The Chinuch Lessons from Expert Educators
Recently Rabbi Nehemia Gramma spoke at our school’s Chinuch Melave Malka / education Saturday night dinner. The Title or the talk was “Raising Children with Tranquility”. He spoke of what is making kids unmotivated to advance.
He gave three ingredients necessary for a proper chinuch. Chinuch is different than education. Education comprises of teaching kids knowledge. Chinuch means we are also teaching children to be good people as well. Most schools teach knowledge. Torah schools also teach kids how to become better people.
Is Only Love Necessary?
He mentioned that many a time parents think that you just “have to love them” That’s the cure-all for all teenage problems. He said two other ingredients are necessary. Setting clear boundaries of what is right and wrong – what is acceptable and not. And thirdly a motivation for personal growth.
Examples of How Setting Boundaries Improved Motivation
He gave examples of how he helped kids who were uninterested in school into motivated achievers. One kid was given all he wanted – but he was failing in proper proper people skilled. The study partner of the teenager was called by the director. He told him to avoid interaction with the kid for he was a bad influence. The teen was to hurt – he decided to shape up – instead of feeling bad for himself. He became a top student.
Education is More than Love
It is true that love is a necessary component in helping the child to grow – but it is not the only one. The other two are necessary.
Building the Child
Love is not giving a child every thing they want. It is giving them the tools to deal with life in a positive fashion. There will be ups and downs – but the child will be built up – not spoon fed.
This is applicable to relationships. Giving without expecting requiring responsibility spoils the child. Giving them all the gadgets is not healthy for their emotional and relationship development.
Torah is a Venue for Developing Real Relationships
Torah Judaism is all about interaction and relationships. We eat together. We pray together. We learn together. We do mitzvot together. We rejoice together and comfort one another. Together as a family. Together as Friends. Together as congregants.
Establishing connections – like spending quality time together is a healthy part of growth and emotional maturity.
The interactions – allows for building people and relationships.
Technology vs. Relationships
Today’s generation is in a bind. On one hand they crave family ties. On the other hand they are addicted to media and technology.
I once gave a presentation in class. I mentioned that about 94% of households have a TV. I cracked a joke about the 6% of people who did not have one. People laughed.
Now the joke is on me. I am among the 6% without a TV.
In 2017, an average U.S. consumer spent 238 minutes (3h 58min) daily watching TV.[1]
Introduce a new media – the smart phone – and it becomes a pocket TV.
The Bad Baby Sitter
Let’s put aside the negative aspects and influence of the media these days. Let’s talk about the effect of the media on the family connections. The smart phone has become today’s new baby sitter. The kids are acting up – let me give them the smart phone. Kids are bored – let me put them in front of the TV.
Wise?
On an immediate convenience perspective – it is a simple way to shut children up or shut them out of your life for a few moments. Yes you have more important things to do. Really? That’s not usually parent’s intention – to shut them out – but kids are smart and understand the message. Parent’s convenience – has sent this message to children. Now parents ask – why are children so distant or acting up? You gave them a machine that teaches them how to act in the street. What do you expect.
The Media Dividing Wall
On a purely relationship / personal connection perspective when a family watches TV together – it is akin to putting a wall between them. Instead of interacting together – they have a device between them that separates them. Call it a cell phone or a TV – but it separates families. I’d rather interact with my parent than to watch a video – even if the parent put that smart phone in my hands.
Kids crave real relationships. Meaningful relationships – much more than a screen to help them pass the time – without reason or rhyme.
It’s good to know about yourself. A person who knows their challenges, strengths and weaknesses – is better equipped to self-improvement.
I get these phases in which I get involved with an subject that interests me. I do research. I buy the related products. Then it wanes. Once it was the Microscope phase. Once it was the laser. Once it was Free Energy. Once it was Making Your own Diesel Gas – Bio-Diesel. Once it was Water Fuel (HHO). I also got interested in Cell Phone Safety.
Shimshon HaGibor / 
Esav / Esau – in this week’s parasha / weekly Torah reading – 
Many a year ago – I ate at a Kosher Chinese restaurant called Moshe Peking in Manhattan. People say after Chinese food one feels hungry. Why? Many theories exist. It is low in protein. It is high in carbohydrates. It’s the salt or MSG. Whatever.
It occurs daily that people upset others – including yourself. G-d sends us these gifts as a way for us to reflect upon life and our actions to become better.
The Signet of Hash-m / G-d is Truth.