Parents Corner

Exposing children to career choices

PW invited parents from Amarjyoti Saraswati International School, Bhavnagar to share their thoughts on how they introduce children to diverse career options “As parents, we carefully observed our children Anisha (class 8) and Ronit (former student of ASIS) from youngest age to identify their interests, strengths and weaknesses in scholastic and non-scholastic activities making mental notes of what our children do best. As much as we have encouraged them to excel academically, we have also ensured they develop the reading habit to learn about the fine arts, music, dance, and experience the team-building spirit of sports and games among other co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. The idea is to help them explore diverse career options.” — Chintan Parekh, businessman (Industrial Jewels) “For 21st century learners, it is imperative to start moving towards your goals from childhood. The academic lessons our son Aviraj (class VI) has learnt from childhood coupled with moral lessons his elders have taught him are the first steps of career building. Choosing a school that provides an enabling environment also plays a significant role. I strongly believe children get a clear understanding of what interests them through participation in diverse scholastic and non-scholastic activities. Therefore, we encourage him to explore all his interests so he can set his goal for a future career.” — Niketa Acharya, assistant teacher, Smt. N.C. Gandhi School, Bhavnagar “As parents our constant endeavour has been to transform our son Saad (class 10) into a responsible adult with a mature outlook. Without being over-indulgent, we have supported his every decision regarding future career options. We have given him the liberty, motivation, and time to discover and pursue his interests and goals as we understood early on that he needed the time and space to discover what he truly wants to pursue. We have educated him that life is about self-discovery and developing new skills and talents” — Dr. S A Chauhan, dental surgeon “As a parent, I believe three key factors shape a child’s growth: parental effort, supportive school, and a nurturing home environment. Choosing the right school for our young son Sakanksh (5) was our first priority. Apart from providing a well-rounded education, his school also focuses on small city tours and career exploration which motivates him to discover his interests. At home, we encourage Sakanksh’s curiosity about various careers by reading aloud from relevant books and watching documentaries together.” — Subhasis Mohanty, senior engineer at Renew Pvt Ltd, Bhavnagar

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Developing the reading habit in children

PW invited parents from Silver Bells Public School, Bhavnagar to share insights on how they encourage their children to develop love for reading “We have invested liberally in a library of best books for our children Shafaq (20), Liza (18) & Liya (18) since their childhood as we have always believed that the right choice of books can stimulate positive thinking. However things have changed since the Covid-19 pandemic. Books are gradually being replaced with audiovisual online content. Although such content may seem more attractive to children, it eliminates the mental process that happens while reading. We do our best to provide supplementary reading material to our children to help widen their perceptions.” — Dr. Firdaus Dekhaiya, associate professor, surgery, Govt Medical College, Bhavnagar “Inculcating the reading habit is not just about opening a book but a world of imagination. With natural inclination of my daughter Srishti (class X) and son Nisarg (class VI) towards audio-video content in this digital era, fostering a love for reading requires deliberate effort. Aware that parents are children’s role models, we periodically invest in age-appropriate books for the children and ourselves, to encourage family reading. Sometimes we set reading goals for them and reward their achievement” — Himachal Mehta, publication business “We believe parents can set the best example for children. Our early morning routine of reading newspapers has inspired my children Priyanshi (class VI) and Pranav (class II) to do likewise. We also visit the neighbourhood library every fortnight helping the kids choose books that match their interests. The idea is to limit their digital screentime by diverting them to the magical world of books. We even dedicate an hour weekly to discuss the storyline of books they are reading.” — Nandan Kumar, banker, State Bank of India. “Inculcating love for reading in our son Rhythm (Jr KG) has not only enhanced his academic performance but also enriched his creative skills. We invested in a wide variety of interactive picture books for him at youngest age. Reading aloud to him to foster a positive association with books and storytelling has been a routine practice in our household. Moreover, his school has also played an important role in providing an enabling reading environment through well-equipped libraries” — Neeraj Bhatt, entrepreneur

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Nurturing committed children

PW invited parents from Mumbai to share their thoughts on how they help their children develop the virtue of commitment “We believe real-life exposure is crucial for my daughter Dia (11) to develop the values of commitment with dedication. During the summer, we enrolled her in a seven-day adventure camp in the Himalayas — her first time away from the family. There she spent a full week on her own learning new things and participating in activities, building new friendships, some with complete strangers. Currently Dia interns at Magstreet Kitchen for a five-day cooking course. She is also quite committed to her school project on entrepreneurship wherein she spends substantial time at our family-run bakery and is exposed to real-life business” — Gauri Devidayal, restaurateur “I genuinely believe in maintaining a well-planned routine — from meals, activities to study times — for my son Kiaan aged eight ensuring we follow it every week through fun activities in the house. For instance, if he does household chores or tries something new for the first time that is usually met with a ‘No’, we give him a small sum of money that he segregates into save, spend and share boxes. What he saves, he can use at a later date, and what he spends, he can use right away, and what he shares is given to a charity of his choice at the end of a few months. Since every facet of this is exciting and involves long-term commitment. It has been a huge learning” — Shouger Doshi Merchant, entrepreuneur “I routinely help my teenage daughter Sameeksha (15) and son Shriyans (12) to draw up a timetable for studies and hobbies. I have enrolled Shriyans in a table tennis class which allows him to maintain regular practice. He also has an allocated time every day after school hours to practice. Sameeksha is mature enough to understand her likes and dislikes; she only needs me to give her small reminders to finish certain activities. She had taken a break from kathak dance classes for her class X exams. But now, without even reminding her, she has restarted her classes and riyaaz” — Natasha Vaidya, teacher in Universal High School, Thane “While my six-year-old twin boys — Ryan and Ethan — may be too young to understand commitment, I believe it’s essential to instill this value at youngest age. So while we have flexible routines — based on their sports and extracurricular activities schedule — we involve them in activities to make them develop responsibility. Like the book library we joined this summer. Every 15 days, we spent hours exchanging books with the expectation that returned books are kept neatly (no dog ears) and read in time to maximise the membership facility” — Rashmi Henriques, homemaker

