Understanding children: responsibility of teachers.

      When I started teaching as a Science and Mathematics teacher, I always carried a simple thought, teaching is not only the transfer of knowledge; it is the transfer of curiosity. But this thought became reality when I taught Class 4 for the first time. Their young age, innocent questions, and natural curiosity gave me a new direction of teaching.

I understood that if children can see, touch and experience a concept, they learn it deeply. So in science class we didn’t just read about leaves, students held real leaves in their hands, felt the veins, matched shapes, and discussed the patterns. When we studied flowers, I guided them to do flower dissection, they opened the petals, observed sepals and stamens, and connected it to what their book explained. Many questions that confused them initially were solved not by simply answering, but through experiments, demonstrations, activities and open discussions, which made learning real and joyful. 

             

Along with academics, being a Sports teacher gave me another beautiful realization; the classroom cannot define a child completely. Some children speak through words, some speak through actions. I have seen many students who sit quietly in class, struggle with subjects, hesitate to read aloud, but the moment they step on the playground, everything changes.R, a Class 5 student, is one such example. Shy during lessons, avoiding attention, yet on the field he becomes a leader, fast, fearless and strategic, especially in Kabaddi and Kho–Kho. His confidence, energy and leadership reflect a different side of his personality that academics alone could never reveal.

 And there are more bright stars, each one different, each one special, proving that talent has many forms. Sports gave them identity, it showed them they are capable, they are confident and they belong.

 Today, I strongly believe that education is complete only when both the mind and the body learn together. My journey with my students has taught me that children have hidden strengths ,all they need is a teacher who sees them, trusts them, and provides a platform. Some learn better with books, some with tools, some with experiments and some with sports — and that is the true beauty of teaching.

                

At the end of the day, my real achievement is not finishing the syllabus, but reaching the child, making them believe in themselves and helping them discover the talent they never knew they had.

~By Rahul Yadav

 (Rahul has completed his Masters in Maths, and is currently pursuing Masters in Social Work. He teaches Maths and Science to class 6, 7 and 8 at Vidyashram- The Southpoint School. He also teaches Sports classes at the school. He has been an alumnus of the school.)