A home’s formative role

The same Dahlia flower at two different occasions of the day- the light conditions the appearance of the flower. Its environment affects the color, texture and visual appeal of the flower.

One of the intriguing stories of childhood, I have been interested to explore is how different circumstances of life contribute to the formation of early childhood. Let me illustrate from a personal experience.

There was a fire accident in a residential colony where people form low income group stayed. About 200 thatched houses were gutted in the fire. The next day, some children from one class of a  school adjacent to this colony visited the gutted houses. 

When they returned from the visit, the teacher allowed the children to share their experiences. There were expressions of sympathies, concerns and suggestions . After the lunch recess, five students came back to the teacher to indicate their interest to help the children in the colony by giving them clothes, school bags, note books, text book, etc which they lost in the fire. This later became a school project to build a few houses and replenish the household items lost in the fire and help all school going children with their essential needs.

Hearing this touching student initiated social service, I met the five students, who  formulated the plans. Each of them had an experience of being involved with their parents in helping others, visiting orphanages, providing free medical care, supporting school drop outs, etc. They grew up in an environment of being mindful of others. 

President Barrak Obama led a path breaking health care change in the USA because he grew up aware of the health care needs those who could not pay huge insurance premiums. Former British Prime ministers, John Major and Gordon Brown made huge allocations of funds for improving the educational prospects of children with special needs, because they had personal experiences that made them aware of this. 

What is the environment in which our children grow up! If it is full of acquisitiveness, material consciousness and creature comfort, then, it will become their choice as well. Instead, if they were introduced to living mindful of the needs of others, they will touch others with acts of kindness. The boy who gave his meal of five loaves and two fish to Jesus, when food was required to feed five thousand people, points to such an  environment at home.

The environment at home  has a defining role in influencing children to be altruistic in outlook !

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)