Children Today, Heroes Tomorrow!

            Everyone used to be a child and the children today should cherish every moment of their childhood and have fun because they will only get one chance on being young and carefree. Children are creative, carefree, adorable and curious little gremlins and it is up to the people older than them to teach them how to be great people for the next generations to come. Children are like flower buds, they are still young and developing; it’s like how a quote from an unnamed person, “Every Child Is A Different Kind Of Flower, And All Together, Make This World A Beautiful Garden”. They are full of potential that are yet to be unveiled to the world and it is up to people who are older to let them bloom and help them develop.

“Ang Kabataan ang Pag-asa ng Bayan,” is a line quoted by our national hero, Jose Rizal. The man believes that the youth is the hope of our nation and I agree with him. Children are blooming flowers and has not fully developed yet, they have to come through many more phases and trials, as they go through their lives they will gain more knowledge and gain wisdom as the time passes. Children are usually bright and creative. As time goes by, technology also develops and lets children gain more knowledge than the adults in the future; the more they know, the better for the nation to develop. Children have so many dreams, dreams that might be hard to reach like obtaining super powers, but as they grow older they would set goals for their life to serve as a guide. They would dream to be a doctor, teacher, engineer or even an astronaut! And it is up to us to help and guide them to make their dreams come true. Of course we are not going to do it all for them, but we can guide them into the right path! Teach them the basics, their rights and wrongs, their responsibilities and focus on their rights.

Here are the 12 rights of Filipino children:

1. Every child has the right to be born well.

2. Every child has the right to a wholesome family life.

3. Every child has the right to be raised well and become contributing members of society.

4. Every child has the right to basic needs.

5. Every child hast the right to access what they need to have a good life.

6. Every child has the right to education.

7. Every child has the right to play and enjoy their youth.

8. Every child has the right to be protected from danger.

9. Every child has the right to live in a productive environment.

10. Every child has the right to be cared for in the absence of their parent or guardian.

11. Every child has the right to good governance.

12. Every child has the right to freedom and peace.

I think these rights for Filipino children are necessary for the development of a child because without proper care, freedom, peace, safety and their right to have fun, the children would have a hard time developing their skills and unlock their abilities, talents and their real potentials.

Getting more into the topic, from my observation around my environment during the COVID 19 pandemic, most children near our house are just happily playing with each other, they are about 5 to 10 years old; around the city, there are also many teenagers who are already going out, hanging out with friends and families despite the pandemic. But most of these people who are still young and have so much potential can be mentally unwell. Everybody, not only the children are stressed, scared, anxious, lonely and depressed because if this pandemic. There is a lot in our plate to manage. The pandemic has greatly affected the children for they cannot enjoy the life they had before, they couldn’t attend school, play with friends and they have to stay in their houses all day. The distance learning isn’t the best way to educate the students but it’s not like there is any other way until all the students are fully vaccinated. 

Due to online classes and modules, from my experiences, it’s not making me feel any more good about the whole pandemic. The fact that I can’t get out in public, go to places with my family, not getting to see my friends every day and not attending school is a total bum. Oh, and we’re not going to forget Junior Prom! It just made me more miserable and I have been having difficulties with some subjects and waiting my whole life to attend prom with my frineds. All the Google Meets, Google Forms and printed/digital modules are stressing me out the fact I screamed and cried for 10 minutes straight one time.

What I’m trying to go about is that, when they try to find us a new and safe way to continue studying then they shouldn’t make it harder than before. Teachers say that we are not used to this type of learning yet but they are still pressuring us! It really depends on the teacher and their methods, but if you were that type of teacher to change slide after 10 seconds, that amount of time for us to read and process the questions and choices, then it’s the same pressure as giving a speech to a whole crowd! 

        

Parents are the ones who took care of us ever since we were born and they should continue to until we’re old enough to handle our lives by ourselves. During this pandemic, our parents are working hard still and also provide us care, guidance and love at the same time. It’s just right that they help their children in school, assist them in answering if they needed to, explain them a topic they are confused or even just tell them “You can do it! Don’t give up! We believe in you!”, and get motivated to study hard. Other than physical support, some parents from what I heard do not really “believe” or “understand” depression or other negative emotions that teens or children are feeling. Maybe they’re just bluffing, or maybe they aren’t. Parents should try to understand their children’s emotions so that they can comfort them when they needed someone to vent out to, someone who understands and listens to them. Same goes for teachers, they should also consider what their students feel about, don’t try and pressure them! It’s already hard adjusting to the new normal, don’t make it harder for them just to pass their answers, projects and performances! At this point, students only answer modules so they can pass something. 

In a nutshell, children need guidance, support and comfort for them to be motivated and inspired to dream and work harder. Children have their own rights in order for them to live a safe and happy life, for them have a bright and promising future and to grow up as a great person. You might never know that the kids you actually know and interact with might save your life, save our country or even the world in the future! The doctors, scientists, teachers and other professionals are the heroes today and the children are the heroes of tomorrow!

  

Resources:

"Every Child Is A Different Kind Of Flower, And All Together, Make This World A Beautiful Garden". Retrieved on November 20, 2021. https://www.toughliketaylor.com/blog/2019/3/28/every-child-is-a-different-kind-of-flower-and-all-together-make-this-world-a-beautiful-garden                                     
"Celebrating National Children’s Month: The 12 Rights of a Child". Retrieved on November 20, 2021. https://www.makatimed.net.ph/news-and-exhibits/news/celebrating-national-childrens-month
"Rights of every Child". Retrieved on November 20, 2021. https://www.voicesofyouth.org/blog/rights-every-child
"Stress and Anxiety Resources". Retrieved on November 20, 2021. https://www.keystonelocalschools.org/keystone-elementary-school/news/1696926/stress-and-anxiety-resources
"PARENT SUPPORT GROUPS TO UNDERSTAND YOUR CHILD’S STRUGGLES". Retrieved on November 20, 2021. https://insighttreatment.com/parent-support-groups-to-understand-your-childs-struggles/
"Hero stories - What are children really learning from them". Retried on November 20, 2021. https://www.teachwire.net/news/what-are-children-really-learning-from-hero-stories
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/305752262208479436/
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/701013498218359899/
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/564498134554845436/
“Big Hero 6 — Scott Watanabe” Retrieved September 28, 2021 https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/838795499354797043/
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/838795499354840847/