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Learning life lessons through travel

PW invited parents from the Sarala Birla Academy, Bengaluru to share some life lessons their children learnt on recent family vacations “We all look forward to travelling outdoors especially our son Vedang (class X) who loves some adventure thrown in as well. As serene and peaceful as the Maldives are, it also has many attractions for adventure enthusiasts. The best among water sports was scuba diving. For safety reasons, we were trained a day ahead of the dive. When the day arrived, we experienced mixed emotions of anxiety and happiness. The underwater corals were mesmerising. Relaxation apart, Vedang learnt about his capabilities, sampled local cuisine, made new friends and so much more” — Kavita Katty, pain physician “Our recent family trip to Thailand enriched our lives in unexpected ways. The scenic beauty of Krabi, with its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush landscapes, provided a picturesque backdrop for our excursion. We spent days exploring the breathtaking islands, swimming in azure waters, and marvelling at the unique rock formations. Our son Shubham (class XII) was particularly fascinated by local wildlife and underwater creatures. Beyond the fun and excitement, the trip taught us valuable lessons about the importance of family time. We learned to navigate challenges as a team, reinforcing our family bond” — Savita Melligeri, entrepreneur “Vacationing together helps keep family relationships strong. We feel more connected to each other when we spend undistracted time together. We also believe it helps us to learn and appreciate the world better, by visiting places rather than just reading about them. Last winter, we decided to visit Vietnam. The natural beauty of Vietnam was enticing and my sons Sriyansh (class X) and Tavish (class VII) engaged in some serious hiking in Ninh Binh apart from undertaking other exciting activities” — Sujita Agrawal, homemaker “Our family vacation in Goa was a blend of excitement, adventure, and relaxation. I participated in the Ironman Race, a challenging and exhilarating experience that tested my endurance and determination. Throughout the event, my wife Deepikai and son Dhruv (class VII) cheered me on every step of the way. Deepikai and Dhruv had an amazing time exploring Goa while I was busy with the race. They visited stunning beaches, enjoyed the local cuisine, and immersed themselves in the vibrant culture of the region. Their enthusiasm and energy were infectious, and their support was a constant source of motivation to me” — Arun Rajendran, entrepreneur

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Helping children remain rooted in Indian culture

PW invited parents from Cygnus World School, Vadodara to share their thoughts on how they help their children remain rooted in Indian culture “I encourage my children — Aarushi (class IX) and Aarush (class VII) — to participate in all cultural functions, celebrate festivals in true spirit, and read up on the history and traditions of our culture. From their early years, we have exposed them to Hindustani classical music, art, dance, and local cuisines. Additionally, I share child folklore with them as they serve as a vital link to our cultural roots. Immersing my children in their heritage has taught them to appreciate and preserve their culture for generations to come” — Jamini Ashwin Patel, homemaker “Ours is a joint family of three generations steeped in traditional Gujarati values of entrepreneurship and hospitality. Therefore, it’s imperative for my children — Sara (class IX) and Shaan (class XII) — to understand and value our culture, be it respect for elders to celebrating traditional Gujarati festivals like Navratri and Diwali. We take great pride in celebrating festivals, cooking Gujarati meals and putting up decorations together. We also speak Gujarati at home and encourage our children to do the same.” — Shivani Patel, CEO, Exechon “We strongly believe that culture transmits values and reinforces identities like no other medium. Therefore, I ensure my children — Kanishkaa (class X) and Karan (class V) — are exposed to local food, language, cultural traditions and beliefs. Their biggest advantage is that they live in a joint family surrounded by their grandparents. Together we consume traditional Indian meals, speak the vernacular language, celebrate festivals and show respect towards our elders” — Radha Shah, partner in a chartered accountancy firm “While celebrating Indian festivals, we make it a point to discuss their history and cultural significance with our children — Vishwam (class XII) and Vidit (class VII). Empathy for elders and for the needy is also a basic value I have taught them from youngest age. We also promote Indian sports like kabaddi and archery as they not only ensure physical fitness but improve focus and concentration levels. Moreover, we visit heritage sites showcasing India’s freedom struggle and grand history” — Tejal Bhatt, homemaker Also read: Ensuring children eat healthy meals

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Enhancing family bonding during summer holidays

