Together we build "happy schools" for children

In the month of action for children, we want to aim to build "happy schools" for children. To do so, children need to inherit a healthy environment, without pressure to study, without having to care about grades...

In the month of action for children, we want to aim to 'build' happy children. (Source: Tuoi Tre)

In recent years, public opinion has often mentioned that students face pressure to study and achieve because of a tight schedule and a lot of knowledge. Not to mention that many children have to take extra classes, summer classes, and even study during holidays and weekends, leaving them with no time to rest, play, or entertain themselves. As many psychologists have pointed out, this will have a significant impact on their psychological development.

Knowing that children must study to gain knowledge and grow up. However, if the pressure of studying becomes an obstacle, turning them into "learning machines" and tiring, it may be necessary to review and make appropriate adjustments.

It is sad whenever there is a student suicide somewhere. There are many reasons that lead to foolish and negative actions in children. But among them, we certainly cannot exclude the cause from studying. Competition for position in class, tight and tight study schedules make many children become "fighting cocks", "war horses"...

"Parents also need to change their mindset and adjust their expectations and goals for their children. Don't think that children only need to study, because out there are many things that children need to discover, nurture their souls and personalities in addition to skills."

Not to mention the excessive expectations that parents place on their children. The distance between parents and children makes children lonely. When facing difficulties, children are not listened to, cared for, shared, encouraged, so that they can solve the problems in life that they encounter such as being bullied at school, being isolated in a crowd. They become "poor" in soft skills and life skills.

Let's ask, how many middle and high school students today can cook their own meals and be independent without their parents around? Because of the competition with exams, to get into specialized schools and selective classes, many students do not have much time to learn and experience life skills and soft skills. That is why a part of students become lacking in practical knowledge and are confused about how to solve problems, easily falling into disappointment and depression.

Not only nowadays but also in any era, children need to be taught skills and personality education from small things. How to make children feel safe in their own home and have faith in their parents. Parents should listen to understand their children. Listen, respect their opinions, and solve problems with their children. Only when becoming "friends" with their children, can parents remove the barriers.

In the month of action for children, perhaps what we want to aim for is to “build” happy children. To do that, children need to inherit a happy, healthy environment. Parents also need to change their thinking, adjust their expectations and goals for their children. Don’t think that children only need to study, because out there are many things that children need to discover, nurture their souls and personalities in addition to skills.

As the first country in Asia and the second in the world to ratify the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in 1990, with the political commitments and leadership of the Party and State, the lives of Vietnamese children in all regions of the country have been continuously ensured. More and more children are protected, living, receiving health care, studying and being prioritized in welfare policies.

Article 100 of the 2016 Law on Children states: Parents, teachers, child care workers and family members have the responsibility to cultivate knowledge and skills to educate children about ethics, personality, rights and duties of children; create a safe environment, prevent accidents and injuries for children; prevent children from falling into special circumstances, at risk of being abused or being abused.

We can talk a lot about Children's Rights. But it is sad that somewhere, child abuse and violence cases still occur and show no signs of decreasing. There are still views of "spare the rod and spoil the child" and there are still fathers and mothers who "love" achievements, "love" 10 points...

Above all, parents should be proactive in educating their children, not letting the disease of achievement dominate. Only when parents do not measure the value of their children through scores and titles, then the pressure on children can be somewhat relieved.

At the 10th session in April 2022, the National Assembly Standing Committee reviewed and commented on the draft Law on Prevention and Control of Domestic Violence (amended), Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son raised a form of domestic violence that not many people have thought of before. Domestic violence is not only torture, beating, cursing, and mental terror, but also includes the act of forcing children to study a lot.

"We can talk a lot about Children's Rights. But it's sad that somewhere, child abuse and violence cases still happen and show no signs of decreasing. There are still views of 'spare the rod and spoil the child' and there are still fathers and mothers who 'love' achievements, 'love' 10 points...".

According to Minister Nguyen Kim Son, parents have too high expectations of their children, forcing them to study until 2-3am, demanding that their children get 10 points is creating pressure that exceeds the children's capacity and ability.

Children – who should be at an age where they need to play and experience a lot – are instead tied to their desks. Nowadays, people often talk about the phrase “happy school”, teaching life skills to children, educating children to become good people… But the story of balancing theoretical learning with practical experience and playing for children today is still a problem. And another reality is that despite educational reform, children’s study pressure has not decreased.

Perhaps, to relieve pressure on children, parents should learn to accept their children's shortcomings, accept their not-so-good report cards, so that children can learn, experience, and have fun in the true sense.

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