Navigating Reality: How to Educate Children on Life's Realities

As parents, educators, and caregivers, we recognize education's critical role in shaping our children's future. However, are we even successful if we teach them all but fail to educate them about the realities of life? In this article, we delve deep into educating kids regarding the realities of life and the right way to do so.

Also Read | Blueprint for Success: Nurturing Academic Growth from Childhood

Understanding the Concept of Absorbing Reality

When used in terms of childhood education, the phrase “absorbing reality" generally refers to the process of engaging and internalizing students with the surrounding environment. The process simply involves actively educating children about the happenings around them. It also involves answering their curious young minds about those happenings- be it simple everyday activities or important lessons and concepts of life. 

Over time, several studies have been conducted in an attempt to decode as to when do children actually start forming an understanding of the world. Turns out, it happens quite early, especially as they begin preschool. In fact, 80% of our brain development happens by the age of three, making it ready to soak in necessary information. 

Now let's discuss why you should focus on educating children about the realities of life from early on:

• Preparation for Adulthood: Around 87% of parents, as per a survey by the National Education Association, believe that educating children about the realities of life is a crucial step in preparing them for adulthood. As we educate children about the crucial realities of life, we also educate them about the skills and values necessary to navigate and sail smoothly through life.
• Building Resilience: Research suggests that children who are educated about the realities of life from early on are quite good when it comes to dealing with adversities, be it in childhood or way later in life. Getting them acquainted with reality at a young age gives them the time to access situations and develop resilience to cope with challenges and hurdles that might pop up from time to time.
• Promoting Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Absorbing the realities of life helps children to analyze situations and information, think critically, and become capable of coming up with solutions to problems. This is very helpful as a study by the Partnership for 21st Century Learning found that 75% of educators believe critical thinking and problem-solving to be some of the most essential skills to be cultivated for success in life.
• Improved Emotional and Social Capabilities: It is a known fact that children with enhanced emotional capabilities possess the ability to be more successful academically and socially. Children, when educated about the realities of life, imbibe crucial emotional values such as empathy, self-awareness as well as interpersonal skills- all of these are crucial in building strong relationships in life.

Read More | The Value and Benefits of Socio-Emotional Learning

Strategies to Help Children Absorb the Realities of Life

As we have discussed in this article so far, acquainting children with the realities of life caters to their holistic development. However, it is easier said than done. 

The realities of life can be difficult for young minds to register, especially given that certain truths can seem harsh to their innocent minds. However, to help you out, here are some strategies that can help in the process of educating your child about the realities of life:

• Encourage Critical Thinking: Critical thinking skills are crucial when it comes to focusing on growth and development. Children should be encouraged to ask questions. They should be involved in real-life situations, discussing with them in precision about things they ought to know.
• Experiential Learning: Experiential learning is mostly learning by doing. It enhances the students’ understanding of the world, facilitating them to understand concepts rather than just reading theories. This improves their retention capabilities while also deepening their understanding.
• Developing Emotional Intelligence: Emotional intelligence is a strong predictor of success. This makes it essential to make sure that children grow up in an environment that supports and understands their emotional needs. Journaling, role-playing, and mindfulness exercises can be great ways of improving your child’s emotional intelligence.
• Teaching Resilience and Coping Skills: Resilience and coping skills are key in educating kids about the real world as such skills help children come to terms with tough realities. Children can be introduced to real-life stories of perseverance and resilience in order to instill similar qualities.
• Promote Diversity and Inclusion: Introducing kids to the concept of diversity and inclusion helps foster a feeling of communal bliss in them. As a result, children grow up to be empaths and do not hold on to prejudices. Literature and movies can be a great help in promoting such feelings in students.

Pragatti English Medium School: Helping Students Absorb the Realities of Life

Situated in Dhanori, Pune, Pragatti English Medium School is one of the reputed names to have put in efforts on the holistic development of its students. The hard work of the educators, as well as the management of the school, ensures that no child at Pragatti English Medium School is devoid of their growth and developmental needs.

Apply Now

Established back in the year 2001, Pragatti English Medium School has made it one of its crucial aims to help children absorb the realities of life. Here, the educators believe that education is not about just attending school and college to get a degree. Instead, it is for understanding and getting along with the realities of life. The school thus focuses on enhancing the knowledge of their students, not just making them academically excellent but leading to their all-round development.

Pragatti English Medium School aims to provide its students with an exceptional learning experience. In this regard, the school teaches its students to march ahead in life with a positive attitude, instilling in them the necessary confidence, skills, responsibility, and sensitivity. The school’s long-term goal is to empower students to nurture their inner selves as individuals, believing that the inner self must always maintain its natural purity.

Schools like Pragatti English Medium School make education an enriching experience for children, bestowing them with the knowledge that takes them forward in life. So, why waste time? Apply now for your child’s admission to Pragatti English Medium School and see them grow into responsible adults of tomorrow!