The Junior Journal Volume VII Monthly E Newsletter for Salwan Junior School (November 2025)

Importance of kindness

"A little kindness can make a big difference" Every human being needs kindness in their lives. When we are kind to others or even to ourselves, it helps us feel happier and healthier. Scientists say that kindness reduces stress and increases our “feel-good” hormones like serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin. These are the chemicals in our body that make us calm and cheerful. Kindness can even help boost our immune system and lower our blood pressure. Isn’t that amazing? The best part is that it isn’t difficult to be kind.

As the Dalai Lama said, “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” We can show kindness anywhere, at home, in school or even on the playground. For example, helping a friend with classwork, sharing our things or listening when someone needs to be heard are simple but powerful acts of kindness. Kindness also makes our world, our society, and our school a better and happier place. When students treat each other with care and respect, everyone feels safe and included. There are fewer fights, more smiles and stronger friendships. Kindness spreads quickly too. When someone is kind to us, we usually feel inspired to be kind to others. Wondering how to show kindness to others today? We can start with a smile! Not just any smile, but a genuine, selfless smile, the kind of smile we give when we see a cute baby. A warm smile can brighten someone’s day instantly. In a world that sometimes feels busy and stressful, kindness is like a gentle light that makes everything better. It helps others feel valued and also makes us feel good inside. So let us all choose kindness every single day and make the world a brighter place.

Article by- Mr. Kamal Sharma Parent of Yuvir Sharma- II A and Avya Sharma- V B

Building Resilience through everyday challenges

“Strength doesn’t come from what you can do; it comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t.”

Dear Students, Parents and Teachers, Life presents us with many challenges—some expected, some surprising—and the way we respond to them shapes who we become. One of the most important life skills we can develop is resilience. Resilience means the ability to recover, adapt, and stay strong when we face difficulties. For young children in a primary school, resilience helps them handle mistakes, adapt well to the changes, sail through emotional ups and downs, and learn new experiences with confidence. For parents and teachers, it is a mindset that guides how we support our children and how we manage our own responsibilities.

Why Is Resilience Important?

• For students, resilience builds courage, problem-solving ability, independence and emotional strength. It helps them understand that challenges are stepping

stones, not roadblocks.

• For parents, resilience allows them to guide their children calmly, avoid stress overload, and model a healthy response to difficulties.
• For teachers, resilience strengthens classroom management, supports positive

relationships with students, and encourages a growth-oriented learning environment. Together, students, parents, and teachers can create a circle of support where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities and challenges help everyone grow stronger. For Students: Challenges are a part of life, and they can be big or small. Maybe you didn't do well in a test, or you're having trouble making new friends. Perhaps you're struggling with a tricky math problem or feeling overwhelmed with homework. Whatever the challenge is, it's an opportunity to grow and learn.

Here are a few strategies to build resilience:

• Stay Positive: When faced with a challenge, try to look at the brighter side. Think

about what you can learn from the situation. When things don’t go the way you expected—like performing poorly in a test or forgetting your homework—it’s easy to feel upset. Staying positive doesn’t mean ignoring the problem; it means choosing to look at the situation with hope and curiosity. Example: Instead of thinking “I can’t do this,” try thinking “I’ll get better if I practice.” A positive attitude will help you to calm down, look for solutions, and learn from your mistakes.

• Face Your Fears: Don't run away from challenges. Instead, confront them head-

on. You'll be surprised at how much stronger you'll feel. Everyone feels scared or nervous sometimes—maybe while answering questions in class, meeting new friends, or trying something new. But running away from these moments makes fears grow bigger. Facing your fears, even in small steps, helps you discover your own courage. Example: If speaking in front of the class feels scary, try reading just one line. Next time, read two lines. Every step forward makes will make you feel stronger and more confident.

