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The educational environment does not comprise of the only academic curriculum, but these are a host of activities to channelize the energies of children towards a fruitful direction. The domain of these activities is not restricted to intellectual development, but it encompasses the intellectual, emotional and social development as well. Right from exploring the interest of the child, to help them understand time management and leadership skills, these activities can foster various facets for a holistic development. The various benefits of these activities are innumerable.

1. Breaking the monotony: The teaching-learning process becomes monotonous for both teachers and students, hence to make it lively and interesting, this kind of activities help in changing the classroom environment.

2. Developing skills and competence: These activities are no longer termed as Extra-curricular activities, rather are termed as co-curricular activities. The importance of these is recognized since the ancient period. In the traditional system of education, the pupils were given training in music, dramatics warfare, and many others. Skill enhancement, improving expression, aesthetic development, character building, physical and spiritual growth are just a few aspects of personality which are touched in these activities.

3. Three S’s: A vital benefit of conducting these activities, is that it helps in socialization, self-assessment, and self-realization. These activities give a chance to students to mingle with each other in a semi-formal environment. Hence, the need and ways to socialize are checked in the formative years of child’s growth. It gives a chance to pupils to explore their worth and interests. These activities require control, sacrifice and adjustment, which are the basic requisites for a well-groomed personality.

4. Motivated learning: An incentive of a field trip after a hectic session may act as a booster for further learning. By breaking the monotony, and a thought of good relaxation may be helpful with the students who shirk away from studies.

5. Better behaviour and reduced selfishness: Studies have revealed that the activities aggravate a sense of belongingness, foster a sense of commitment to a cause or purpose, thus reducing a selfish behaviour.

6. Future prospects: Through the avenue of extra-curricular activities students find it much easier to gain admission into universities. Modern universities are more interested in recruiting students, who have something to offer besides academic qualifications. They seek out students who can make a contribution in other areas to the university and the society at large. Many universities and some schools make money, and gain prestige through their extra-curricular engagement in various areas.

Co-curricular activities are beneficial to students as they develop the individual, in the way classrooms alone cannot provide. These valuable life skills translate into a healthy and successful school life and beyond.

With the advent of technology, the survival seems to be just unimaginable, but the children are undoubtedly the worst hit. The concentration span of children has reached the lowest levels with the so many distractions around, be it television, mobile, gadgets, and internet etc. It won’t be an exaggeration to say that, it is somewhere due to so-called “distractions” that tempt the wandering mind. While most of the children naturally develop a greater concentration as they get older, but some continue to struggle to focus on an activity for more time.

Here are some proven ways of increasing concentration in kids:-

1. Understanding and creating an environment: A well- informed parent understands the psychology of his/her kid and creates an ambience accordingly. Eliminating extraneous distractions like phones, laptops etc., designating a particular place for studying, keeping all notes, books, and references handy, a light music and of course constant monitoring can help in gripping the problem to a good extent. Even use of educational kits and gadgets can help increase the concentration of kids. Mind-games and solving puzzles are the proven ways to increasing concentration.

2. Rest and recharge: Studies suggest that frequent breaks not only relieves the mind of boredom, created due to the monotony of the work, but is also effective in revitalizing and re-engaging the brain. Not to forget that the break needs to be shorter and productive.
3. Deep breathing: A challenging task can elevate adrenaline rushes, and if not sorted may lead to avoidance. The best way to curb the anxiety levels is breath slow and deep. A few exercises if included during the break time will usher a new strength and vigour to overcome challenges.

4. Step by step technique: Sometimes the volume of the assignment breaks the spirit of the child. At this time, we need to divide the task into smaller assignments, so that every small step taken is significant in reaching the bigger goal. It will not only give a sense of accomplishment but also raise self-esteem and motivate the child.

5. Reward system: Though personally, I am not in favour of this system much as it allows space for bribing and negotiations with the child, but in certain cases, it can be useful enough to get an important task accomplished.