PW invited parents from Jodhamal Public School, Jammu to share their plans to spend time with their children during the summer holiday “Summer vacations are a delightful opportunity especially for my children — Aadya (class XII) and Aaditya (class VII) — to redeem our time apart as a family. Our family bonds will soon be strengthened amidst the lush green environs of Arunachal Pradesh, where my Army officer husband is posted. He has drawn up a plan to take us through the labyrinthine pathways of the Tawang Valley, experience the mist of the Nuranang Falls, soak in the peaceful environs of the Bomdila and Tawang Monasteries, and marvel at nature in the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary” — Lalimah Sambyal, interior designer “Spending quality time with my children — Nidha (class IV) and Naman (class IV) — has become quite a task especially for working parents. What better time than to make the long summer vacations count. After all, we only get to spend 18 summers with them. This summer, we plan to embark on a road trip in the lap of nature with a host of adventure sports and games to engage in. The children have been kept in complete suspense. The idea is to surprise them. Me and my husband have pledged to keep our phones switched off” — Pooja Kapoor, entrepreneur “How quickly a work week goes by with our children — Samaaira (class VII) and Saishaa (class I) — preoccupied with school and other activities, and us scrambling to meet work schedules. Add to that our frequent travel for work, family time becomes limited and hence extremely precious! This summer, we plan to take the children to explore Jammu and surrounding areas. A visit to Patnitop with the family is also on the agenda” — Ridhima Dewan, marketing manager, Devans Modern Breweries Ltd. “Our daughter Tara (class V) keenly looks forward to the summer with excitement and anticipation to plunge into family games and outdoor activities which not only refreshes our minds but also unwinds our spirits. To detox from technology and devices, we look forward to slowing down in the lap of nature over the weekends. Exploring new places in the city, taking long walks, picnicking, trekking, and fishing, are a few of our favourite activities. Above all, we love to debate on a variety of issues like sports, current affairs, future plans etc” — Dr. Rinky Ahuja, practicing dentist. Also read: Jodhamal Public School student donates to PM Cares Fund from pocket money

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Inculcating healthy eating habits

PW invited parents from Chennai to share their thoughts on how they inculcate healthy eating habits in their children “My children — Abhay (class IX) and Ajay (class IV) — are fortunate to have developed healthy eating habits in early childhood. When my children were at an impressionable age, I engaged in the power of storytelling to explain the benefits of eating healthy. Convincing them about the adverse effects of junk food and their harmful effects was far from difficult. Hot and healthy homemade meals are routine in our household so much so that our children look forward to them. Adding a touch of colour and presenting food differently always helps” — Bhuvaneshwari Prabhahar, software engineer at Viasat India “One way of encouraging my daughter Sai (class I) to eat healthy is by serving her meals creatively. She eats chapati without any fuss when it is served in different geometric forms such as triangles, circles, oval, and square. Additionally, I teach her about the natural ingredients of every meal and how they positively impact her bones, muscles and hair. This approach not only fosters a positive relationship with nutritious food but also educates a child about its contribution to overall well-being” — Latha Sudheer Kumar, homemaker “Regular conversations with my daughter Reya (class IV) about different food groups and their importance in maintaining a balanced diet has helped develop healthy eating habits. Being a positive role model has also been crucial. Incorporating critical nutrients in our meals has become a family habit. I also keep a variety of healthy options available at home and limit the presence of junk food. By creating a healthy eating environment and leading by example, I have set the foundation for lifelong healthy habits in my child” — Hema Dhanraj, yoga trainer “Over the years, I have tried to blend flavour and nourishment into home cooking while providing my children — Shubhansh (class IV) and Tanshika (class I) with the essential nutrients they need for healthy physical growth and development. My patience and persistence have paid off. By exposing my children to a variety of nutritious options early on and by empowering them to make their own nutrition choices, I not only encourage independent behaviour but also instill a positive relationship with wholesome food” — Bhawini Chaturvedi, senior executive, HCL Technologies, Chennai. Also read: Ensuring children eat healthy meals

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Activities enabling family bonding

PW invited parents from Kolkata to share their family bonding activities “Except during exam season, most evenings are dedicated to spending quality time with our children — Om (class IX) and Odrika (class VI) — and sharing our daily life experiences over a delightful dinner. Time permitting, we also watch a movie together on television. Dinner table conversations foster creativity and strengthen our connections, But the rule is to keep our mobile phones on silent mode. Sundays are reserved for casual conversations and for plotting travel escapades” — Arundhati Sen, chief strategy & partnership officer, Garbage Free India “ As the anchor of the Chatterjee family, I am all for bonding over travel and food. With my son Eeshan’s (class XI) knack for art and Tiana’s (class VII) animal obsession, our family vacations are a mix of exploring and devouring. Cooking up a storm together keeps us a tight-knit family, making memories we will cherish forever” — Sharmistha Goswami Chatterjee, freelance journalist “Most Saturday evenings are dedicated to family time. My children — Madhuboni (class VI) and Avinibesh (class III) — look forward to Saturday evening family dinners with their grandparents, the attraction being good food and adda . Moreover, their grandfather loves to keep them entertained with unending stories from his childhood which are both intriguing and inspiring. Storytelling unlimited and umpteen life lessons learnt! Watching a film together also brings our family together” — Debolina Chatterjee, teacher, The Frank Anthony Public School, Kolkata “Our family is as close-knit as it can get with three similar sounding names — Anandamoy, Nandini and Anandini, our 15-year-old daughter. Family holidays are all about exploring remote lesser-known places where we enjoy bird watching, photography, observing rural life and immersing ourselves in nature. Watching old and new films of all languages and genres together, mostly at home has also strengthened the bond between us. A simple joy that brings colour to our evenings is lounging on the bed and playing word games together” — Nandini Dasgupta, teacher, Modern High School for Girls Also read: Activities enabling strong family bonding

