MORAL STORIES

ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

A mother brought her child to a great teacher and asked, “Sir, when should I start teaching my child?” The teacher told her, “You are already very late. You should have initiated his study at least from the day of conception.”

Samson was one of the Judges of Israelites, who protected the Israelites by destroying many Philistines. Before his conception, the angel of God appeared to his mother, the wife of Manoah and announced, “You will soon be pregnant and have a son. Take care not to drink any wine or beer, or eat any forbidden food” {Judges 13: 3, 4}.

Pregnant women are encouraged to consume nutritious food for the benefit of the baby. They are advised to abstain from harmful foods, drinks and drugs because these substances may enter the child’s body from the mother’s blood and damage the growing fetus. Similarly, the hormones produced in the mother’s body in reaction to physical, chemical and emotional stimuli may affect the growth and development of the child in the womb. Pregnant women take good care in their life-style in order to give birth to babies with physical, mental and intellectual fitness.

The child starts to learn from the parents and the environment. The behaviour, words, actions and reactions of the parents immensely influence a child’s growth.

A popular axiom teaches that applying manure on the top of a crop is not fruitful. It has to be applied systematically during the growth of the plant. Morality and faith in God are to be imparted to children from early infancy. Every attempt is to be made for the physical, mental, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual development of the child. The parents are the first teachers of children. Children often imitate their parents. Hence they must be role models for their children. Grand parents also have a significant role in a child’s development.

The foundation for a child’s education and development are laid at home from early infancy. Children with the strength of Samson, the valour of David and the wisdom of Solomon may be rare. Good children are generous gifts of God. Their development depends on the willingness of the parents to participate and co-operate in God’s plan for their future.

This is story No.118 in this site. Please click ‘older posts’ at bottom of page to read previous stories.

By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India.