The Importance of Shared Experiences Between Parents and Children
Hello everyone. I'm Director Guo Yao Tan. We believe strongly in the power of shared experiences, which is why we invite parents to bring their children to our theater with free tickets.
The Power of a Shared Moment
We encourage parents to watch plays with their children because these moments create lasting memories. Our photographer captured a beautiful scene at the theater: a child watching the play, laughing at a funny moment with a dog on stage, and then immediately turning to share that joy with his mother.
The child turns to his mother to share the funny scene, exclaiming, "Mom, did you see that?" The mother responds with a smile, acknowledging, "Yes, I also saw it. It's really funny." In that specific moment and space, both child and mother create a common memory.
It's this feeling, this shared experience, that highlights the importance of parents and children watching plays together. The play itself isn't necessarily the defining factor. The crucial element is experiencing it together, in the same venue, at the same time, creating shared memories within the theater.
Why Live Theater Matters
This is also the reason we don't record our plays and put them online. We aren't against free access to our performances, as our theater is free from the beginning. Our main focus is to ensure that this performance becomes a special family event, an eternal memory between parent and child.
Imagine a child reminiscing about their childhood, wanting to share a memory with their parent, only to realize the parent wasn't there. That would be a heartbreaking and regrettable situation.
The Fleeting Nature of Childhood
Childhood passes quickly. The time when children want or allow us to be involved in their lives is limited. Between work, school, tutoring, and daily routines, opportunities for genuine emotional connection are scarce.
Many parents find themselves sending their children to grandparents or school early in the morning due to their busy schedules. Summer vacations, instead of being a joyful reunion, can feel overwhelming.
It's vital to make the most of the time when children are young, particularly during important developmental stages (e.g., ages 3, 6, or 12). Spending quality time together, fostering shared experiences, and creating opportunities for connection are crucial.
Overcoming Obstacles to Connection
Many parents are incredibly busy, especially in dual-income households. Before having children, couples should discuss and plan how they can best prioritize time with their child, especially during the first three years, as these are particularly valuable.
Even if time is limited, make the most of the moments you do have. For instance, if a child asks you to play a game, be fully present and engaged.
The Essence of Compassionate Communication
When playing a puzzle with your child, are you truly playing with them? Or are you simply observing while they complete the puzzle alone? Are you discussing colors, shapes, and placement, or are you distracted by your phone?
True connection means interacting with your child in the present moment, being attuned to their thoughts, feelings, and actions. Respond to them with empathy and attention. Even with babies, constant interaction and communication are beneficial for their brain development.
For older children, encourage them to express their feelings, thoughts, and opinions. Engage in conversations during meals, discussing the taste and texture of the food. While reading, discuss the plot, characters, and themes, encouraging children to use their imagination and create their own story endings.
The Long-Term Impact of Connection
Being present and connected is the key to effective communication. In my experience providing counseling to unmarried men, those who are introverted and struggle with social interaction often share a common trait: they rarely shared their emotions as children.
Often, their parents were too busy to listen and respond to their feelings. While physically present, the parents were emotionally unavailable. Raising children is not the same as raising pets. We need to nurture their emotional well-being. Neglecting a child's emotional needs can have lasting, detrimental effects.
Our goal is not to make parents feel guilty or pressured, but to encourage them to be fully present when they have the opportunity to be with their children. Let them experience the value of consistent attention and emotional connection.
A Call to Action: Be Present
In the future, we may discuss the theme of community exchange. Among the cases I encountered, what were their conditions and problems? Let's find out why the parents' compassion and companionship are so important to a child's growth.
The next time you bring your child to our theater, even though you're sitting behind them, please put down your phone and be fully present. Focus on the story together. After the play, discuss the events and characters, creating a shared memory that you both can cherish.
Family relationships thrive on shared emotions. Like a bank account, you must first deposit feelings of love and connection. Then, even without interest, you can withdraw from these savings. It is crucial to invest this emotional time with our children.
The True Value of Life
Finally, consider this question: What is the most valuable thing in life? Is it something you can regain if you lose it? Or is it something gone forever?
You can always earn more money, find a new job, or reschedule a missed event. But childhood, a parent's golden years, or your own health, once lost, may never return.
When you truly understand this, you realize what truly matters. So, please, be with your children. Be fully present, communicate, share your feelings, and listen to theirs. Cherish the limited time you have when they are willing to connect with you. Let's create shared memories and build a foundation of emotional connection that will last a lifetime.
Thank you for watching. See you in the next video. Bye.