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Encouraging Teamwork in Schools: A Key to Achieving Both Short-Term and Long-Term Goals

Ms. Niru Agarwal, Managing Trustee, Greenwood High International School

Teamwork and collaboration have always been crucial to achieve the best results and greater productivity and while teamwork is vital in the corporate world, it matters even at the micro level of schools, where students need to work together to understand new concepts of learning, studying and realizing the best outcomes. Teamwork not only enhances academic performance but also helps students develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationships, fostering cooperation, camaraderie, and emotional well-being. The benefits of teamwork extend beyond academics, influencing various aspects of life, including sports, community activities, and personal interactions and by combining individual strengths, teamwork creates a synergy leading to outcomes better than those arising out of working in silos.

The fundamentals of collaboration

Teamwork is a collaborative effort of a group to achieve a common goal or complete a task effectively and efficiently. While there are many elements that characterize teamwork, it is important that teams have a clear and common goal that students should work towards and should have respect for each other and their ideas, contributions, and differences. Each member should also be provided with responsibility and a defined role to fulfill the overall objectives of the team. Significantly, trust is the basic foundation of effective teamwork to execute commitments, and each member must be accountable for their contribution and take onus to achieve overall success.

The multiple aspects of effective teamwork

  •  Transparent and honest communication helps avoid misunderstanding of information exchange and perceptions among team members as even an iota of mistrust may result in breakdown of communication. Apart from the trust factor, clarity in roles gives the team leads on the methods to be adopted to achieve a common goal.
  • Effective leadership is also a significant element of teamwork as it fosters guidance, support, and motivation and a team with diverse skills enables members and leaders to approach problems from different perspectives and craft innovative solutions. Mutual respect amongst the team and inclusivity are fundamental to creating a positive team environment where every member feels appreciated and heard. When team members acknowledge and value diverse opinions and contributions, it fosters collaboration and establishes an inclusive culture that enhances productivity.
  • Teams should also be flexible and adaptive to changes and updates to reach the common goal and should have the ability to manage, negotiate, and resolve conflicts in an articulate manner to maintain harmony. A sense of commitment to a plan developed by the team and leadership is essential to reach the common destination. It is important to have ongoing feedback mechanisms within a team to ensure alignment of thoughts, facilitating continuous improvement throughout a project. Constructive and open feedback not only sharpens individual performance but also propels the team toward its goals with increased accuracy.
  • Recognizing and celebrating small victories is also crucial in a team setting. Acknowledging and rewarding achievements, regardless of their scale, elevates morale and inspires team members to pursue the final objective with renewed enthusiasm.

The goal of positive outcomes

Synergy in a team divides tasks among members, allowing each to work more quickly and efficiently by leveraging their strengths and a team with diverse skills and backgrounds can adopt a wide range of methods to implement plans and come up with solutions that are new and evolving. Working in a team enhances communication skills, fosters transparent discussions, and promotes personal and professional growth. Sharing workload and responsibilities reduces stress and prevents burnout as a collaborative spirit can also help each team member leverage experience and avoid mistakes. Teamwork also boosts morale and motivation among students and leads to higher productivity and achievement of goals.

Schools must encourage teamwork among students with both immediate and long-term goals in mind. Learning to collaborate at a young age helps students carry this value, skill, and perspective into college, university, and their eventual work settings. Experts, researchers, and philosophers have long espoused the benefits of teamwork and collaboration for harmony in educational, familial, and economic contexts. Sociologists warn that without this focus, society risks anomie or normlessness, leading to instability and disruption. Therefore, it is imperative that educational administrators make it a goal for teachers, parents and adults in general to foster the value of teamwork and collaboration among young children. By doing so, schools can lay the foundation for a more cooperative, harmonious, and successful future for their students.

