The QnA with Mr. Pavan Kuman Yadav, Psychosocial Counselor, conveys everything one needs to know as a parent to help their children to channelize their energy towards the right path.

Q. What are positive and negative energies in children?

When a child has positive energy it becomes creative, inquisitive, and has desire to learn. It begins to ask parents, or other members of the family questions to seek more knowledge.  The child’s academic as well as in personal life shows remarkable growth.  The energy that produces such behavior is considered positive energy.

On the other hand negative energy manifests in a child through its display of stubbornness, and it looking everything in a negative manner, and not being happy with whatever it has.  When there is too much negative energy in the child it is often seen that the child becomes cranky, and unnecessarily rude and angry.  The child will become restless, and will not be able to concentrate in its studies or in any other activities.

Q. What are the sources of these energies?

There are many factors that could contribute to the growth of positive and negative energies.  The first is the environment around the child.  If there is a loving, protective, and nurturing environment then that is bound to generate positive energy, but if it is just the opposite then one can expect negative energy. 

The second is, the relationship the child’s parents have with each other.  If the relation between parents is loving and respectful, the child feels safe which raises positive energy. 

The third, is the lack of physical space for children to play and run around to release their energy.  If there is no space for children to release their energy, this pent-up energy make them cranky and angry, and makes them less productive in their daily lives. 

And the fourth is the over use of electrical gadgets.  After a child has used electronic gadgets for a long period of time, it will display hostile behavior when the gadgets are taken away from them.  This is nothing but an exhibition of negative energy.

Q. How should they channelize their energy?

It is a huge challenge.  But the awareness of parents of the need to channelize the energy itself is a big start that leads to various resources that are available. 

Q. How can parents help them?

There are many small and simple techniques parents can apply to help their children to channelize their energy productively, such as:

  • Spending quality time with their child
  • Keeping in touch with the child’s need for physical and emotional comfort
  • Being in aware of people who hang out with your children
  • Keeping children involved in some physical activities
  • Asking the child to join in the household chores, and making the chores fun for them.
  • Limiting and monitoring their use of electronic gadgets
  • Helping the child to socialize with other children 
  • Keeping oneself aware of the importance of properly channelizing child’s energy

Q. How can other extended members such as grandparents, uncle etc. help in that process?

The other extended members such as grandparents can certainly help in the process.  I have often seen children from nuclear families having more problems as they have limited people to communicate.  Sometimes communicating with other members other than the parents can also bring in positive energy as the child learns new values such as respect for elders while talking to them, and gains greater understanding of the world through stories hear from them.

Q. What is the role of the schools in helping the children to channelize their energy?

Schools and homes have about an equal role in channelizing the child’s energy.  Like at home, the environment of the classroom and the school, the availability of physical space at school, and more importantly the relationship between the teachers and the child play a great role in channelizing the energy in a positive way.  As a parent it is important to select a good school.  I personally don’t feel that a good school needs to be expensive.  What is important is whether or not the school is able to cater the child’s need for positive growth.

Q. What are the consequences if the energies are not channelized properly?

If the energy is not channelized properly it can pose a great threat to the child.  There is high chance of delayed brain development. And the child may not be able to grow to its full potential.  If the energy is not channelized in a positive way, the child could go in a wrong path, and may even get into bad company, and drugs.   I have seen a lot of children who are below the age of thirteen who have gotten into bad company and do drugs.  It is very important that we understand as parents or teachers, the origins of various types of energies, and the necessity for channelizing a child’s energy in a positive and productive manner.