afternoon nap.

That leaves 10 hourswhich can be divided into 4 slots of 2.5 hours

If we take out 5 hours for study and self development, we still have 5 hoursfor entertainment, internet, family games, phone calls etc.

Out of 5 hours for study and self development 2-3 HOURS SHOULD BE FOR ACADEMIC/COURSE/CURRICULUM RELATED STUDIES, whereas BALANCE 2-3 HOURS CAN BE UTILISED FOR SELF DEVELOPMENT. This time can make a huge difference. Here are a few options which will pay rich dividends if followed religiously.

Make a schedule and stick to it.

Here are a few things that can form part of the Golden 3 Hour self Development part of the day. Remember that not everything has to be done everyday. But do start as as soon as possible as the saying goes ‘well begun is half done’

GOOD HABITS

Personal Hygiene : This is time to set an ideal routine for personal hygiene. Good personal hygiene will ensure good health, good personality and good life. We have learnt the fine art of washing the hands properly in a rather hard way.. haven’t we?

Personal Care: Setting up cupboards, washing and ironing clothes, polishing own shoes , cleaning toilet and a number of similar activities not only save time but will also make one less dependent on external help. At any good hotel the laundry is costly. I always ask for iron and ironing board and thus am able to save precious money too. This also develops a much sought after trait called ‘Responsibility’, which at times helps you clear an interview.

Prayers : The practice of daily prayers is dying down. Children don’t do it. 10 minutes of concentration and gratitude to the almighty doesn’t do any harm. Simple meditation can also do wonders.

HOBBIES

A good hobby is the easiest thing to acquire. I love to read, write and listen to music. Lately, I have picked up photography and music. Now my day is full of interesting activities. Hobbies save you from boredom, keep you sharp and give you a sense of achievement.

There is no dearth of good material for any hobby. If you are a music buff, you can create and share playlists of your favourite singers online. You can take free online lessons of your favourite musical instrument. You can even post your videos on Youtube…and await the thrill of ‘likes’

You can do research on almost any subject of interest to you….for example, children, may research how the toothpaste they use every morning is made and reaches their bathroom!

You must encourage children to read as many books as they can. So many books in digital format are available free of cost. Serious readers can download Kindle application and take Kindle Unlimited membership. You can exchange books with your neighbours. This is the best time to inculcate the reading habit in children…its a very useful, but unfortunately a dying hobby

Audio books and Podcasts are also available for those who do not have inclination to read or cannot access books physically. A simple mobile application ‘CASTBOX’ is good enough for beginners. The podcasts are generally 10 minutes to 30 minutes long and cover almost all the subjects.

READING

Though reading has been covered under hobbies, but its more than just a hobby for each one of us. Reading for knowledge and reading for entertainment are different. We must encourage the children to read books on variety of subjects like General Knowledge, History, Geography, Science, Non Fiction and Self Help books etc. Even simplified versions of religious texts can spiritually elevate children. They must be encouraged to read these.

Newspaper editorials, Special Features, magazines and Research papers present a good alternative to books as these are concise and more focussed. Teenagers should be encouraged to pick up a newspaper and magazine of their choice.

Reading should also include two newspapers, one in English and one in Hindi/ regional language. Encourage them to give the highlights of the days news with their own assessment before or after the meal.

A number of comic books like Amar Chitra Katha, Asterix, TinTin etc are available free of cost as pdf.

24 hours can be turned into a great learning experience. The catch lies in starting early, making a plan and sticking to it. It takes 21 days to form a habit and most of the self up-gradation tips come with a lifetime applicability. Option is entirely yours.

Stay indoors, stay safe and stay motivated.

CONTINUED……

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