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Making summer holidays meaningful

PW invited parents of The Chintels School, Kanpur to share their thoughts on how they plan to make this summer meaningful for their children “After much thought, we have drawn up a summer routine for my son — Raghav (class I) — packed with activities yet ensuring limited digital screen time. The day begins with swimming, a rigorous physical activity, followed by healthy breakfast, prepared together. Post breakfast till lunch is reading time with A Story A Day and some academic reading. Meeting friends and short city tours are planned for the afternoon. Then it’s time to spend with grandparents, praying and meditating together with them. To wrap up, its chess and football classes every evening” — Dr. Swati Chopra, scientist, DRDO “Our goal is to prioritise family bonding through mealtime conversations, game nights, and family trips for creating lasting memories. We believe these activities will provide opportunities to our son Ishaan (class I) for meaningful interaction, laughter, and building bonds that strengthen family ties. Whether it’s cooking, playing board games, or exploring new places together, these shared experiences contribute to a sense of belonging and connection within the family unit” — Priya Kapoor, homemaker “Last winter we planned a family outing to the cities of palaces and forts — Udaipur and Jaipur. This year, we are all set to spend our summer holidays amid the scenic beauty of the North-East — primarily Assam and Meghalaya. By travelling together as a family and exploring new places, we believe our children — Aarika (class I) and Samarth (class VII) — will learn to build stronger relationships, improve communication skills, and learn about the world around us” — Swapna Sagar, entrepreneur. “This summer I intend to enroll my daughter — Myra class (VII) — in a variety of sports and co-curricular activities to ensure her physical and mental growth and high productivity. Our goal is to help develop her public speaking, creative writing, and dancing skills to a level that makes her feel confident and happy. Moreover, I always encourage my daughter to explore new, creative and fun activities in her field of learning to make her summer productive and joyful” — Pragya Rastogi, homemaker

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Building children’s natural talents

PW invited parents of Sat Paul Mittal School, Ludhiana to share their insights on how they identify and nurture the natural talents of their children “Despite being a working parent, I have carefully observed my children — Josya (class VII) and Bhavya (class XII) — in their formative years. Those days, my son loved to build robots with Lego bricks. As he grew older, we encouraged him to learn robotics. Today he is in the India Book of Records and has won many laurels for his school. During my daughter’s play-way school dance performance, I noticed she had amazing talent. Since then, finding the right mentor for her and keeping her engaged with dance and her passion for art and craft has become our agenda.” — Dr Monika Singla, professor of neurology, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana “I believe parents play a critical role in nurturing children’s talents from youngest age. I gave my daughter Krisha (class IV) ample space and liberty to follow her heart. We often think that because we are older, we are more knowledgeable. In the process, we hinder our child’s ability to make decisions. While it’s good to remind children to practice their skills, it works better when children are themselves motivated to work on their skills. In my opinion it is the parent’s role to gently shift responsibility on their children’s shoulders, constantly reminding them that they are more capable than they believe”— Mansi Ghai, community developer, Youth for Global Peace and Transformation “I expose my son Aaryan (class II) to a variety of activities, hobbies and subjects and keenly observe him to identify his aptitudes. Every child is unique and has a unique journey. Giving my son the independence to make decisions and take ownership of his journey is our top priority. One thing that remains constant is my confidence in him. Investing in experiences and exposure to the world plays a very important role. As children learn substantially during travel, I travel with him as much as I can.” — Neha Aggarwal, nutritionist “I observe my children — Ayaan (class VII) and Kyra (class V) — carefully and try to understand what activities excite them and accordingly suggest options. But ultimately it is my children who decide whether they wish to continue their choice of activity long-term or not. Child-led decision making makes it easy for me and my children to maintain continuity in skills development. Though sometimes I have felt my children have the necessary skills to advance in a particular activity, yet they refuse to continue with it, compelling me to devise ways to ensure they retain interest in it. — Dr Manisha Mittal, director, Orison Hospital, Ludhiana

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Helping children remain calm in exams season

PW invited parents of Bal Bharati Public School, GRH Marg, New Delhi to share insights on how they help their children to remain calm in the exams season “Months before the exam season begins, we assist our son Jishney (class IX) in formulating a study plan that allows him enough time for revision, leisure activities and most importantly sleep. As much as we discipline our son to strictly follow the study plan, we also listen to his every concern, encourage him and affirm our belief in his abilities, without being judgemental. That there are more important things to achieve in life than only grades is a dinner table conversation we often have. We also take care to ensure a congenial stress-free environment at home” — Nancy Budhiraja, school teacher “Exam season is a stressful time for parents and children alike. I recall my childhood days when I experienced many anxious moments during the exam season. Therefore, it has always been my endeavour to help my daughter, Prabhnoor Kaur (class XII), to de-stress during study breaks by accompanying her for short walks, and ensuring she eats healthy meals and engages in activities that divert her attention from studies for a while. We also celebrate special moments with an ice cream treat or by watching a movie together” — Manmeet Kaur Pruthi, homemaker “Long hours of study preparation often result in anxiety and monotony. Therefore, to help our daughter Twisha (class XII) to remain cheerful, we ensure all our conversations prior to and during exams are light-hearted and positive. To break the monotony, we encourage Twisha to take frequent breaks and engage in creative doodling, which she loves. We also encourage her to persist with her daily exercise regimen to maintain physical fitness. Moreover, we motivate her to practice sample papers of each subject to give her self-confidence” – Shaveta Oberoi, homemaker “Since the beginning of our teenage daughter, Yuvika’s academic career, we have constantly emphasized that exam grades are not as important as the development of her all-round personality. We have always assured her of our faith in her ability to write exams confidently and fulfill her own expectations. During the exams season, we encourage her to sleep early, take frequent study breaks, and watch TV to relax. We also encourage her to attend practice sessions for sports tournaments, to stay connected to things that make her happy” – Sonia Sehgal, homemaker

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Are examinations necessary?

