Archives December 2022

According to the Gregorian calendar, New Year’s Eve is known as Old Year’s Day or Saint Sylvester’s Day. It has always been a source of excitement for the entire planet dating 4000 years back in time. For instance, People want to bid goodbye to the year which is in its ending a few hours before it becomes a time in history.

The different ways to spend New Year’s Eve with kids

• Hosting A themed Party 

Hosting a theme-based party can be a cool thing to do from a kid’s perspective. Thematic Dress Codes, Thematic Food & Thematic decorations will give them immense happiness and they will definitely enjoy their hearts out. Events in the party like Face painting, Dancing and other On & Off Field games. This can be of great joy to the kids and for sure make the last day of the year quite memorable for them.

• Making New Year’s resolutions

New Year Resolutions are taken by everyone but making new year’s resolutions for kids can have a lifetime impact as the kids might get rid of any bad habits which can be rectified through the new year’s resolution. Though the new year resolutions should be fun based and not a serious lifetime resolutions and end up getting your child confused. On a broader dimension through this, we can also get an idea of the development of the child’s maturity and the ability to understand the difference between right and wrong but never mind it can come later in life and not anytime soon.

• Attending a New Year’s event

Attending a New Year’s event filled with all the heavenly joys with a bunch of kids and their parents can also be a way to celebrate it effectively. At these events, people dance and sing around with delicious food and drinks, so all the children can have a game of cricket or football in the background. Other fun rides and gaming activities present for the kids can add up to the mood for celebration.

• Creating A bucket list or wish list

Creating a bucket list or wish list will also be a good thing to do which can have a decent amount of significance. Things the kids would like their parents to buy them or trips they would like to go on with their parents can be listed out on this day and their parents can promise to fulfil all of their wishes and in return, the parents can even place a condition as to how they would like their child to behave or perform at school in the coming year.

• Visiting Amusement Park/Zoo/Museum 

Visiting an amusement park for fun rides and other activities or visiting a museum or the zoological garden to reach out to the wildlife is always going to be fun without any doubts but on new years’ eve, it can be memorable due to the festive atmosphere.

• Going on a short adventurous trip

Going out for a short adventurous trip either with family or organised by the school can also be an option to spend the last day of the year. Hiking or trekking or winter camps organised by the school can help the kids to discover a lot which remained undiscovered to them all along. Through this, we can also help discover their hidden talent or identify any liking towards a special field.

• Celebrating with family

Celebrating with family can be another good way to spend new year’s eve. Making merry with family and friends will also end up exciting and pretty much memorable before bidding goodbye to the dying year. Exchange of gifts and surprises along with unboxing presents accompanied with a wholesome favourite dish. Celebrating with friends and family can also strengthen the family roots along with the bond between the family.

• Bake cakes and prepare dishes under adult supervision 

Baking cakes and cookies will also be a source of fun and happiness as children tend to be interested in cooking and baking as they grow up seeing the elder members doing it. So this could be another experience they would love to experience. Children at young ages have a habit of copying the elders in the family and they would love new responsibilities bestowed on them by the elders. So baking cakes or cookies can give your children a day to remember.

• Recap of the year spent (Positive & Negative) 

An entire recap or very much like highlights of the last year. The ups & downs of the year through a video or static image presentation in the family theatre room will be an interesting way to look back at the year passing out. Having a second look at the achievements be they academically or non-academically can also have a positive effect on the children. This can help them to go forward in life with confidence and getting over the mishaps will help the children too. New things learnt in the last year or good memories of the last year along with the mistakes committed can work as a reminder about the children’s development and things which are not to be repeated in the fresh approaching year.

•  New Year countdown every Hour & Last minute with Fireworks @ 12.00 AM welcoming the new year. 

Counting the remaining hours down before the new and fresh year breaks in can be fun too. Starting from 12 AM to 12 AM, counting the last 24hrs of the last calendar year followed by a loud countdown of the last minute starting at 11.59 PM which will be further followed by colourful, bright and beautiful fireworks lighting up the night sky and welcoming the 1st hour of the fresh new year.

Some innovative and exciting ways to spend the new year with the kids in an appropriate environment making it a day to remember and last but not least surprising your kids with their favourite gifts should be included in order to give your child a happy beginning to the fresh year and welcome the new chapter in life.

The concept of education extends far beyond the four walls of a classroom. A well-rounded development involves intellectual, moral, physical, and social growth. Educating your child is the first step to securing a bright future for them. School activities beyond the curriculum ensure a balance between textbook studies and extracurriculars.

There are many different classes, sports teams, and programs that allow children to focus on a particular interest outside of the typical educational curriculum, including sports, arts, special-interest clubs, etc. Besides offering academic, social, and physical benefits, they also strengthen a teenager’s college application. 

A growing number of parents have realized the importance of extracurricular activities to a child’s development.In order to make the most of their energy and discover their potential, children should participate in at least two co-curricular activities.

What are the benefits of extracurricular activities?

• They boost confidence
• Encourages time management
• Hones teamwork and leadership
• Help develop communication skills
• Helps children in finding their passion
• Develops into a means to de-stress the mind 

What are the various extracurricular activities available at GD Goenka Dakshineswar?

