Author: eduscangroup

We all know that adolescent is the age of stress and storms, popularly known as “teenage”. So having a growing adolescent at home, can be challenging at times. You might have often observed that your growing teenager might suddenly display a loss of appetite or be withdrawn or may be have excessive or too little sleep. You will see that at this age, these growing adults go through a lot of mood swings. Hence, as a parent it is very important to monitor their behavior closely. We need to be really careful before making a statement such as, “Oh, come on grow up, you are no more a baby” or “Oh, please you need not do any such thing, you are just a kid.”

When we as an adult make such comments, it leaves our adolescent feel more anxious. Rather try to understand their personality and guide them. It is essential to have immense patience while you are dealing with these young adults. As grownups we if we lose our patience, then what do we expect of our teenager who is observing us, especially when they are around us at home. We need to be a role model for them.

Secondly, today’s adolescent needs to be introduced to a concept called ‘delayed gratification’. Delayed gratification, or deferred gratification, describes the process that a person undergoes when the he or she resists the temptation of an immediate reward in preference for a later reward. Without delay gratification there is no patience nor endurance. Basically, it is described as the process that the person undergoes when he/she resists the temptation of an immediate reward in preference for a later reward/result/ action.

Hence it is important to help our children practice this concept. For instance if your adolescent is being rigid at times, when he/she wants to meet a friend, or watch a movie or play a game, or go out for dinner, etc. then it’s time for you to be patient and calm down your child too. Tell him let’s talk and then I will surely agree to what you say. Then ask him/her the reasons of making things happen at that point of time and evaluate how it would make a difference if certain things are addressed at a little later.

• At this point it is very important to be a good listener and acknowledge your adolescent’s feeling.
• Refrain from making any sort of negative comments or something that he/she would not like.
• Discuss what are his/her likes and dislikes and plan how can you involve in supporting their likes and encourage them to develop their knowledge skills as per their likes.
• Spend some time sitting with your adolescent to make a daily planner. Your engagement will give them a lot of motivation to be more responsible and help them to grow up as effective teenagers.
• Give them liberty to access social media and allow them to have their own space. But at the same tie maintain your rapport and show them that you trust them, which itself will help them to refrain themselves from indulging in any such activities that will hinder their personal growth.
• Sit and do research on what are the various online courses available which will help them nurture their interest and prepare them better for future.
• Help them to brainstorm how they can make the most out of this time at home, by using e-learning platform and get the best online learning support in the comfort zone of their home.
• And lastly, do not forget to teach your adolescent that “Lifetime regrets are more painful than delayed gratification.”

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At this point of time it is important to stay physically fit. And I strongly believe that it is essential to keep yourself mentally fit and have an emotional balance to keep yourself physically fit. However, I totally understand that, these days having an emotional balance and keeping ourselves mentally fit is a greater challenge than keeping ourselves physically fit. But how do we overcome this challenge, this fear, and this anxiety? How can we kill this worm of anxiety that is growing within us?

Firstly, calm down yourself, and reflect upon yourself. Think what is stopping you from overcoming this wave of anxiety that is flowing to and fro in your system? What is the actual barrier, which I can break through and have an emotional balance? What is stopping me from being mentally fit?

Well, now it’s the time when we all need to understand that we are the ones who have built these barriers for ourselves and only we are responsible to breakthrough this barrier for and defeat the anxiety that is building within us. And this can be achieved by following some simple steps and changing our thought process which will help us to adapt a new approach towards life.

Consider that there is a worm of anxiety sitting within you. And each time you talk about the present scenario with your friends and family, you are feeding this tiny worm. Each time you check your social media post or Wats App forwards that are full of negative statements you are helping this tiny worm to grow bigger. Every time you see the news, or check on headlines for regular updates you are just feeding this worm inside you, and it results in growing fatter and fatter. And in no time you will realize that this worm has taken over you and has started ruling you. 