PW invited parents of Sir Padampat Singhania Education Centre, Kanpur to share their thoughts on whether they believe summative exams are necessary “A child’s true potential cannot be solely defined by her exam scores. Instead, the focus should shift towards cultivating effective learning strategies and fostering adaptability in students. A holistic approach to education is paramount, one that emphasizes not only theoretical knowledge but also practical application and critical thinking skills development. This equips students to become well-rounded individuals capable of thriving in diverse situations and adapting to an ever-changing world.” — Hina Soni, mother of Ahana (class III) “In my opinion, examinations are essential in every child’s learning journey. They serve as a catalyst, teaching him that acquiring knowledge and understanding various aspects of life is paramount for success. Far from being stumbling blocks, exams offer students a valuable opportunity to display their understanding and identify areas for improvement. Exams empower them to take ownership of their learning and actively engage in the process of intensifying their knowledge and developing life skills” — Swati Paliwal, mother of Sarthak (class V) “Examinations empower students to actively engage in the learning process and improve their education trajectory. They provide periodic evaluation of knowledge and understanding of curricular subjects. Students can build on their strengths while identifying areas that require attention/improvement. This self-awareness provides a growth mindset, encouraging students to view challenges as opportunities for learning and growth. The preparation process instills valuable life skills such as time management, critical thinking, and problem-solving” — Shivangini Luthra, mother of Sabhya (class V) “Examinations are important miletones in a student’s academic journey, enabling periodic evaluation of learning capabilities. They assess not only information retention but also the crucial skill of applying knowledge to solve real-life problems. The preparation process for exams develops valuable habits such as self-discipline and formulating study routines, laying the foundation for lifelong learning. The joy of achieving desired results ignites a positive attitude towards learning while also providing feedback on areas that require improvement” — Dr. Shilpa Mishra, mother of Shubh (class V)

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Learning to manage change positively

PW invited parents of Delhi Public School, Mihan and Kamptee Road, Nagpur to share their insights on how they help their children develop a positive mindset towards change “Being in a transferable job has over the years helped my son Shaurya (class IX) become accustomed to changes of city, school, friends and teachers. But when he was much younger, we used to prepare him by explaining to him what was going to change and become different. We used age-appropriate language and provided simple examples. Moreover, we have always spoken of change as synonymous with new learning experiences. Today Shaurya treasures his past experiences and learns from the present” — Ravi Kushwaha, assistant general manager, Nagpur Airport “We have always prioritised nurturing a positive mindset in our children — Vaidehi (class X) and DhirKrishna (class VII). Daily prayers help them connect spiritually and find comfort and strength during difficult times. Surrounding them with positive influences boosts their optimism in accepting inevitable changes in their lives. I also believe that by introducing them to spiritual texts has empowered them to confront challenges with resilience and positivity, benefiting their personal all-round development” — Dr. Gayatri Muthiyan, anatomist, AIIMS Nagpur “My teenage daughter Afsheen (class VIII) is gradually learning to adapt to the times as her life progresses. It is human nature to become attached to people, places and things through this journey but when change is inevitable, it becomes our responsibility as parents to listen to her concerns, comfort her and give her ample time to prepare for impending change. From learning how to walk to learning how to speak with confidence, Afsheen has remained connected with her grandparents, peers and teachers in school to help her navigate through every new experience of life” — Dr Afsana Badar, general practitioner at Mahmood Nursing Home. “Transforming negative experiences into positive learning experiences to move on with our lives has been the best way to ensure our daughter Raisa (class X) learns to emotionally recover from unpleasant life events. To attempt to smooth any change for her by not involving her can only lead to more confusion and a flawed negative memories. Therefore, we involve Raisa in the process to help develop her emotional intelligence, strengthen family bonding and trust, and to handle anxious situations. This gives her confidence and security” — Shafeeq Husain Humza, IT head. Mahdi Bagh Computers Pvt. Ltd

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Introducing children to diverse careers

PW invited parents of NL Dalmia High School, Thane to share their insights on how they introduce a variety of career choices to their children “We are Marwadi Jains with business and trading in our genes. But our son Sanchit (class IX) has always been an inquisitive child with a strong urge to explore new places and things. Psychometric tests apart, we introduced him to friends and family from diverse professions so he is well-informed about available career options. Recently our son participated in a student exchange programme in the Netherlands which clearly enhanced his knowledge about the real world. Living outside his comfort zone boosted his confidence and cleared his doubts about future career pathways” — Rinku Bhandari, homemaker “We have always given our daughter Joshitha (class X) a patient hearing without being judgemental so she can stand by her view- point. Over the years, our daughter has discovered multiple strengths and intelligences within her which have helped her decide her career pathway. We even helped her find mentors in her field of interest. To bridge the generation gap between us, we make it a point to communicate as far as possible and not regard her as an extension of ourselves” — Madhavi Kavali, homemaker “We have come to realise that helping our daughter Srishti (class XI) identify her strengths, weaknesses, interests, and values, can guide her towards a fulfilling career. We have ensured a nurturing learning environment by providing her with ample online resources, encouraging daily family discussions, and participating in school-organized career fairs to learn about diverse pathways, career assessments and aptitude tests. Encouraging a lifelong learning approach, and acknowledging that career aspirations can evolve over time are some important values we have instilled in our daughter” — Dr. Sajita Shukla, medical professional and entrepreneur “We respect and value our son Hanif’s (class XII) understanding of the variety of career options available in the market and encourage him to make a well-informed choice. From his formative years, we have helped him identify his strengths and weaknesses and encouraged him to think of ways and means to build on his strengths. Patience and persistent encouragement have been key elements in this journey” — Nazia, secondary school facilitator, RBK Global School.