Theatre 

Theatre provides a platform for students to explore their love for acting. It not only boosts their confidence but also polishes their communication skills which are necessary for everyday interactions and, ultimately, professional life. Theatre is more than just delivering dialogues on stage, it requires an individual to step in the shoes of the character and to think and feel how they would. Children carve for themselves a beautiful future through means of theatre which takes them to various inter-school competitions in their city or even outside. It is a great means for students to make creative choices and express themselves through drama.

Sports 

Sports are the best way to strengthen your teamwork and leadership skills. Sports can also help you maintain your fitness and strength. Cricket, chess, table tennis, karate, taekwondo, and football are among the sports available at GD Goenka. Most tournaments are held amongst the students of different houses which improves their bonding, sportsman spirit, and comradeship. Encouraging healthy competition, a desire to win, and pride in one’s accomplishments.

Debate 

Model United Nations (MUNs), mock trials, and debate teams are all excellent opportunities for aspiring politicians. Group activities, such as debate, may help students learn and comprehend material that is beyond the reach of an individual, while simultaneously giving them the opportunity to discuss and collaborate with their peers to come up with a number of solutions. This educates students not just to voice their thoughts and speak their minds, but also to respect the opinions and beliefs of others.

Creative Writing

Creative writing is an excellent way of improving vocabulary and communication skills. Students can not only express their views and imaginations but also look beyond the strict black-and-white of life. It is an extremely fruitful discipline that allows young minds to express their feelings in a safe environment. Regular practice and working on your craft can even make you one of the top novelists or poets of your time.  

Music

Early musical education aids in the development of brain areas connected with cognitive and language development. Learning music also improves memory skills. In addition to being therapeutic, learning, playing, and listening to music can provide emotional stability to students.

Music classes are enjoyable extracurricular activities that keep kids involved and interested in the process. Our music classes allow students the opportunity to learn and develop a whole new skill. They are given theoretical knowledge of the various musical instruments along with the practicals.

You should encourage your child to participate in extracurricular activities. Even if they don’t enjoy them at first, you need to push them to give it a try at least. At GD Goenka Dakshineswar, we believe in promoting students’ passion, creativity, and leadership through a wide range of skills-based learning options.

Before we jump into the importance of educating young children about gender equality. Let us quickly understand what we actually mean by “Gender Equality”. When we talk about gender equality, by no means do we try to assert that men and women are equal. Men and Women, both, differ from each other in terms of physical attributes, emotional attributes, and in nature. However, when this distinction becomes a hindrance in their growth in society and affects their rights and opportunities, such unfair treatment is referred to as ‘Gender Inequality’. Simply put, gender equality is defined as a state in which both men and women have the same rights and opportunities unaffected by their gender. 

The need to erase gender-based discrimination arises from as early as adolescence due to the gender stereotypes that they are exposed to at home, in schools, and through television. Such stereotypes teach young boys and girls what society expects of them, how they are supposed to function, and what attributes are strictly “feminine” or are too “macho”. If we look around us, everything is distinct on the basis of gender, from clothes to food, toys to entertainment, and even lifestyle products. From the moment we choose pink for girls and blue for boys and keep mechanical toys in the “Boys” section and fill the “girls” section with makeup, kitchen sets, barbies, and grooming toys, we subconsciously plant the seeds of discrimination in their fragile, innocent minds. Stereotypical gender roles continue to be reinforced online, on television, in games, in songs, and in books every hour of every day. And since we as adults are internalising the same message, gender-based norms are only becoming more ingrained.

Hence, it is vital to undo the harm and allow them to view each other as fellow participants and candidates in the race of life. Even the UN, outlining its Sustainable Development Goals, has placed gender equality in the fifth position out of its 17 goals to achieve by 2023. As experts have pointed out, even small actions like exposing children to non-stereotypical characters from books and movies, or dividing housework equally at home, can redefine behaviour patterns for the next generation, and broaden the reach of women for resources and opportunities. 

Despite global disparities in education, many false myths and ideas persist. Some of them are: 

• Boys are stronger than girls. 
• Boys excel in maths and science while girls like art and literature
• Teaching is a girl’s job, boys like to play with tools
• Girls need to pursue female-oriented jobs 
• Boys are competitive, girls are timid 
• Girls are emotional beings, boys need to “man up” 

While we are living in a time where gender inequality and traditional ideas are experiencing a downward shift, such false notions continue to hinder progress. To ensure children grow up understanding equality and advocating for equal educational opportunities for themselves and others, it is essential to instill and model equality.

How to Teach Gender Equality to Kids 

Have the hard conversation – Raise thought-provoking questions like, “who do you think should run errands around the house?” or “D’you know what gender equality is?” Ask them about their views and try to positively influence them in the right direction. 

Be a role model – Young children are always watching and picking what adults around them say and do. Think of the areas you need to work on and practice the change you want to make. Actions are always louder than words, so if you practice what you preach you are more likely to achieve the desired goal. 

Break the Stereotype – In a time when we are surrounded by heavily gender-biased content, we must start with ourselves. Erase the line of distinction at home by shunning the concept of “gender roles”. For instance, a girl child is supposed to help with household chores and the boy helps the dad in the business. Encourage equal participation from both genders in whatever task is at hand. Similarly, at schools, it is important that the curriculum views and promotes men and women as equal in value and capability.  

At GDGPS, we strive to erase gender-based discrimination whether it is acquiring knowledge or staging the same. We further believe that women are at par with men and thus offer equal opportunities to our students.