Of
the many factors, that decide the academic success of a student, what we can
identify as two predominant traits are his INTELLIGENCE level and ENERGY/
MOTIVATION level. So, this gives way to a matrix which can be something like
this:
Type
1: High Intelligence + High Energy
=
Brilliant Student
Type
2: Low Intelligence + Low Energy
=
Dull Student
Type
3: High Intelligence + Low Energy
= Average Student
Type
4: Low Intelligence + High Energy
= Aggressive/ Adamant Student
Though
we tend to believe that God created all equally, it is not true. We see
difference in colour, character, and also the intelligence level. Psychologists
classify children as Gifted hildren, Special Child and Normal Child.
The
“Gifted child” is a quick learner as he has the ability to grasp
and understand concepts effortlessly.
The
“Special child” needs special care, from the teachers and students, because
they find it difficult to understand what is being taught to them. It is only
by repetitive teaching, can these children understand the subject.
In
between these two classification comes the “Normal child”, which is of concern
to us today. They are like the seed with potential to grow to a big tree, but
because they do not get the special care that a special child gets or the
appreciation that a gifted child gets, they get stranded on being a average
child.
The
responsibility of bringing out the best in a average child largely depends upon
his/ her teachers and parents.
The
general mentality of the parent, who has a average child is that they are
comfortable with the performance of their children and they are indifferent
towards their performance. For example, if the child has shown some small
improvement in his marks, he is not appreciated. He is always compared with the
brilliant students and made to feel that his small achievements are not praise
worthy. Similarly, when his performance goes down, they do not take it
seriously. They just tell him to do well next time. There is no special care
given to make him improve on his weak subjects.
Similarly
with the teachers, the reason why an average child is no ones child is because
of the lack of involving them. Let as assume a class of 30. In this class the
top ten performers are called the brilliant children and the last ten are
called the dull students. The brilliant children are asked to take part in all
the programmes and activities representing the school. The school is interested
that it should win more prizes and awards to gain public honour, and therefore
have the team consisting of the brilliant children. As far as the dull
children, they are generally not interested in participating. But it is the
average child who aspires to participate, but is not given a chance. This
attitude of the teacher demotivates the child. He starts feeling inferior to
others and he himself puts up a mental block, that he has not talents.
In
a world of today, success is not defined by the academic performance of the
student. What the corporate world is looking for today, is street smart
executives who have a flair in communication and a indomitable spirit.
We
have a role to play in shaping up the generation of tomorrow. Let us look with
new eyes, to the average child and create a better world for him. This we can
achieve only by involvement, motivation and appreciation.
Happy Reading,
D. Senthil Kannan
Article Dated July 2007