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Making weekends meaningful for children

PW invited parents of Navrachana Higher Secondary School, Vadodara to share their insights on how they help make weekends meaningful for their children “It’s a given for my children – Yushika (class X) and Adit (class V) – to spend maximum time with us every weekend. Therefore, we carefully plan small trips close to nature. On home weekends, we encourage our children to help in household chores like cooking, baking, gardening or even decluttering. Inviting our children’s friends over or sending our children to their friends’ places is a routine practice. Children also need to learn to share and develop emotional bonds with individuals outside the family.” — Tejaswini Anurag Gupta, CSR Head, Arkel Electronic India Pvt Ltd “Weekends have always held great value for us as family. Our weekend activities with our daughter Hivah (class XII) have transformed through the years from queuing up for entry into parks and zoos, to cheering for her at football games and athletic tracks to calm walks in the neighbourhood and discussing the hits and misses of the previous week. We also like listening to podcasts of people from diverse professions and their success stories. Moreover we ensure adding a touch of humour in all that we do and set the tone for the following week.” — Dr. Chinar Nitin Patel, Professor, Dept of Anaesthesiology, Parul institute of Medical Sciences, Vadodara “Throughout the week, we are so immersed in our respective work schedules that we are unable to interact with our son Advik (class I) till late evenings. Hence, weekends are the best time to bond and regain energy for the upcoming week. We take long refreshing walks around the neighbourhood. Some weekends, we make dining out plans at fancy restaurants. The idea is to spend quality time with the family. We also ensure our son interacts with other children” — Prof. (Dr.) Vijaykumar Srivastava, Vice Chancellor, MS University of Baroda “Weekends in our second generation fauji family are far from laid back. Our children — Raghav (class VII) and college going daughter Jahnavi — get woken up early by our golden retriever Casper who won’t rest till he is taken for a brisk early morning walk and run in the neighbourhood. The children are then made to either clean their rooms or finish their homework. Dinner at home means cooking lessons for the children who act as assistants to their father/chef. On some weekends we make trips outside the city for the children to cycle, trek, visit historical places, or engage in adventure sports like rock wall climbing which promote love for fitness.” — Wg Cdr Amrita Basudev (Retd). Also read: Re-Evolve: Steer the change TEDx @ Navrachana School, Sama

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Nurturing independent preschoolers

PW invited parents of Gurukul the School, Ghaziabad to share their insights on how they encourage their preschoolers to become independent in action and thinking “We allow our son Shravil (prenursery) to complete simple tasks on his own like brushing his hair or eating meals by himself. To promote independent thinking, we ask him open-ended questions inquiring about his feelings, thoughts, or experiences to improve his conversation skills. We also let him use his imagination while drawing and colouring. If he colours a leaf with a purple crayon, we don’t judge him” — Sneh Khar, Operations manager, Bank of America “I firmly believe the greatest gift for children is ‘roots of responsibility and wings of independence’. I allow my son Prashit (Nursery A) to explore and experience the world on his own as far as possible. I also involve him in making choices in day-to-day life and praise him for his decisions. Practicing daily routines with repeated and predictable tasks helps him complete them independently” Rashi Vashishtha, homemaker “Allowing my son Samyak (kindergarten) to make his own decisions in day to day life was the first big lesson in independent thinking. I also entrust him with simple tasks to promote self-help skills such as changing clothes or tidying his toys. For each good decision taken or task completed, we celebrate his effort to boost his confidence. I also allow him to freely express his feelings and ideas and promote problem-solving through age-appropriate challenges” — Dr. Neha Bansal, practicing doctor “Parenting is exciting as well as challenging. To make our daughter Amaya (kindergarten) self-reliant, we give her small tasks to perform independently and allow her to join us in routine tasks. Acceptance of her mistakes rather than continuous interruptions, letting her choose what to play, what to wear has boosted her self confidence. We add physical and mental activities to her daily routine and encourage her to help others” — Neena Singh, Senior officer, Unichem Laboratories Ltd. Also read: Gurukul The School: Setting new benchmarks of K-12 education excellence

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Inspirational role models for children

