Society

To let children be loved and spread love.

Thanh Quynh • June 1, 2025 08:45

In modern society, building a safe, friendly, and child-centered environment is not only the responsibility of the education sector but also a shared responsibility of families and society as a whole. When children are listened to, respected, and loved, they will develop comprehensively both physically and mentally. From that foundation, children will learn to love their families, respect their teachers, cherish the traditional cultural values ​​of the nation, and become useful citizens for the country.

On the occasion of International Children's Day (June 1st), Nghe An Newspaper had a conversation with teacher Bien Ngoc Khanh - Head Teacher in charge of the Youth Union at Vinh Tan Primary School (Vinh City), member of the Provincial Youth Union Council, and head of the Nghe Tinh folk singing club for students in the school.

PV: Many people still observe that, in modern society, children are more materially well-provided for but also more vulnerable emotionally. As someone who has been involved in youth group activities and primary school education for many years, do you agree with this assessment?

Teacher Bien Ngoc Khanh:I completely agree with that statement. It's safe to say that children today live in much better material conditions than before. They receive an education in spacious, modern environments, and most of them have everything they need materially – from nice clothes and modern toys to advanced technology.

But in some ways, they lack the space to be heard, the time to be understood, and genuine emotional connections with parents, teachers, and friends. This creates a paradox: they have more, but are more prone to loneliness and vulnerability.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 10-20% of adolescents experience at least one mental disorder, with depression being the most common. In Vietnam, the estimated rate of depression among children is around 5-8%. This figure reflects a worrying reality regarding the mental health of children and adolescents in the context of modern society.

I've heard some of my students confide that, despite growing up in well-off families with parents who are very attentive to their studies, they lack the time to listen to their feelings. They are expected to do a lot, but rarely asked, "Are you happy today?" or simply, "Do you need any help from your parents?". Gradually, they become withdrawn, reluctant to share, and sensitive to any feedback. I believe that a lack of material comforts is not as harmful as a child's lack of connection and timely sharing.

Another factor that cannot be overlooked is the increasingly evident influence of technology on children's mental well-being. It can be said that technology itself is not bad; in fact, if used correctly, it is a very useful tool. However, many children are becoming dependent on the virtual world, leading to reduced real-world connection and increased susceptibility to negative influences from online interactions.

Therefore, the education of children's spiritual lives today needs to be given due attention. Only when children feel loved in the right way will they be strong, confident, and able to spread love back to their family, friends, hometown, and life in general.

Interviewer: You assert that children need adequate attention, so what exactly constitutes "adequate attention"?

Teacher Bien Ngoc KhanhIn my opinion, "appropriateness" is not just about sufficient quantity, but also about the right approach and its origin from stakeholders who play a crucial role in children's lives. In the current context, we cannot care for children simply by providing more material things, but must focus on deeper needs – namely, age-appropriate psychological needs, understanding, genuine affection, and true love.

To achieve this, close cooperation is needed between families, schools, teachers, and the community. For teachers, "the right amount" is not just about imparting knowledge, but also about teaching with heart: patiently listening, being tolerant of mistakes, and helping students believe in their own worth. For schools, "the right amount" means building a friendly learning environment where students can be themselves, are encouraged to be creative, and where mistakes are not seen as failures.

The current education sector is pursuing a "student-centered" approach, aiming to create an ideal learning environment that fosters the holistic development of students and improves the quality of education. This approach is reflected in many aspects: from curriculum and teaching method innovation to emphasizing the roles of teachers, families, and society in supporting students on their learning and growth journey.

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Properly caring for children means that each adult puts themselves in the child's shoes, to understand what they need, what they fear, and what they expect.

Then, love will no longer be a theory, but a practical action, every day, in every small thing.

Teacher Bien Ngoc Khanh

For families, proper care goes beyond simply providing for their children's material needs; it also involves understanding their moods, interests, emotions, and social relationships. Parents need to be companions, rather than always maintaining a superior position. Sometimes, just 15 minutes spent with a child each evening – reading together, listening to their stories – is worth far more than expensive gifts.