Hence, in this case the first step to kill this worm is stop feeding it time and again. You need not keep a check on all the possible sources all day to tap on the current status. Well, it is absolutely important to keep a tap of what’s happening around the world and be aware, but that can be done possibly once or twice a day. There is no need of following every news channel and social media platforms 24 X 7. So set rules for yourself and your family. Being at home should not stop you from leading a disciplined life. So let’s reflect upon ourselves and turn this obstacle into an opportunity. Here are a few suggestions that can help you:

• Set time for keeping a tap on the current status and updates of the actions taken by the government. For instance it can be twice a day for not more than 15 min.
• Spend time with your family and children. Find activities to involve them. This will help them accelerate their knowledge and skills.
• Think upon what did you always wanted to do, to improve yourself. What are the areas you can work upon for your personal growth? And all you need to do is, just type that word in the search box on Google and you will see a buffet of online courses available.
• Utilize this time to tap your and your children’s hidden potential. Social distancing cannot stop you from learning. Where there is a will, there is a way! So look for distance learning options as per your desire. There are amazing live interactive online training sessions that can certainly help you to upgrade your knowledge and skills. You never know, you might probably outshine after this quarantine period as you have equipped yourself with the required knowledge and skills.
• Be grateful to the supreme personality that, in spite of being in such a crucial situation we are able to connect with everyone and anyone across the globe, as the present era is blessed with the internet and the latest technology that covers the distance of thousands of miles just at a click. So, make the most of the technology, to connect with your loved ones and be innovative, by having certain group sessions online. For example; do a cardio workout, yoga, play games, solve a puzzle, have a party, learn a song, or set up a dance with your friends and family using wonderful web meetings app like Zoom, Webinar, Cloud meetings, etc.
• Read a book that you always wished too. Even though, you might not have this book at home, don’t worry! Fortunately, we have Google! Search for it, and you will surely find an e-version of that book. So here you go! And I am sure you will come across many other good reads while you are doing your online research. So grab this opportunity to enhance your knowledge and language too!
• There are various effective online trainings available for the generation next, who at this point of time needs to divert their attention from the negativity around them and invest this time constructively and make the most of the e-learning platform. So sit with your teenagers at home and talk with them to understand their interest and identify their potential, so you can guide them to choose the right option from the ones available online. Thus this will help them to build confidence and prepare them for a better tomorrow.
• Try to have a set up or a role play at home with your family as if you are to a fine dine restaurant, or probably on a picnic to the park or may be a beach party. Get everyone set in the same mood. Use the required props, dress up accordingly create that ambience and enjoy the feel.
• Remember, there are things that are under your control and there are things that are probably beyond your control. So focus on things that are under your control and take complete charge of the situation. Do not wait for things to happen, rather make things happen.
• And lastly, live in the moment, and enjoy your time with yourself and your families. Thinking much about what will happen, where we are heading and what is our future going to be like, will lead you nowhere other than depression. So live in present and take control of the situation with a positive approach.

STAY HOME, STAY SAFE, STAY HAPPY, STAY HEALTHY AND STAY CONNECTED! 

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As exam season nears, a wave of anxiety spreads through not only students but parents and teachers as well. It is extremely necessary to manage this stress correctly as it can affect students adversely. Dr. Alka Kalra, a renowned CDA Licensed Educational-Psychologist shares a few tips for students, parents and teachers alike on how to manage stress during the exams.

For Students:

Analyze the situation and be realistic.

Face your fears!

Doing this simple exercise can help you overcome your obstacles. Take a piece of paper and write down all the causes of your anxiety. Next to each identified problem, write down the ways you think that are possible solutions. Then, take a break from your preparations to discuss your fears and concerns with your parents or your teachers.

Relax.

It only takes 15 minutes a day to do this exercise. Focus on your deep breathing coming from your diaphragm and relax.

