I’m staying in Lahore, Pakistan. I met the 14 y/o son of friend’s servant. The story is that he dropped out of school about 6 years ago, and wants to go back. He’ll be starting off with basic reading, writing, and arithmetic. I was thinking I might buy him a small gift to encourage his learning. Any ideas on what could make a meaningful, appropriate gesture to a kid in this situation? I’ve never met a 14 y/o who couldn’t read well, and I have not idea what to offer.
Unsure if this would even be possible. Perhaps the following would be more effective/motivational.
Figure out whatever it is that the boy likes, whether is in relation to learning/reading or not, and give him a toy in that subject. However, when you give him that gift, tell him something along the lines of this: "What you are about to do, going back to school, learning something new, is _the most important thing_ you could do for yourself. Endeavoring to become the best possible version of yourself is the most noble pursuit for any person. I could have given you an education gift, something symbolizing the path upon which you are currently set. However, I am gifting you something of which I am told you are currently interested, because what we are celebrating here today is you, not just the path upon which you are currently progressing. We are celebrating 'you', and all of that you may become."
Anyway - just a thought, I am still learning how to motivate my own kids and have found similar approaches unexpectedly successful.
Figure out whatever it is that the boy likes, whether is in relation to learning/reading or not, and give him a toy in that subject. However, when you give him that gift, tell him something along the lines of this: "What you are about to do, going back to school, learning something new, is _the most important thing_ you could do for yourself. Endeavoring to become the best possible version of yourself is the most noble pursuit for any person. I could have given you an education gift, something symbolizing the path upon which you are currently set. However, I am gifting you something of which I am told you are currently interested, because what we are celebrating here today is you, not just the path upon which you are currently progressing. We are celebrating 'you', and all of that you may become."
Anyway - just a thought, I am still learning how to motivate my own kids and have found similar approaches unexpectedly successful.
{edited obvious typos}