Raising Awareness About ADHD among Children in India

by Dr. Gowri Ravi Chinthalapalli, Consultant – Child Development, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects both children and adults. Around 7% of school-age children in India suffer from ADHD, one of childhood’s most prevalent neurodevelopmental diseases. Although it can affect anyone, boys are more likely to experience it than girls.

Diagnosis & Symptoms

  • A trained health expert, such as a doctor in the field of developmental medicine, psychologist or psychiatrist, diagnoses ADHD. Standardized tests, rating scales, and clinical interviews are frequently used in the diagnosis procedure. Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are the three main signs and symptoms of ADHD.
  • Inattentiveness: Children with ADHD may have trouble focusing on specifics, make thoughtless errors in their work or other activities, and act as though they are not listening when spoken to directly. Also, they could struggle to start and finish jobs, organise their work, and carry out directions.
  • Hyperactivity: Children with ADHD may be fidgety and restless, find it difficult to stay still, and constantly be on the go. Moreover, they may talk too much, run or climb too much, and have trouble playing quietly.
  • Impulsivity: Youngsters who have ADHD may behave impulsively, have trouble waiting their turn, and interrupt others. Moreover, they could struggle to regulate their emotions and frequently lose their temper.

Myths vs. Facts

There are numerous widespread misconceptions and preconceptions about ADHD. The most typical ones are shown below, along with supporting facts:

  •  Myth: Just a behaviour issue causes ADHD.
  • Fact: ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, meaning that it results from variations in the brain functioning.
  •  Myth: ADHD patients have trouble focusing on anything.
  •  Fact: Children with ADHD can focus on things that interest them, but they may find it difficult to     pay attention to things that are dull or difficult.
  •  Myth: ADHD will eventually go away in kids.
  •  Fact : Indeed, ADHD requires lifelong therapy, but it is manageable.

Impact on Daily Life

  • Academics: Children with ADHD may have trouble focusing in class, finishing their work, and completing assignments. Also, they can be more likely to experience behavioural issues at school.
  • Social interactions: Children with ADHD may struggle to make and maintain friendships. They could also be more prone to interpersonal disputes.
  • General health: Children with ADHD may struggle with despair, anxiety, and low self-esteem. They might also be more inclined to indulge in harmful activities like drug usage.
  • Coexisting Conditions : ADHD frequently coexists with other illnesses such autism spectrum disorder, learning impairments, anxiety, and depression. To maximise a child’s overall growth and wellbeing, it is crucial to recognise and address any coexisting illnesses.

Treatment Options

  • Therapies: Counselling can assist kids with ADHD in developing coping mechanisms, behaviour management, and social skills.
  • Medicine: Medication can aid with impulse control, attentiveness, and focus.
  • Lifestyle adjustments: Making lifestyle adjustments like exercising frequently, eating well, and getting adequate sleep can also help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD. Adhering to screentime guidelines is also important to manage behaviours.

Parenting and Family

Although raising a child with ADHD might be difficult, it’s vital to keep in mind that you’re not doing it alone. These are some pointers for raising an ADHD child:

  • Be upbeat and motivating: Negative feedback is frequently experienced by children with ADHD. It’s critical to concentrate on their abilities and successes.
  • Provide structure and routine: An atmosphere that is predictable and structured is beneficial for kids with ADHD. Set up consistent schedules for your meals, bedtime, and schoolwork.
  • Divide tasks into manageable chunks: Complex tasks may be challenging for kids with ADHD. Tasks should be broken down into smaller, easier to handle phases.
  • Provide regular breaks because children with ADHD may struggle to remain still for extended periods of time. Give them frequent breaks so they may stretch their legs and let off some steam.

Neurodiversity

The idea of neurodiversity holds that each brain is unique and that there is no such thing as a “normal” brain. The neurodiversity movement promotes the inclusion and acceptance of individuals with all brain types, including those with ADHD. It’s critical to recognise each person with ADHD for their specific qualities. Kids with ADHD are frequently imaginative, active, and eager. They might also possess a strong sense of compassion and fairness.