PW invited parents of M S Dhoni Global School, Hosur to share the names of role models they recommend to their children “I personally draw immense inspiration from the dedicated life and achievements of India’s ‘rocket woman’ Dr. Ritu Karidhal from small town Lucknow who played a significant role in the country’s critical Mars orbital mission Mangalyaan, Chandrayaan I and Chandrayaan II missions. I invariably mention her name at home so it raises the curiosity of my young daughter R. Jyoshnaa Raju (class II). Today she is her role model” — S. Uma, government high school teacher “The role model I recommend to my young daughter Mehaboob Zahra K (UKG) to is Indian origin CEO of internet behemoth Google, Sundar Pichai. Despite his modest middle-class upbringing, Pichai’s technology prowess, diligence and courage to succeed has taken him a long way. His inspirational journey and multiple achievements show the endless possibilities that life can bring one’s way. I sincerely hope my daughter is motivated enough to pursue excellence in everything she does” — B. Hassin Sharmeli, homemaker “Most role models children look up to are their caregivers. For instance my daughter Hasini Raja (class IX) idolizes her father, as she believes he has all the values that any daughter could dream of in an individual. According to her, he is a hardworking person who despite facing unimaginable obstacles in early life continues to persevere to support the family. Caregivers apart, my daughter is also immensely inspired by the late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, and her school chairman Mr Chandrasekar.” — Dhiravidamani, senior quality analyst, The Lead People “I believe children’s most important role models should be their grandparents. My father-in-law is extremely well-organised and an excellent planner. He is a calm and composed individual, who analyzes the pros and cons of every situation before taking a decision. My mother-in-law is also adept at prioritising tasks. My son KY.Srinav (class VII) looks up to them for inspiration and follows them” — Y. Swetha, homemaker

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Inculcating good hygiene practices in children

PW invited parents of Beansprouts Pre-Primary, Malibu Towne, Gurugram to share how they encourage their preschoolers to follow good hygiene habits “Integrating good hygiene practices into children’s daily routine from youngest age works best. Although my son Arshaveer (class II) has learnt the basics of personal hygiene and cleanliness, I continue to offer him a variety of coloured aromatic soaps to choose from to make washing up seem like a fun activity. I personally maintain high standards of hygiene. Over time, I expect he will learn to do the same” – Yaminii Puri, admission counselor, Modern Montessori International, Gurugram “My first lesson on personal hygiene to my son Shivaay (class II) was to help him understand why good hygiene practices are important. They reduce the risk of illness and disease. I ensure routinely follows good hygiene habits such as washing hands frequently, covering his mouth when coughing or sneezing, bathing regularly, remembering to change his underwear and brushing teeth at least twice a day.” – Bhawana Jain, pre-primary teacher, Beansprouts Pre-Primary “Children learn by observing their parents. Therefore, we must lead by example. With my children — Advika and Akshaj (class II) — we started early on the task of incorporating good hygiene practices into their daily routine and educating them about the impact on their physical and mental well-being. We used fun methods such as providing them colourful soaps, toothbrushes and hand towels supplemented by visual aids to demonstrate the importance of good hygiene. We also take them for regular dental and health check-ups” – Cheshta Nassa, finance executive, Ciena India Pvt. Ltd “Lessons in personal hygiene for children at youngest age goes a long way in building their self-confidence and personality. Bearing this in mind, I ensure my daughter Navika (class II) follows basic hygiene protocols like washing hands with soap for at least 20 seconds before and after meals, after returning from school, and after using the washroom. I also ensure that she starts and ends the day with brushing and flossing her teeth and having a warm water bath”– Kanika Chaddha, Senior Research Fellow, Jamia Hamdard University, Delhi

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Helping children develop patience

PW invited parents of CP Goenka Group Schools, Maharashtra to share their insights on how they help their children develop the virtue of patience “I guide my son Shlok (class V) to reflect on situations that trigger impatience and teach him the value of taking a step back before reacting. Teaching children to set realistic expectations fosters a sense of understanding that all wants and needs are not met instantly. Delaying dessert until after dinner or saving up money for a gift are practices that build resilience against instant gratification. Above all, as parents, we must demonstrate patience through our own actions, showcasing the positive outcomes that emerge from composed behaviour” — Tanushree Ameya Pradhan, energy healer and interspecies communicator “I take extra care to appreciate every effort of my daughter Shagun (class VI) to display patience and composed behaviour which we have taken great pains to teach her over the years. This positive reinforcement boosts her confidence in demonstrating anger management skills. I have taught her some specific anger management techniques including taking a deep breath, calming mind and body, taking a brisk walk, showing respect towards peers and elders, and refraining from holding grudges” — Reedhima Sandeep Sareen, preschool coordinator, C P Goenka International School, Oshiwara, Andheri “In my opinion, the home, school and community environment of my children — Pratham (class IX) and Panav (class VI) — play a critical role in developing their personality and building the virtues of patience and tolerance. Children who don’t feel psychologically safe grow up impatient and intolerant as they are inherently insecure and lack confidence to manage challenges the world throws at them. It is important to raise independent and confident children in safe and nurturing environments to prepare them to face an increasingly volatile world. Love and care go a long way to ensure this happens” — Pooja Agarwal, homemaker “Teaching my daughter Maria (class V) the virtue of patience has taken a toll on my own patience but I must admit it has hugely helped to regulate her emotions and develop empathy and tolerance for others. As much as it is important for her personal growth, it will help her succeed academically and socially. Starting from her early years, we made sure not to give in to her every demand unless genuinely required. We also made it a point to praise her for the patience she displays” — Alifiya Aziz Gandhi, entrepreneur

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Nurturing committed children

