- Children’s wellbeing is necessary for a healthy and sustaining life. Schools also have a major role to play in child’s wellbeing as children spend much of their productive hours at school. At school, the wellbeing is not only the responsibility of counsellor but parents and teachers also. The parents and school should work together in collaboration. The approach from school is to console, convince and counsel the child as well as the parent. A well understanding and equipped teacher can support the children in many ways.
Wellbeing support by
teachers, parents and principal:
Below are the roles played by these stakeholders for wellbeing support at school and home.
Role of teachers:
Teachers are role model, they influence children at the classroom in multiple aspects- behaviour, motivation, patience, career aspiration etc. The teacher is the first contact at the school environment to whom the children can easily reach. In my study teachers said that if they have prior knowledge of counselling, they can tackle the issues which children face.
Below are two concepts we observed in the schools of our study. These practices we felt are contributing to student wellbeing:
1. Concept of zero periods at school:
In one of the schools of our study, there is a concept of zero periods till class 10th, which is like a free period. It will help class teachers to build rapport with children. In this period, the teacher and children can interact freely.
2. Circle time at school:
Circle time is conducted from LKG to 5th standard, which gives an opportunity for children to have 1 to 1 interaction with teachers and also among children themselves.
Role of principals:
Principals also play an important role in supporting children. One principal said that the counselling is part and parcel of the principal’s service. They do informal counselling whenever it is required. Principals should also do daily observations and give feedback to teachers.
One of the principals in our study shared a case study wherein she acted as a counsellor to work on behavioural issues of a child. Teachers were compelling her to give TC to a particular student, who was notorious. The principal did not agree upon giving TC. She took a lot of efforts to counsel this student, and after some months of support, the principal could see the change in this student’s attitude and behaviour to large extent. She said, when we have got them into our school, it is our responsibility to guide and develop them.
Role of parents:
Parents should have
regular communication with the school. Parents should support their children for
academic and socio-emotional development at-home environment. Parents should
also be intimated regarding the challenges faced by students at school. And the
parents too should share the child’s home challenges with teachers. Parent’s
feedback should also be taken into account.
There are two environments where the child spends productive time- home and school:
The children spend their time in two environments- home and school. The behaviour of children at home influences school and behaviour of children at school influences home. Frictions have to be solved in an affectionate manner. It is all about a triangle- child, teacher and parent. Each participant is important for a child’s success. A parent should become like teacher and teacher should become like the parent.
In our study we tried to compare the features of these two environments. Below are some of the variations between home and school which might sometime cause confusion/challenges in children.
Note:
The above tables are not strict segregation, they are on a general
understanding. The above components can be vice versa also depending upon the social, and cultural differences.
If you have any clarification, suggestion, you can write in the comment section.
This is part of Children's mental health and wellbeing series brought to you by Credence Learning Foundation. This article is taken from a study submitted as course work at Azim Premji University.
