Childhood

Childhood, a time of bliss but only to be realized later.
A time not the same for everyone.

The first stage in the journey of life, when a being learns from the environment, grows within, develops understanding. As human adults we remember very little of what we encounter in our childhood, yet the events have a deep impression on the character development of the individuals.

Privileged are those who have a secure childhood, protected by their parents, secured financially, fulfilling emotionally. Recent years has seen remarkable improvements in child statistics related to sex ratio, education, health and care in India. Still some states need to work hard to match the country averages.Overall the situation is improving.

Philosophically, childhood is the most innocent and merry time one spends in its entire duration of life.Psychologically, childhood holds great importance in unraveling the reasons for current characteristics or behavior patterns or thought processes of any individual.

The first stage of childhood is when a being develops cognitive abilities. The Sub conscious mind is active, it learns but forgets how. I believe even when a child is not able to speak, is as young as 2 months, is still able to grasp from the environment, things which strike the most. It is very important to create a healthy and positive environment around a child for proper mental development. The general idea is that the child doesn't understand and hence anything can be said or done in its presence, this is wrong. Even if the child is not able to comprehend what is happening, there is continuous absorption from the surrounding, even more so as a child as everything is new.

The second stage is one where deeper understanding of religions, society or norms are created in the minds of children. This is also the stage when arts, hobbies and interests manifest verbally or physically. This is the time to monitor but not restrain the children.

Childhood is also the time when children develop and decide their social circles. A very important aspect for the future. These circles are not decided by any seeming profits but rather by sheer innocence and compatibility. It is almost surprising to see how accommodating children are without the interference from the parents. As the children step up to be teenagers, carrying childhood within them, they learn the ways of the world and the child within keeps growing smaller.

Personally, I believe what we remember from our childhood has a lot to do with repeated tasks.
Say, in a disciplined household where a routine if followed. Houses where people wake up at the same time, eat at the same time and together, leave for office at the same time, the children there will have a better vision of their childhood as they grow up. Compare this to a household where there is something different happening everyday. People wake up at different times, either go or not go to office, or go at a different time each time, shift houses very often, the children don't go out everyday to play with other children. In such scenario, clear maps in the mind may not form and not much about the childhood will be retained as children transcend into adulthood. Lack of adequate social interaction can lead to disabilities later, or an improper understanding of social conduct. It can also result in a very poor self-esteem in children.

All activities in childhood play an important role in life and character of individuals. As a part of society we must understand this and do our part to ensure a healthy childhood for the children. Our tomorrow rests on the present childhood.