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Udupi: Children never demand toys or gadgets on their own; it is parents who give them toys, seat them in front of the television, or hand over mobile phones so they remain occupied and do not disturb adults at work. When children begin preferring lifeless objects over people, parents then complain that their children do not mingle with others and are always glued to screens. “So who is really at fault?” asked noted educationist Dr Gururaj Karjagi.

He raised this thought-provoking question while addressing teachers and parents during separate interaction sessions held at the IYC auditorium in Udupi on Sunday. The programme was organised alongside the release of his autobiographical work Sakshi and the book Kalisu Guruve Kalisu by psychiatrist Dr Virupaksha Devaramane.

Dr Karjagi said that as children develop greater attachment to non-living objects, their interaction with people reduces. “Earlier, families looked forward to attending weddings. Today, even if there are many people around, children get bored within two minutes and prefer to sit at home watching television or using mobile phones,” he explained.

Psychiatrist Dr Virupaksha Devaramane, art patron Murali Kadekar, DIET principal Dr Ashok Kamath and others were present. More than 500 teachers and parents participated in the programme.

Dr Karjagi’s advice to parents

Do not buy everything for children just because you did not have it during your childhood.
Love children until the age of five, and teach discipline between the ages of five and ten.
Punish the mistake, not the child. Scold them when they do wrong and praise them when they do right.
Fix television time and mobile phone time, and ensure children learn to switch them off on their own.
Avoid speaking negatively about neighbours or relatives in front of children; speak well of others.
Fix family time. Sit together, talk, sing, tell stories and dance as a family.
Teaching values alone is not enough; practise them yourself so children learn by observing you.
Remember, children do not belong to you; you are only their guardians. Love them without expectations.

Dr Karjagi’s advice to teachers:

Never label a child as “dull”; there is no such thing as a dull person in the world.
Give children opportunities to talk about positive things they observe.
Today, children do not need information alone; every lesson should include a value.
Children listen more to teachers; guide them on how to behave at home as well.
Teachers who only teach lessons are not remembered for long; those who teach values are never forgotten.
Negativity exists in the world, but do not expose children to it.
It is not enough to be a good teacher; you must also be a good human being, as children imitate you.
Teach children patience, and guide them to worship their own god while respecting other beliefs.