Words of affirmation:

With more realistic thoughts such as: “Even if I am afraid, I will do everything I can to overcome any obstacle to achieve my goals”.

Spend at least 30 minutes exercise regularly.

Meditate:

Focus is the most essential factor in what and how to process what is being learned.

Meditation helps to keep your brain at the center. It enhances your focus, keeps you calm, and helps you to be in the right state of mind to concentrate on your studies. So, just breathe in, breathe out and make an effort to take the mind to a calmer state before you proceed to study. It is helpful to our holistic wellness.

For Parents:

Be calm.

As parents, your emotional state and approach to your child have a significant effect on their attitude towards learning, dealing with their exams and accepting the results. The following are a few things to keep in mind to help your children be calm and set the right expectation in the exams.

Say words of encouragement

As your child faces enough pressure from school and peers, along with their anxieties regarding performance, strive to provide a supportive atmosphere at home. Appreciate and encourage your child’s efforts in wanting to excel in school. The smallest efforts and achievement recognized by their parents is a huge factor in helping them set and achieve their goals.

Talk to them about their feelings 

All children experience different levels of anxiety before exams. Where this anxiety stems from, however, may be different for each child. Sit and talk to your child about his / her feelings and expectations. This can be done in a casual and comfortable manner and atmosphere. Make them feel and assure them that they are heard, understood and have your full support.

For Teachers:

Assess students for coping skills and screen for vulnerable students.

Make an effort to observe and screen your students on tendencies on getting stuck and a decrease in performance due to anxiety during the examination period. Find out who among your students are prone to last-minute revisions, committing repetitive mistakes and change of behavior.

Impart study skills and habits.

Revise and rehearse effective study skills. Help your students learn to organize their time and material. Introduce a calendar of activities and a checklist according to the importance of topics and schedule. This will help them to become realistic in setting and meeting their goals and deadlines.

Provide Life skills training

Encourage students to maintain healthy habits and routines during the preparation and examination period. Emphasize the importance of leisure time, regular breaks, a good diet, adequate sleep and exercise in maintaining emotionally healthy, stable and keeping the right mindset and approach to examinations.

Focus and concentration issues may prevent your child from achieving their potential.  Difficulties with attention can affect all aspects of your child’s life. Each child’s attention span varies that are caused by underlying factors and can affect the different life aspects such as school performance, relationships, emotional control, and memory retention. The good news is, there are scientifically-proven effective exercises that will help improve your child’s focus and concentration.

Here are some tips to help improve your child’s focus and concentration:

• Identify the areas your child needs to improve on. Common examples include: listening to what is being taught, completing their homework, and improving organizational skills. Children may improve their concentration when parents are attentive to them. This means that when communicating with your child, you make sure that you talk to them face-to-face and make eye contact.
• Help your child set a goal that needs improvement. The goal should be specific and can easily be identified when these goals are achieved.
• Use reward system. Choose a reward best fit your child when they achieve the goal.
• Teach your child how to keep track of his or her attention.
• A distraction-free environment unless engaged in something they like because children may find it more difficult to screen out distractions. You need to keep the environment where they learn, study or carry out tasks, as distraction-free as possible.
• Ensure that your child has enough sleep at night supported by naps during the day. Establish a bedtime routine. The earlier the bedtime, the easier it is to implement this routine.
• Let them play games that require focus. You can train and strengthen a child’s ability to focus by playing games that require thinking. Playing games that require focus, planning as well as memory games combine fun and concentration.
• Give tasks at a minimum. You may start with a single task at a time. As a parent, allow your child to have time for pleasure and fun helping them to take out the stress off that affects their inability to focus and shorten attention span and concentration.

Choose and decide which best fits your child and be consistent on the task and routine you have to implement. This way, you are helping in a variety of areas of your child’s life.

Eduscan offers Memory and Concentration in our Leadership Training Course for the Spring Camp in Dubai and Sharjah. Camp starts 08 of March 2020.