• Learn from Others: Children don’t have to solve everything alone. Talk to your

friends, family, or teachers about your challenges. They might have some great advice or have faced similar struggles themselves. They have their own experiences and talking to someone can help you to: Understand better ways to handle a problem Feel supported emotionally Learn that others have faced similar struggles This builds a sense of connection and reduces feelings of stress or frustration.

• Believe in Yourself: Trust that you can overcome any obstacle. You've overcome

challenges before, and you can do it again. Self-belief is the foundation of resilience. When you remember your past achievements —like learning to ride a cycle, finishing a tough project, or improving in class—you realize that you can overcome challenges. Believing in yourself means trusting that with effort, patience, and practice, you can handle difficult situations and achieve your goals. For Parents: As a parent, it's natural to want the best for your child. However, it's essential to recognize that challenges are an opportunity for growth and learning. Parents must help, guide and motivate their children to become emotionally strong and act responsibly. Resilience-building starts at home.

Here are a few strategies to build resilience in yourself and your child:

• Let Go off Unrealistic Expectations: Recognize that your child is unique and

may not excel in everything. Encourage them to try their best, but avoid putting too much pressure on them. When parents accept their child’s individuality, the child feels understood, safe, and free to explore without fear of disappointing anyone.  Focus on Effort, Not Outcome: Praise your child's effort and progress, not just their grades or achievements. A child who is praised for effort grows up believing that improvement comes with practice. Saying “I am proud of how hard you tried” motivates children more than “Why didn’t you score full marks?” This teaches them that mistakes are not failures—they are steps towards learning.

• Encourage Independence: Give your child space to make decisions and learn

from their mistakes. Resilience grows when children are allowed to solve problems on their own. This includes: Choosing their own clothes Packing their school bag Attempting homework before seeking help Resolving minor conflicts among friends

When children get a chance to think for themselves, they learn responsibility,

decision making, and confidence.

• Practice Self-Care: Take care of your own physical and emotional well-being. A

resilient parent is better equipped to support their child. Children learn from what parents do, not just what they say. A tired, overwhelmed parent finds it difficult to stay patient or calm during challenges. Self-care—resting, exercising, pursuing hobbies, and taking emotional breaks—helps parents remain resilient. A calm parent creates a calm environment for the child. For Teachers: As teachers, we play a vital role in shaping young minds and building resilience. Teachers spend many hours each day with students, making them powerful role models for emotional strength and problem – solving. A classroom that encourages exploration and embraces mistakes nurtures resilience in every child. Here are a few strategies to support your students and their parents:

• Create a Supportive Environment: Foster a growth mindset in your classroom,

encouraging students to take risks and learn from their mistakes. A growth mindset classroom teaches students that intelligence and skills develop through practice. When teachers encourage participation, allow mistakes, and focus on improvement, students feel safe taking risks.

• Communicate Effectively: Keep parents informed about their child's progress

and challenges, and work together to find solutions. Sharing updates about a child’s strengths, struggles, and progress helps parents understand how to support learning at home.

Model Resilience:

Share your own experiences and strategies for building resilience with your students and colleagues. Teachers can share simple stories such as: A time they found a concept difficult to learn How they overcame nervousness while speaking in public How they solved a classroom challenge When students see teachers handle difficulties calmly and confidently, they learn to do the same.

• Celebrate Progress: Recognize and celebrate students' progress and

achievements, no matter how small. Acknowledging small achievements - like improvement in handwriting, completing classwork independently, or showing kindness - encourages students to continue trying. Celebration does not always mean rewards; sometimes a smile, a positive note, or a clap is enough to reinforce their positive efforts. By working together, we can build resilience in ourselves, our children, and our students.

Let's focus on growth, learning, and progress, rather than perfection. When students, parents, and teachers work together, resilience becomes a shared strength across the school community. Instead of striving for perfection, focusing on growth, learning, and steady progress will help our children become confident, adaptable and emotionally healthy individuals.

Article by- Ms. Gunjan Bhatiya Lead educator at SJS

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