6. Using energies effectively: There is no denying the fact, that children have an abundant store of energies and it is up to us, how we direct their energies in constructive and positive manner. It varies from individual to individual. Some start slow and gradually gain speed. With these types, we can always start with lighter assignments and ascend towards difficult, whereas it can be vice-versa with over energetic children.

7. Healthy food healthy mind: Practical experiences have already proved, that brain has a direct link with the food we eat. The food rich in sucrose and sugars is deemed to make mind sluggish and food rich in proteins help in improved concentration. A balanced diet will always aid in increased brain function. The golden rule is never to miss breakfast. A filling breakfast releases energy slowly and helps to stay active longer. A sound sleep with a designated time to sleep and regular exercise also keeps kids agile and alert.

Every kid or even adult for that matter can concentrate on intrinsically enjoyable activities whereas time becomes tough when real challenge pours in. Yet this ability to concentrate and sustain attention on all kinds of tasks is crucially important, as it helps kids to explore the unknown, gain confidence to tread on the road of competition and develop self-esteem.

Parenting has gained the dimensions of science in the present generation. Every parent wants its child to be a healthy, happy and well behaved with high moral values. Today, everyone is trying to figure out what it takes to make a parent-child relationship ideal. The fact is that there is no standard set of rules to make a relationship desirable. The parent-child relationship is like the bonding, the gardener has with his plants. Undoubtedly, the generation gap exists from generation to generation, but the day, the parents draw the line, when to encourage and when to rebuke; parents wonderfully bridge the so-called generation gap.

Let us sneak into few tips which can assure healthy and happy parent-child relationship.

1. Start with a firm foundation: Studies reveal that the more you intimate with your child, the longer and closer relationship grows between both of you. Parents are first teacher and kid’s mind is a plain blackboard. Your kid often reflects your personality and manners. Your behaviour is copied by your kids. So, keep the foundation firm. Let your kids learn from your behaviour and actions.

2. Build up trust:- “Your child should not be brought-up, the way you were”
Building up any relation is not a one-way road, rather it is two-way lane. Parents need to build up a trust between them and their kids. A “securely attached” baby basically means, that a child trusts his parents to be his best friends, on whom he can trust for his needs. Even parents need to trust their kids and behave with them more like friends. Parent need to talk with their kids on daily basis. You can start with asking about his school activities, friends, and his best TV show etc.

3. Encourage, Encourage, Encourage: The gardener doesn’t yell, scream or criticize if the plant doesn’t blossom properly. The techniques are to be revised and often new ones, are to be tried. The parents need not grow up children as there replicas, rather they should be given freedom to nurture on their own. They should always encourage their child in whatever he does. Participating in a simple painting work, playing with kids and going out for cycling with your child can enrich your relationship.

4. Respect is mutual: A right parenting never tells you to instruct your child like a boss. Treat your child as your child should be, is the golden rule that is applicable not only to parents but equally to kids.

5. Don’t ever Miss-The-Communication: Whatever the trifle be, lack of clear communication will always lead to miscommunication. The longer the period of silence, more are the chances of the relationship getting strained. So listen, speak and clear the cloud. Every difficult situation either draws you closer or creates distance. Don’t take the instant and temporary reaction of the child personally. This may not be primarily about you, their tangled feelings, difficulty in controlling themselves, immaturity to understand and express emotions may be the cause of the lash out.

6. Mature response: The case above, is to be handled with the mature response. Stay calm and counsel your kids. Parents should act as anchors for the wandering kids. When we rejoin physically, we naturally rejoin emotionally. Reconnection is a must after every separation, the initiative for which has to be done by the parent only.

7. Stay Available: The most imperative thing for a relationship is to stay available. Kids don’t have any agenda or scheduled meetings. Knowing that someone is always available, encourage the child to open up whenever and wherever they feel. Kids who feel that other things are more important in their parent’s life will develop an emotional void, which can distract the young minds and loss is more on parent’s side.

It is important to understand that the relationships need time to grow up. Nagging and criticizing are not the basis for a relationship with someone you love. Your life is too short to spend in the state of annoyance. Work together, be available and be your child’s hero is the ingredients for the recipe of a successful relationship.