Category: Early Childhood Development

My Readables > Early Childhood Development

Teen Depression | Are You Feeling Suicidal?

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

Adolescent suicides are preventable. What parents and educators should know about the reasons, the warning signs and the preventive steps that can protect their teens?

Last week, one of my friends shared an unexpected incident with me about her twelve-year-old niece. She used to maintain a diary in which she takes notes about her daily activities and reflections. One day, her mother was shocked to read some of the entries from her diary where she mentioned that “…I think my life is empty as nobody, even my mother, understands me…I think I should kill myself.” This journal entry of a twelve-year-old gives us a clear look at what kind of stress our teenagers are going through especially when they are confining to their homes, socially distant from their friends and relatives. However, the much-needed question is, are parents aware of how to handle such kind of circumstances? Or what steps parents should take to mitigate the risk? Continue reading “Teen Depression | Are You Feeling Suicidal?” →

What It’s Like To Be A Teenager During The Times Of Pandemic?

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

What new challenges young people face in the era of Covid? What parents (adults) should know about these challenges?

Many of the students recently shared their post-Covid experiences with me during their new term orientation last week. However, the majority of them share a similar phrase, ‘Parents just don’t understand’. Although, this phrase is an old refrain, in present time it has a new definition. I sensed from my students’ reflections that they think their parents should be aware of their challenging moments. As most teenagers are now cut off from schools, their friends, sports, hobbies and everything else that filled their pre-pandemic days, the parent-child relationship is now under more stress than ever.

Jessica Grose, a journalist and novelist at NY Times, writes about parenting adolescents’ challenges in one of her articles ‘ The Hardest Fight to Have With Your Teen.’

‘I have long thought that it might be the hardest for parents of teenagers when it comes to being a parent in the pandemic. Parents of little ones can meet most of our children’s social needs, and our kids still kind of want to be around us. Not so for parents of teens….’ Continue reading “What It’s Like To Be A Teenager During The Times Of Pandemic?” →

The Story of Tortoise and the Hare – Inspirational Short Stories Series (Chapter: 2)

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

What can adolescents learn from Aesop’s classic tale of all time?

Our parents have always guided us that determination and self-motivation is the key to success, and yet we continue this chain by giving the same guidance to our kids. However, have you ever thought why motivation and self-determination are essential for a teenager who just starts seeing the world through their own perspective? According to Shelly D Mohan, self-determination is one of the most significant factors feeding teens ability to make healthy choices.  However, due to extreme competitive environment, peer and outside pressure, teens sometimes find it challenging to make healthy decisions.

Also Read |  How Does Peer Pressure Affect Teen’s Decision Making?

The tortoise and the hare are the Aesop’s one of the marvels among his collection of fables. The story stresses how determination and focus can lead you to success in your goals. The story has been told and retold over the ages in many versions. A race between the pride and the determination – who will win the race? Continue reading “The Story of Tortoise and the Hare – Inspirational Short Stories Series (Chapter: 2)” →

The Story of the Peacock and the Nightingale – Inspirational Short Stories Series (Chapter: 01)

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

The Story of the Peacock and the Nightingale

Have you ever wondered why sometimes we feel empty and lonely, even surround by our loved ones?   Did your mind ever struck with a question ‘Why God doesn’t love me, or I am the only one who is suffering all others are living their lives happily and stress-free?’  Yes – you guess it right – it is the feeling of insecurity and fear. Fear that if others really knew us that they would neither love us nor like us. We fail to see our own value, while simultaneously thinking more highly of ourselves than we should. In this weird paradox, we start comparing our lives to others and start counting our shortcomings and estimating how miserable we are compared to our friend, neighbour or even to our sibling. While competing with our fears, we always forgot how blessed we are in our lives. Continue reading “The Story of the Peacock and the Nightingale – Inspirational Short Stories Series (Chapter: 01)” →

Parenting During Pandemic: How to Address Adolescent’s Fears and Keep Their Healthy Routines

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

Parenting During Pandemic: How to Address Adolescent’s Fears and Keep Their Healthy Routines

In South Asian countries like India and Pakistan, it has been three months since our lives and activities have become limited to our home only. Like everybody else, teenagers have also become the victim of this pandemic, and it brings them a set of newfound fears at an age when young people tend to feel invincible. Schools and colleges have been shut down with no favourable chances of reopening them soon. Many of my students are connected to me as well as parents; they usually share their concerns and hopes just to make sure things will going to be normal soon – which I also hope and pray. However, talking with them makes me think that students, especially teens, are at a significant transition period in their lives, and parents should consider this transition seriously. During this crucial period in their development, teens often are suddenly faced with processing a range of intense emotions, from fear and anger to sadness and grief. Continue reading “Parenting During Pandemic: How to Address Adolescent’s Fears and Keep Their Healthy Routines” →