<\/p>Many years ago three little boys, not more than 5 got into trouble because they broke an\u00a0exhibit. The exhibit was not expensive but what bothered me was that nobody owned up.\u00a0Finally, circumstances showed that it could only be these three boys. I called them outside\u00a0the class and asked them if they had broken the exhibit.\n

\u201cSure,\u201d he said. \u201cIf you tell the truth, you get beaten up. First my mum will scold me. Then\u00a0my dad will beat me. Then my sister and i will cry.\u201d\u00a0He said it with such a matter of fact tone that I laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is not possible. Everybody says anything I do or say is naughty.\u201d<\/p>\n

I gave him a hug and thought to myself: what sort of 5 years has this child had? The child\u00a0had become a toughened liar at 5 an age when he should not even know that there are lies!<\/p>\n

A boy was learning to ride the cycle. He turned to discover that his friend had let him go and\u00a0that no one was helping him balance. He panicked and rode straight into a door. 6 kids came\u00a0to me and he was one of them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am sorry, I lost balance and rode on the door and a small hole became,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo punishment. You came and told me yourself and that takes courage and truthfulness.\u00a0So no, no punishment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe told you,\u201d said one of the group. \u201cShe never punishes if we tell the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

Later I went to check the door and was horrified to find that the \u2018small\u2019 hole was big enough\u00a0to pass a television set through. But the fact remained that the child had \u2018confessed\u2019 of his\u00a0own accord and so was worthy of commendation.<\/p>\n

Fear is man\u2019s greatest enemy and fear makes a child say and do what he never must. Take\u00a0away fear, take away guilt, feed a child self esteem and he will never stoop to tell a lie or do\u00a0something reprehensible.\u00a0Every child evaluates his own action and when he has done something incorrect he should\u00a0have the courage to come and tell the adult about it. And the adult must shake his hands\u00a0and say, \u201cWhile I deplore what has happened I appreciate your courage to tell the truth. I\u00a0am proud of you, my son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aruna Raghavan along with her husband Mr Raghavan are well known experts in child development & education. They have helped set up 50 schools across India and Malaysia. Our unique education method, \u2018Quad Seek\u2019 was originally researched in USA and adapted by the Raghavans \u2013 the educationists, mentors & inspiration behind Lumens Schools.\u00a0Read their story.<\/a><\/p>\n

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Aruna Raghavan at the Lumens Sports Day<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<\/body>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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