ANECDOTES SERIAL 2 LIFESKILLS & FRIENDSHIP

LIFE SKILLS

On a bright sunny day we started the weekly session on Life Skills with Class 6 students of a reputed school. It was the first session. After exchanging pleasantries and breaking ice,  interactive mode of learning allowed each one to share views in an enabling  environment which is non-judgmental and non-threatening. This is the most effective form of learning which progressively empowers youth to be accountable for their choices in life without blaming others. 

Students on being asked as to their understanding of LifeSkills   said—how to live life, art of living life and shared about 7/8 perspectives. We challenged them to think more intently.  I still recall the bubbly bunch of 10 to 12 year old boys sharing quality inputs.

At one stage perceptive ability of one joggled me for sure when he said –Sir if ‘S’ is rubbed off “Life Kills”; an apt description of the essence of Life Skills.  Since then we have been narrating this episode to highlight the significance of life skills. It has always been helpful in driving home the point.

Such powerful inputs from young minds have been enriching my life since 2000.

                          FRIENDSHIP

‘Birds of same feather flock together’, choose your friends wisely are some of the quotes of yore that one may find helpful. 

Dynamics of friendship during adolescent years are challenging as most are affected by it. Hormonal pressures almost compulsively cause on and off relationship for petty differences and group identity. Interplay of emotional and sociological factors has bearing too.

 Unmanaged emotional stress disturbs the comfort zone intensely in that substantial number of boys as well as girls choose to vent their feelings thru self injury/suicidal

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attempts/substance abuse. Their self esteem and self worth  spiral down distracting them from studies and healthy activities. 

Nevertheless friendship is the foremost factor that students look forward to.  How to maintain quality relationship is a lifelong learning experience that starts in school. In life skills curriculum friendship is an important session.

During one such session with class 8 students, they were asked to share qualities that they look for in a friend. Prompt response listed out about 12 relevant points like  dependable, trustworthy, helpful, respectful, compassionate, keep secrets, reliable and so on.  

On being asked how many possess those qualities no one raised hand. Normally, almost all students of that school took pride in claiming  quality bonding with friends. When asked to share the reason for not possessing those qualities, they were quiet again. Yet with loaded silence I could notice them exchanging smiles & glances sheepishly

Encouraging them to share the reasons, few of them felt secure to trust us in being transparent.  It was no surprise when they shared the real reason in one word—COMPETITION.

Situation is no different in any other school or institution!  No wonder that competitive environment is grooming self-centered individuals/leaders devoid of empathy and compassion. 

We are all witnessing the concomitant  consequences of social & economic injustice globally. Who is the Winner? No one I am convinced.