Parenting Is ……

...Digitally Smart

Success For Our Children

Establishing“Smart Sanskar”

Rudrasen Sitoleh

http://rudrasen.com

Agenda

Introduction

Present scenario – 3 forces of change

3 major concerns or aspirations

Recommendations – 7 Smart Sanskars

Our aspirations and concerns

As parents , what do we want for our children?

Be prepared Be happy To excel

I want to mention my upbringing and background that has imparted me a unique perspective and awareness.

where I grew up

Shitole Deshmukh family of Pune. I had a traditional upbringing with Yogic values.

Upbringing

My father is a Guru. Yogiraj Siddhanath He has devoted his life to self realization.

His mission is to spread the message of Babaji and teach Kriya Yoga.

Silicon Valley Decade

● B.E Computers - PICT

● M.S. Computers - Syracuse University New York

● Worked in Silicon Valley for Intel Corp. Gaming & Internet startups

● Lived , worked and raised family in American culture

● Moved back to Pune

Founder and principal of 7 Level Studios

Game development consultancy. design and develop mobile apps and casual games.

Interests are in team management, software design and game design.

As a software entrepreneur and consultant

I advise fellow startups in Pune.

Volunteer director for a spiritual non-profit “Hamsa Yoga Sangh”in USA and India.

My work

My understanding

I was blessed to experience life from very distinct point of views

1. Traditional Family childhood in Pune

2. Modern pragmatic lifestyle in the USA.

3. Education & career in hi-tech software field

4. Experience in the non-profit domain

Our culture, attitudes and values

1. Globalized world

2. Digital technology and media

3. Urbanized family

India is now a collision of the ancient and the modern. We are undergoing a transformation! 3 new forces are shaping our children!

Force #1 : Globalized world

•Open market is discarding the old ways and bring in new opportunities.

•Economic cycles have increased disparity

•Consumerism on the rise!•Knowledge economy is redefining jobs,

careers and education.

Force #2: Technology revolution and media lifestyle

•Digital technology is exploding in India•TV, media and mobile computing are here to

stay and keep growing!•No one can afford to be insulated•Our children are already digital natives. •Digital & Media Literacy is a must if you want

to influence them.

Force #3 Urbanized family

•Nuclear families are rising. •Traditional family ideals are disintegrating.•Fragmented lifestyle and time poverty.•We are falling prey to modernization.•Our kids are growing up in an “urbanized”

family environment.

Us , the“Indian parent”

● We want the best for our children

● But we are still trying to raise our children like our parents did.

● Our plans and dreams for them will be obsolete.

● Ours ideals might shortchange their goals .

● We need to be prepared, aware.

● and above all participate!

Our Aspirations as a parentBased on the 3 major areas of concerns . Our

children should

1. Be prepared for the 21st century

2.Be happy and handle life's challenges with strength and resilience.

3.Excel personally and professionally

Based on these 3 aspirations and the 3 forces of change, I have devised “Smart Sanskars”!

Smart Sanskars

To make our children “succeed”!

To tackle the economic , technological and cultural forces of change!

Preparing our children for the 21 century while retaining their core values and identity.

The 7 action steps for parents to develop wisdom and smarts in our children!

#1: Create space for play and free time

Set aside down time where there are no screens (TV,computer, mobile) or gadgets

• This is a time to relax and play with friends or family .

• Establish this as a happiness ritual • This is to recuperate from the

compulsion of working and continuous mind feed.

#1: Create space for play and free time

Modern societies have fallen prey to “time poverty” The paradox of automation and acceleration has robbed us of our time.

Western culture has valued work over relationships. Indian family culture always had the opportunity for relaxation and recreation, we need to uphold this.

We have to reclaim free time.

#2: Meditation & Prayer

Practice 5 minutes of Solitude/Meditation dailyEstablish a short and simple ritual for your childSuch as lighting an lamp & evening prayerThis will become their emotional and spiritual

anchorWill help them cope with the uncertainty of life.

#2: Meditation & Prayer

Extensive research and data has proved the benefit of meditation

The ultimate tool for coping with stress

Improving human potential.

Fostering creativity

#3: Get literate on Media and Digital technology.

We can have two reactions toward digital technologyBan it Then your kids complainNeglect it Then you will complain about itThe answer is neither; it is participateParticipation will allow you influence your childCreate a “media diet” for your childEg: Duration: 1 hour of screen time per day Programming: Choose the programs mutually.

#3: Get literate on Media and tech.

Choose your programs “Having a TV does not make one a genius”

“But a curious and creative person can use TV to learn and grow”

Leverage games and TV as a learning platform“It is a vehicle that help you or harm you. It is your choice.”

Learn how to use technology to foster creativity and learning

#4 Build on strengths or passion

•Children need to know first hand what it takes to win.

•Once they taste winning they know not to settle for less

•Kids will rely on their past successes to feel strong during challenging times and cope better.

#4 Build on strengths or passion

Mastery will generate confidence and self assurance

What conversation are you having to develop this? Be mindful of the indirect messaging in your talks.

Set your child's aspirations optimally. Do not setup your child to fail with an over-aggressive target

Pick goals that align closer to their strengths and interests.

#5: Invest in meta-skills

The ability to learn, itself is the master skill Information retention and recall is obsolete Reinforcing school learning is an efficient way to

nurture the learning ability in our children. It is also the cheapest , in terms of our time and

energy for us as parents. The learning environment must continue at home.

#5: Invest in meta-skills

Ability to think (thinking skills) Critical thinking Lateral thinking Balance humility an obedience with independent thinking

and creativity. This will give rise to validated learning.

Change

“The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change.”

Carl Rogers

#6 Focus on applying learning and decisions making

Inculcate the habit in children to apply their learning to real life; however simple

Encourage them to make decisions and understand the consequences of their decisions.

The home is the best laboratory of life.

#6 Focus on applying learning and decisions making

“the most powerful one to predict the sophistication of

brain development at the age of 5 was not the children's abilities, but the family's socio-economic status.

So we all know -- that's very surprising; socioeconomic status is an opportunity, it's a proxy for the opportunities to learn.”

THE "BIG BANG" IN LEARNING:

BRAIN CHANGES AND CHILDHOOD LEARNING

Elevate the “socio-economic status” by increasing the opportunities for learning for your child.

#6 Focus on applying learning and decisions making

Encourage them to form a “sankalp” What is “sankalp”? A. To make a strong inner commitment to

accomplish a particular task/goal based on your “sva-bhav” and “sva-buddhi”

Developing vision & self direction will set the trajectory for you child more than anything else

#7 Develop a strong identity

● Build their integrity, not ego or arrogance

● Build their values and beliefs through conversations, story telling and anecdotes

● Be a paragon, lead by example

● They must be clear what they stand for.

#7 Develop a strong identityMake them aware of our Cultural heritage: leaders, champions

Spiritual heritage:Sages, philosophers

Scientific heritage:Scientists , pioneers

Pride in our nation and itsheritage, based on facts and understanding.

Recap

#1: Create space for play and free time

#2: Meditate & Pray

#3: Get literate on Media and Digital Tech.

#4: Build on strengths or passion

#5: Invest in meta-skills.

#6: Apply learning and decision making

#7: Nurture a strong identity.

Questions ?

Epilogue

We as parents are like gardeners

our job is to plant the seeds and keep the weeds out.

Stay tuned for more updates my website:

http://www.smartsanskar.com

Looking forward to you participation.