I CANNOT agree more with the views expressed in the letter, “Discipline = Rod, love and patience” (my paper, March 10).

Both educators and parents are equally important in nurturing children during their formative years.

A child deprived of parental love and understanding may feel that everyone is against him.

He tries desperately to defend himself and may end up being maladjusted, turning to anti-social behaviour.

Responsible parents should not allow their children to develop the habit of being defiant.

If you want your child to do well in life, you must first believe that he can succeed with proper guidance.

The young also need a lot of encouragement from their teachers.

Lashing out at a student so as to goad him to perform better, pointing out repeatedly that he is hopeless, and subjecting him to constant scolding and threats may drive him to take the first step along the road to delinquency.

Effective teachers are those who are able to notice and appreciate their students’ improvement in grades – albeit even by a few marks.

Students appreciated by others will feel useful and find that their studies are worth pursuing.

Nothing makes children more miserable than having parents and teachers who never appreciate their efforts and who never show understanding and sympathy.

It is important for children, especially the ones who are not so bright, to develop a sense of security and self-confidence.

This will help them adjust as they grow up and to cope with the many challenges along the way.

Mr Jeffrey Law Lee Beng

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