Category: Mind Sciences

My Readables > Mind Sciences

The Power of Deep Curiosity and The Fear of Asking Questions

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

Questions Are the Fuel to Our Never-ending Search and Enquiry – Then Why Sometimes We Are Afraid of Them and Consider Them Foolish to Ask?

Last week, during a topic discussion on the history of the pandemic, a parent came and sat in my class. I usually allow parents to attend classes to be a part of their kid’s learning journey. A student, after the discussion, asked a question that was too obvious for many, but for me, it was kind of rhetorical. “…Sir, in mediaeval times people do cover up their faces then what makes the virus spread so fast?” Although we have discussed in the start what makes the virus spread so fast by having the present world example of covid 19 and its spread in 2020. However, what puzzled me was that the parent suddenly has a sarcastic smile that every student has witnessed, including the one who asked the question. I let students answer this question collaboratively. After the class, the parent thanked me for allowing her to sit and observe the class. Continue reading “The Power of Deep Curiosity and The Fear of Asking Questions” →

How Does Listening Music Benefit Your Classroom and Student Engagement?

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

Chill Realms – The Latest Addition to My Readables That Helps Teachers to Boost Student Engagement and Participation During the Lessons

One of the post-covid effects on students these days is that they become too busy in their daily hybrid learning schedules that they hardly get any time to relax or even do something that reduces their exam anxiety. Studies suggest that to minimise stress during studies, one needs to engage in an activity that helps concentrate on their task and listening to music is one such activity. Researchers believe that exposure to music can improve classroom learning and increase a positive classroom atmosphere. I realised the importance of listening to music during my extended summer vacation. Continue reading “How Does Listening Music Benefit Your Classroom and Student Engagement?” →

Why Do Kids Need to Be Encouraged to Become Original Thinkers?

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

Researchers Believe That Originality Turns Out to Be Essential for The Kids in All Fields of Life, especially in a Time of Distress

Last week, a student waited for me after the class just to ask one thing ‘Do I have a unique mind?’ The question was spontaneous, which made me pause for a moment before replying to her question. I gently asked, ‘Dear, what made you ask this question?’ She replied, ‘Sir, I think I am a good student,” she explains thoughtfully, rolling her eyes, ‘but do I have the kind of mind where I can come up with a new and unique thought? Maybe I’m intended to be one of those people who spend their lives listening to what other creative people say.’ I smiled and replied, ‘Not need to worry, dear. Everybody feels that way. Even I sometimes feel that my thoughts are the copied ones, and that is okay. It doesn’t mean that I have a lesser value than any other human being on this earth.’ She smiled back convincingly, and after a bit of talk, we left our Zoom meeting. But this conversation left me with a question, does originality really matter when valuing ourselves or others? Continue reading “Why Do Kids Need to Be Encouraged to Become Original Thinkers?” →

How Reading Helps Students to Overcome Stress in a Time of Crisis

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

Researchers Believe That Adolescent’s Post Pandemic Stress Can Be Conquer Through Reading Habits

A new term began, and once again, a fresh lot started their new yet another virtual learning journey with me. Interestingly, this time around, I found some students who like to read books and are even interested in sharing their reviews during the class. You guys must be wondering why I am expressing such joy upon knowing that my students read books. According to a survey conducted in 2019 by Gallup and Gillani Pakistan, 3 out of 4 Pakistani students (75%) have never read any book at all except their course curriculum books. The average, only 9% of students are keen readers. The question is why, over the years, reading culture has drastically declined in our country, especially among teens? The definitive answers may be over-dependency on electronic and social media etc. But why one wanting to develop such habits when the majority of the world is now technology dependent. Does reading books is now becoming an ‘obsolete culture’? What role does a reading habit play in a time where people are bound to keep themselves physically distant? Continue reading “How Reading Helps Students to Overcome Stress in a Time of Crisis” →

Violent Video Games and the Teen’s Mental Health

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

Recent Research Findings Indicate That Video Games Are Not as Bad as We Once Feared

When it comes to video games, there is a common belief that ‘kids playing violent video games can lead to aggressive behaviours.’ Similar expressions were shared by one of the parents complaining that her kid spent most of his free time on a ‘violent video game’ CS-GO (Counter Strike – Global Offensive: a multiplayer first-person, objective-based shooter game). She believes that her son might have developed aggressive behaviour, which can also deteriorate his physical health. Interestingly, the concerns are valid. As I mentioned in my previous articles, too much screen time can impair the teen’s brain function. However, there are two different concerns which parents and educators sometimes consider as one. First, spending excessive hours playing video games and Second, playing violent video games in leisure time. In this article, I will briefly discuss both concerns separately to understand whether playing violent video games really related to teens’ mental health? Continue reading “Violent Video Games and the Teen’s Mental Health” →