Omkar Dattatray
There are no opinions about home being the first school of citizenship and mother being the first teacher who imparts social ,cultural ,religious and what not knowledge to their children .It is again the home where children learn first lessons about civic life as first lessons are learnt by children in the family. The foundation of human personality is laid down in the family as it is the family where children receive informal education about the things which matter most and are beneficial to the lives and personalities of the children .In fact it is the home where sanaskars ,values and moral and ethical lessons are imparted to children while playing .In fact the mother prepares ,children for schooling as children learn alphabets and rhymes in home and children learn how to talk and behave in family and therefore nothing such should be done in family which adversely affects the lives of children and therefore children learn through fruitful interaction and guidance of the parents especially the role of mother cannot be exaggerated as its importance is very great in the development of children .All great personalities which world produced was possible only through active role of mothers and all the great men owe their personality to their mothers. Thus in the development and growth of human personality ,the role of parents especially mother is very great .The influence of mother in the growth of human personality cannot be denied .Mother in fact is the first tutor and the personality of mother and father has a great bearing and influence in the personality of an individual .Moral ,religious ,social ,cultural etc values are imparted to children first in family and later on in the formal education in school .It is in the home that a child learns how to talk ,walk ,behave .eat and dress and the child learns the civic values first in the home and later in the school these finer values are strengthened .It is the home and mother which teaches and imparts the lessons of cultural heritage and transmits the treasure of culture to children as all cultural values and ethical values are taught to children by the parents more so by mother .The influence of mother in shaping the personality of an individual is great .In fact a child learns in the womb of his mother and the family imparts cultural ,moral ,religious ,spiritual ,social values to children which later on help in shaping the personality of an individual .Home in fact is the first school where he/she learns many things which helps the children to nurture in future in formal schooling .Things learnt at home help children to lead a good and desired life in future .Good behavior of children is formed at home .Many things are taught to children at first years of their life which helps them in future school days and in their life in later years .Therefore many good things are and should be borne home to children at home by the parents especially by mother .Discipline ,fulfilling duty towards society and country should be taught to children at home and so good citizens are formed at home and through home .Children learn decent behavior and manners and how to behave with others and children are taught how to use their knowledge and brain in the best possible way and they should be taught the responsibility towards society and of course to the nation as well .It is true that home is the first school of a child where he or she learns many useful things which in fact lays the strong foundation which builds the human personality of course with formal schooling in later years .The brain of a child is so blank that what he sees is what he understands and does .The brain of the child is impressionable and what is taught in early years at school forms the part of his personality .So parents should be most careful in nurturing children at the formative and early years of his or her life .Parents have the sole responsibility for the formation of a child’s character .The first thing that a child learn is good habits ,without which he may not be liked by anyone in society .Second most important thing a child should be taught at home is the his culture ,tradition ,which is must and the third important thing is the value of life .In today’s context ,teenagers are misusing the precious life that they have been blessed with .At the birth of the child and in his formative days later, parents become his first teachers where the child learns many good things . It is often said and rightly so that home is the first school and parents are the first teachers for a child .They should provide such an environment so that their child can easily cope with the situational learning .Kids must be nurtured and brought up to match with the school education at home before they are admitted in a school .The child’s brain is like a white sheet of paper and whatever is said or done kids promptly mimic and behave accordingly .Good manners are the first thing ,parents must teach children .They should behave well with all family members so the child learns from home and behaves the same way in school too which would enhance their learning .A good mannered child attracts teachers and gets love and nurturing from them .Second important thing is to provide adequate information to kids .So that the child can at least say his name and other simple stuff .The third important thing is that a child must be taught to listen to others .So the parents should teach their children the art and habit of listening to others .This can be by patiently listening to the child or other members of the family .Learning does not mean merely knowing alphabets and numbers .Good manners, punctuality ,regularity must also be taught ,then only parents aspirations will be fulfilled .For a child ,school is an introduction to world outside the family unit and parents must prepare them for it ,teaching them at home makes the new generation a good and great one .Parents are the best guides who lead us to the path of enlightenment .Parents must teach children lessons of ethical values ,which applies for life time .Secondly ,it is very important to teach children hard work that eventually and definitely pays .Parents ,being the best leaders ,must teach their kids that patience is the foundations of success .A child’s first school is his/her mother’s womb where he/ she receives tender care and feels safe until born .According to Hindu mythology ,a home is everything for a child as it gives the child a feeling of security ,safety and happiness .A home for a child is a small world surrounded with parents and rest of family members and an environment mingled with their love until he/she grows up .It is a fact that every child receives his /her first education at home .To conclude it can be said safely and rightly that home is the first school of citizenship where the foundation of a strong human personality is built .It has been said long ago that the hands that rock the cradle the rules the world so much is the importance of home and mother being the first teacher of the child.
(The author is a columnist, social and KP activist).
