What it Means to Develop the 'Inner Self' of a Child

The inner self or true nature includes the thought processes, feelings, beliefs, emotions, personality, and spirituality of an individual. But why is the development of the inner self important? This is because a strong development of the inner self makes a person self-aware, has clarity in thoughts and beliefs, introspect, discover oneself, and much more. Therefore, especially in today's generation development of the inner self becomes crucial at a young age due to the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. In this article, we will further explore why the development of the inner self is important and a school’s role in the development of a child’s inner self.

Why is the development of the inner self important?

Inner development or inner self-development is important to boost confidence and raise self-esteem. Not only does it help in battling emotional issues but it also helps in the alignment of actions with the thoughts and beliefs of an individual. Here are the other reasons stating the importance of inner self-development-

• Self-awareness: One of the most important reasons for building an inner self is that it makes a person self-aware. This includes identifying their strengths and weaknesses which helps in making better choices and achieving success in all aspects of life. Moreover, it also helps in understanding others better leading to improvement in the relationship. Thus, self-awareness is crucial for personal as well as professional growth. 
• Emotional Intelligence(EI): Emotional intelligence refers to identifying, understanding, and regulating your own emotions as well as empathizing with the emotions of others. Research has shown that emotional intelligence is twice as important as technical skills or IQ when it comes to effectiveness at work.  A student with higher Emotional Intelligence is more likely to excel in academics along with other skills and better stress management.

Recommended: How to build emotional intelligence in school

• Academic Progress: Inner development makes a person aware of his/her true potential. This helps in achieving their own capabilities without any doubts. It makes a student more focused on his/her goal and avoids getting distracted which is a typical problem, especially with social media. A study by Thomas and Maree (2022, p. 105) provides an illustrative example of this, where some participants who were motivated by their inner desire for lucrative job prospects completed their tasks relatively faster. This shows that, by clearly defining one’s academic goals and envisioning a brighter tomorrow, a self-motivated student can become more focused and productive as they chase success.
• Decision-making: Decision-making is a lifelong skill that can be induced through inner self-development. The process also includes the development of other skills like critical thinking, resilience, weighing alternatives, and self-reflection. This helps in navigating complexities and learning from success as well as failure. 

Role of School in Inner Self-development

School plays a crucial role in shaping the inner self of a child from preschool and is a continuous process. The role of the school extends beyond academic success and includes the holistic development of students. From shaping their beliefs to making them self-aware, here are the activities schools can undertake to strongly build the inner self of a student. 

• Interaction: In between academics and other co-curricular activities a child learns to interact with other people including peers and the faculty. Schools can undertake a wide range of activities from team projects, community service projects, cultural events, and other extracurricular activities to create a vibrant and healthy learning environment. This will help in building a positive and healthy relationship with oneself and the peers.
• Character Building: Students spend a lot of time in school so it is important for students to be in an environment that boosts their self-esteem and builds a good character. Through character building, schools can instill positive values, beliefs, and other important life skills. Schools can undertake activities encouraging positive behaviours, promoting diversity, and opportunities for reflection.
• Communication: Communication is the key to developing the inner self. Effective communication helps in self-reflection, better clarity, planning, and setting goals. Communication skills can be fostered in students through practice, for example, group discussions, presentations, writing assignments, and collaborative activities.

Check out: Importance of Communication Skills in the 21st Century

• Critical Thinking: Critical thinking is the skill of introspecting, analyzing, interpreting, and making an informed decision. Critical thinking can be included through opportunities like project-based learning and experiential learning. This helps students to develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their environment. Critical thinking allows individuals to ensure that their opinions are based on facts and helps them sort through all the extra noise.

Also Read | Attributes of Critical Thinking: The Skill You Need

Pragatti English Medium School, one of the most widely recognized schools in Pune, is one such school known for the development of the inner self of a child at a very young age. The school ensures this by infusing ethical, social, and spiritual values and building the inner self at its natural purity. Pragatti English Medium School believes in enhancing knowledge and absorbing the reality of life instead of rote learning, therefore focusing on the overall growth of the students. Along with that it highly encourages human development with intellectual and technological advancements. The school also places importance on developing the student's hearts and souls by teaching them to march forward with a positive attitude, critical thinking, confidence, sensitivity, responsibility, and other skills. Therefore, parents must consider Pragatti English Medium School for academic excellence as well as the inner self-development of their child.

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In conclusion, the development of the inner self is crucial beyond academic success and school life. It is a long-standing part of life which builds confidence, empathy and resilience. Therefore, parents need to consider schools that help students grow not just with the scope of passing but also with overall development.