The importance of G.K. for Kids

1990s - Good old school time and good old report cards...

After 5-6 major subjects in our report card, there were some minor subjects like- Art, Music, Moral Science and G.K. I still remember revising some current affairs, just before the G.K. exam. And if any question came from the 'studied' current affair, it felt so good. 

Come today 2022- Art and Music have grown by leaps and bounds. These are taught in schools plus the kids learn them through extra classes too. But Moral Science and G.K. are lost as a subject. They are no more independent or mandatory subjects, though the moral concepts and general knowledge is still provided in different forms or as different activities. 

Talking to various kids from few years made me feel that though today's kids are way sharper, but they are low on current affairs and general awareness.

General Knowledge is built over years. It can't be gained overnight by reading one or two G.K. books.

Middle years children (5-10 years) and pre-teens often come up with multiple questions. G.K. could be answer to their hunger, to their quest. G.K. makes them way stronger in discussions, debates, group talks and general conversations.

What all is included in G.K.?

General Knowledge means the basic awareness about the environment in and around you i.e., your culture, your society, your heritage, your habitat, and your planet (as a whole). Having a sound general knowledge does not mean that the child must be an academic topper or he/she needs to study day and night. G.K. is so vast, that we can't know each and everything. For an aware personality, an active and receptive mind is the key.

I read somewhere-

"An intelligent is a person, who knows the right answer at the right time."

And the right answer at a right time usually comes from a person who is confident about himself/ herself. This confidence comes from inside, which in turn, is a result of strong general awareness.

How can we increase the general knowledge of kids?

1. Having G.K. as a subject in schools 📖: Parents should bring this up in parent-teacher meets and insist about incorporating G.K. again as a subject, though may be as a minor subject. 

2. Circle Time @ Home: 

As there is circle time at school, we can keep circle time at home too. Circle time is like an informal group discussion. We can have a daily 10-minute circle time with our kids before sleeping. We can discuss about few basic happenings in and around the world or we can just tell them about some famous monuments/ personalities/ places. A daily G.K ritual can supplement their knowledge in a great way.

3. Have an Atlas and a Globe @ Home:

Be it finding countries, seeing oceans and continents, capitals, deserts, mountains, plateaus, equator, poles - kids love to explore. As we know visual memories are the strongest memories, seeing and finding these places in atlas/ on globe will keep them updated with various locations across our planet for a long time. Geographical knowledge fascinates the kids and adults both. 

4. Subscribe a Children's Magazine: Magazines have colourful pictures and graphics which give a better visual and sensory reading experience. Plus, magazines contain latest information which keeps the kids engaged and updated.

Popular magazines for kids are Reader's Digest, National Geographic Kids , iNTELLYJELLY and Competition Success Review (CSR- for older children) 

5. Quiz Contest:

Cadbury Bournvita Quiz contest, hosted by Derek O' Brien, in 90s, was a brilliant kid's quiz show, which really excited those 'inquisitive' and 'curious' nerves. It was a delight to watch.

These days we don't get to see such classy quiz shows for kids. These shows drove the hunger to learn more, to know more. 

Currently, KBC is a good popular quiz show. We should encourage our children to watch it.

6. Reading:

Reading books is the best habit which children can develop. 

Once a lady asked Albert Einstein about how can she help her young son become a scientist? 

Sir Albert Einstein's reply is credited as, "If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be very intelligent, read them more fairy tales."

Fiction or non-fiction, fairy tales or true stories, travel-related or spiritual- we learn something from each and every book. The doors of our imagination widen more and more. Even if you read a book 100 times, you will find something new each time you read it. Books are like essential vitamins and minerals to our roots. More we read them, stronger our roots become. (Here, roots refer to roots of our knowledge). Like healthy roots make a healthy and prosperous plant, in the same way, an informed child would raise up to a confident human being.

Grow Knowledgeable with G.K.