The Tale Of An African Child

IMPORTANCE OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT

(A must read)

Growing up as a child in the slums of Nigeria west Africa, I never thought of amounting to much or doing anything significant as I was surrounded by a culture that promotes mediocrity, dishonesty and moral perversion.

I was struggling with a poor self image that nobody cared about, I never believed in myself because no one told me I could do or become anything worthwhile.

At the age of five I was already manifesting uncommon abilities such as, memorizing anything at ease, demystifying hard sentences, making profound Statements that made some to consider me weird most times. infact I can still recite word for word, the famous speech of Adolf Hitler which I committed to memory at that tender age. yet my potential was retarded, my innate abilities were boxed in a culture that never saw the need to cultivate and develop the potential of an African child.

To make matters worst, I never took this gifts seriously because nobody told me it was a gift. Rather someone will have to shut you up and say, "come, no dey do like say na you know pass" (Nigeria pigin English which means, "stop acting like you are more knowledgeable than others")

All this and many more made me to doubt myself, hate myself, and then I decided to stop trying because I felt it was futile.

This is the fate of so many children in the African soil and In the world at large.

I used my story as a pointer to the many talents that are wasting in our beloved continent and world.

As parents, guardians, teachers, pastors, leaders e.t.c. it is our responsibility to identify and cultivate the gifts and potential of our beloved children.

70 years from now, you will not be bothered about the car you once drove, the house you once lived in or the certificates you did everything possible to acquire. the only thing that will matter is the footprint and legacy you left for your children and every child you met in your life time.

Neglect anything else, but not a child.

FIVE THINGS EVERY PARENT MUST GIVE TO THEIR CHILDREN.

The period of early childhood development is arguably the most important period of life. In order to reach their full potential, children need appropriate support from families, schools, religion groups, Government e.t.c there are basically five areas we need to support our children. If you are not ready to give this five things to a child, please don't bother bringing one into this world. you will be creating more nuisance in society if you deny a child this essentials.

1. GOD: this is the first and best gift you can give to a child. when children find God in their early lives, they tend to become useful to society at large. Give them God first and they will find the good path and walk in it all their lives. Please don't deny a child the privilege to be connected to his maker early in life. You cannot give him salvation because that is a choice every person must make volitionally. But you can Expose that child to an atmosphere where he can find God for himself.

2. LOVE AND CARE: every child on Earth deserves love, deserves care and I believe this is the foundation for child development. No matter what you give to a child, if you deny him this privilege, you have denied him everything. Don't just leave your children to Nannys and childcare institutions. Look, no one can love and care for your child the same way you will do.

I think this is why society is filled with so much hate and selfishness. It all starts at home! There is no way you will give a child love at home and he will come outside and give out hate. Remember scriptures can't be Broken, "train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it". Proverbs 22:6

3) EDUCATION/SKILLS: give them the Opportunity for Early Learning! Learning begins from birth, not just when a child starts to attend nursery, pre-school or high school. This early learning will help a child develop social competence, resilience, creativity and patience. Opportunities for early learning are promoted through play, communication and stimulation from other children and adults.

Although often considered a frivolous activity, play is an integral component of a child’s development. Simply put, play is learning. Play can involve all of a child’s senses (sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste), and through play, children develop a number of skills, including problem-solving, creativity, expression of emotions and socialisation. Please send them to good schools as your pocket can afford. Do not leave any child unschooled, do not keep a child at home when his mates are developing their minds, either by schooling or by learning a profitable trade. If you can borrow money to look good, live large, or even conduct a burial, why can't you do the same and more for the innocent child you brought into this world?

4) Security and Safety: Young children are incredibly vulnerable to numerous threats within their environment. A perfect example is the recent shooting of elementary school students which claimed the lives of many promising children in the USA. (Who knows what they would have given to society in their Adulthood) may their soul rest in peace. Please don't leave the safety of your child to any school, church or social group because humans are first humans before they are anything else.

Children who are not made to feel safe and secure by a parent can withdraw socially and act fearful of adults and other children.

5) Adequate Nutrition: Essential nutrients are needed for a child’s brain and body to develop, both during a mother’s pregnancy and in the early period after birth. Essential nutrients may include proteins and fats to help the body grow and vitamin A to build the child’s immune system

Parents should encourage good health by protecting the child from household and environmental danger, adopting good hygiene practices, and using promotive, preventive and curative healthcare services.

Please before I drop my pen, I want to say that there is no future without our children. Remember, A generation is already passing away, another is coming, please let's do everything within our power to avoid the mistakes of our fathers. Thanks and HAPPY CHILDREN'S DAY.

My name is Geres and I am your friend

Live for purpose,

Live for meaning.

©Geres Osaribie