For society, proper attention means creating healthy living spaces for children – from community playgrounds and public libraries to proactively protecting them from the risk of early exposure to harmful content online.

PV: From another perspective, how can we ensure that children not only learn to receive love, but also appreciate and be grateful for the care of others, spreading that love through concrete and practical actions in their daily lives?

Teacher Bien Ngoc Khanh:First and foremost, we need to build an educational environment imbued with love and exemplary behavior from the adults around us. Children learn a great deal through observation, so parents, teachers, and family members need to be living examples of love, sharing, and gratitude – demonstrated through small actions in their daily lives.

In addition, life skills education is essential, helping children understand that love is not just an emotion, but needs to be expressed through concrete actions: helping others, sharing with friends, and being responsible for themselves and the community.

Furthermore, encouraging children to participate in social and volunteer activities from a young age will help them realize that love needs to be spread through practical actions. From there, children will gradually develop positive habits and learn to appreciate what they have. When children are grateful and willing to contribute to the community, it forms a solid foundation for their holistic character development and for them to become responsible citizens in the future.

As a member of the Provincial Youth Council, I have observed that schools throughout the province are increasingly engaging in practical activities to instill in children a sense of love, awareness, and responsibility towards the community.

These values ​​are nurtured through meaningful programs such as commemorative activities on major national holidays of historical and cultural significance, including the Day of War Invalids and Martyrs (July 27), the Day of Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30), and the birthdays and death anniversaries of President Ho Chi Minh. Simultaneously, practical activities are organized, such as visiting historical sites, visiting families of war invalids and martyrs, participating in the "Gratitude and Repayment" movement, organizing extracurricular activities, interacting with historical witnesses, and holding talks on the theme of gratitude. These occasions not only provide opportunities for students to review traditions and remember the great contributions of previous generations, but also help them deeply understand the value of freedom and peace and appreciate the good things in life today.

In parallel, the school closely collaborates with youth teams, groups, and clubs to organize numerous programs to support disadvantaged students, award scholarships, and equip them with essential knowledge and life skills to confidently thrive in life. These activities have helped empower students from difficult circumstances and created an environment for all students to cultivate qualities of sharing, empathy, and social responsibility in a practical and effective way.

PV:It is known that the teacher has dedicated over 10 years to maintaining the Nghe Tinh folk singing club for students. According to him, what values ​​does incorporating folk songs into extracurricular educational activities bring to students in terms of character development and fostering love for their homeland and national culture in the current era?

Teacher Bien Ngoc Khanh:Incorporating folk songs and melodies into extracurricular activities is a gentle yet lasting educational approach. Children are exposed to traditional cultural values ​​through the lyrics and melodies, and through lessons about loyalty, filial piety, and community spirit. Participating in singing, performing, and learning about the history and origins of each melody not only helps them understand but also feel proud that their homeland possesses a UNESCO-recognized heritage. These experiences contribute to character development, cultivate refined social skills, and foster pride in their national cultural heritage.

What makes me extremely happy is that many students from this club have shone and proven their worth. These include Le Thi Tra My (born 2007, Vinh My – Vinh Tan ward), who won the A Prize in the "Singing Contest" at the city level in 2014 with her performance of the Xam Nghe song; and Nguyen Thi Le Na (Nam Cat – Nam Dan), who won the Promising Talent award at the provincial level in 2017.

Recently, many students such as Le Sy Luan, Bach Khanh Linh, Nguyen Tra My, Nguyen Khanh Vy... also won the Provincial-level Promising Talent Award in 2023 with folk song performances about President Ho Chi Minh and feelings of family and homeland. These achievements are not only a reward for individual efforts, but also a vivid testament to the enduring vitality and educational value of folk songs in schools.

It can be affirmed that, in the age of technology, when many children are easily drawn into the virtual world, folk songs are the thread that keeps them connected to what is authentic, familiar, and rich in humanistic values. I believe that nurturing love for one's homeland and national culture must begin with such simple and natural things. And folk songs – with all their simplicity and profoundness – are one of the silent but persistent "teachers" in the journey of educating the souls of today's young generation.

PV: Thank you for the conversation!

Thanh Quynh