Around 98% of brain growth happens in the first six years of age, our brain gets stimulation through our senses, and the maximum stimulation is from our feet and hands, so children are naturally fidgety.
My six-year-old son is always restless and can’t stand or sit still. He is constantly fiddling with something, even while reading or writing. This irritates me as I get the impression that he is distracted though I think he does it unconsciously. I’d like your inputs on another problem I encounter. My son has the habit of showing off his toys and interrupting our guests when they are talking. He refuses to leave the scene when we’re entertaining guests. I have tried explaining in many ways, but he fails to understand. Please help.
—Jaayya Hebbal
‘Small muscle exercise stimulates brain growth.’ ‘Small children are naturally fidgety.’ Now connect the two sentences and you will get the picture. Around 98% of brain growth happens in the first six years of age, our brain gets stimulation through our senses, and the maximum stimulation is from our feet and hands, so children are naturally fidgety. I would say be proud if your child is fidgety, it means more grey cell growth in the brain! As long as his fidgetiness is not harming him, relax and ignore it, it will pass.
About the other problem, looks like he is a social child and loves to interact and socialise, so when guests come, keep the first 10 minutes or so dedicated to him so that he gets attention and then give him a responsible activity to keep him busy so that you can interact with guests. He is an enthusiastic and intelligent child who just needs the right encouragement. All the best.
My daughter, three years old, has started playgroup at a playschool nearby. She has also recently started going there and coming back home by a van provided by the school. Though the distance isn’t much we prefer this arrangement as it leaves other members of the family free. She seems to be enjoying the trips too. The problem is the school doesn’t provide a female attendant in the van; both the driver and the helper are male. I have tried to tell the school that I feel uneasy about this and would prefer it if a female attendant accompanied the children. Am I being too paranoid? Reading about cases of child abuse, I feel it’s better to be safe than sorry. Should I take up the matter more seriously with the school? Please advise.
—Latika Joshi Indiranagar
You are not paranoid at all, and you should insist on a female attendant especially as children today are prone to child abuse. So, till she is able to communicate all that happens to her, insist on safe adults accompanying her.
I have compiled a CD on ‘Good Touch Bad Touch’ which you can download for free from www.jumbokids.com or send in your address and we can send you a copy. Show this to her, so that she knows about good touch, bad touch and can help keep herself safe.
Also remember, the first good indication of the quality of a school is its parent partnership program, so approach them with your anxiety and I am sure they will listen to you. Go to the owner and in case it is a franchise set up, write to the brand head.
My four-year-old daughter refuses to wear anything but shorts and t-shirts. Even on special occasions, it is impossible for us to get her to wear anything else. Her friends from school wear pretty dresses and I've tried pointing that out to her, but she is adamant to wear nothing else. Please suggest ways to get her to at least try something else.
—Marietto Gonsalves, Cox Town
Hey, what’s in a dress? As long as your child is happy and confident in her individuality let her be. As parents we love to have a set idea about dress, food and career for our children, but children also have their own ideas, let her blossom in her shorts and t-shirts, after all it’s making her happy and isn’t that the goal of parenthood? Send me her picture; I will keep it on my desk as an inspiration of childhood spirit of independent thinking.
Swati Popat Vats, president of Podar Education Network is an educationist and the author of several books on parenting
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