PW invited parents of Lodha World School, LSG Palava to share their insights on how they teach their children the value of commitment “I believe respect for commitment and hard work should be part of the daily lexicon of all parents for a child’s healthy emotional development. I adopted this strategy early in motherhood starting with small commitments such as setting up the dinner table or tidying up the bed after waking up in the morning, and gradually increased the difficulty level of my daughters Oindrila (class VIII) and Orion (class VII) as they became more aware and confident. I never fail to acknowledge that they’ve done a great job when they fulfill their commitments. This helps them build their self-esteem” — Sinchita Mukherjee, cyber security consultant, Accenture “Commitment is a big word to digest for my son Riyansh (class IV) Therefore, I use the word “pakka promise” with him. As parents, we teach our children so many things directly and indirectly. Our behaviour and attitude matter a lot as they learn. Children learn by watching parents walk their talk. For instance, my son has indirectly learnt to keep his toys in their proper place every time he finishes playing with them, pack his school bag the night prior to school, complete his homework and simply perform his daily chores on his own without being reminded. If that isn’t commitment what is?” — Sapna Dhool, homemaker “For my daughter Aishani (class VI), I normally assign mini tasks which I ensure get converted into goals by discussing and sharing effective feedback with her. This strategy helps her to fulfil her commitment towards completing her tasks within the stipulated time period. I believe rigorous practice of time-bound activities help children to understand the value of time management and commitment” — Suprity Chakraborty, teacher, Lodha World School “Teaching our children Kundanika (class VI) and Raghavendrasinh (class II) commitment involves setting up clear goals for them, when playing puzzle games or drawing & colouring or reading their favourite book and assisting with household chores. As parents, we encourage them to take responsibility for their daily chores, guide them wherever required, and celebrate their every achievement. We firmly believe that fulfilling small tasks will develop their commitment towards all tasks and boost their confidence to tackle bigger goals in future life” — Priyashubhangini Solanki, homemaker

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Top takeaways from travel experiences

PW invited parents of Indus Valley World School, Kolkata to share their biggest learning from recent travel experiences “Our road trip to Puri during the Durga Puja holidays last year was very exciting for us as for the first time, we covered a distance of more than 500 km one way in our own car. Our plan was to visit Puri beach, Jagannath temple, Konark temple with additional sight-seeing and fun activities in between. My daughter Shreyasi (class VIII) suddenly fell ill and that day’s plan went for a toss. In another travel experience, we visited a monument steeped in rich history yet poorly maintained and far from clean for which, tourists like us are responsible to a major extent. We learnt two important lessons. One that good health is a prerequisite for any travel. And secondly, we must take responsibility for the cleanliness of our surroundings else our time and money will go to waste” — Maitreyee Chakraborty, officer, Yes Bank, Kolkata “Recently we visited Hyderabad to attend a marathon organised to create awareness about spinal muscular atrophy, a rare genetic disease. It has confined my 12-year-old daughter Debosmita (class VIII) to a wheelchair. Needless to say my daughter enjoyed the marathon where she was able to move on a wide road alongside thousand other participants. We also took her to Golconda fort which is partially wheelchair accessible. We wrapped up our trip with Hyderabadi biriyani. I must say our trip was an enriching experience where we explored our rich history, diverse geography, language, food and culture” — Moumita Ghosh, senior faculty, department of optometry, George College of Management & Science, Kolkata “As a family we have always been gripped by wanderlust not just to create lifetime memories and to strengthen family bonds, but also for cultural education and most importantly for shaping our daughter Prisha’s perspective of the world around her. Our family vacations have reconnected us to parenting through shared experiences and profoundly helped us find ourselves as well. Above all, the joy of seeing our daughter explore a new cuisine, pick up a new language, or becoming socially aware is beyond words. Through travel, we have learnt to celebrate our differences, not only as a family but also with the world around us” — Anindita Moitra, entrepreneur “A trip of a lifetime was what our daughter Ajita (class X) describes our family vacation to Kenya in 2019. Unfortunately, halfway through the dream trip I fell seriously ill, and our holiday had to be cut short. Amidst all the chaos of rerouting the return home, not once did she complain about the vacation having to end so abruptly. Instead she rallied around me both in-flight and during layovers. The takeaway from this trip as a family was not to take anything for granted because at times things do go wrong which the family should take in its stride” — Nivedita Moitra, entrepreneur. Also read: Traveling with kids? Useful tips for parents

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Helping children manage stressful situations

PW invited parents of The DN Wisdom Tree Global School, Bhubaneswar to share their insights on how they ensure their children manage unpleasant situations “I always encourage my children – Pranjal (class VII) and Paksh (class I) — to share their happy and stressful moments and don’t keep anything from me. The objective is to build complete trust between us and address any queries they may have. The biggest lesson I have taught them is that life is a combination of the good, bad, and ugly and we must find a balanced way to overcome any challenge. I believe the key lies in patient listening, not making comparisons and being sensitive to children’s fears and worries Mentors at The DN Wisdom school play a crucial role in helping children cope” — Dr. Pallavi Kumar, consultant, Jagannath Hospital “I believe any situation we find ourselves in, is for a reason and the reason is mostly positive. Initially it might appear unpleasant but eventually we learn it is for the better. I teach my son Shrivin (class III) to accept all of life’s adversities. As as we all are God fearing, we insist that he should trust the plans of God, take a pause before reacting and avoid unnecessary unpleasantness. However in case of unbearable stress we teach him to chant the name of God to calm down and keep working until the situation improves.” — Sulagna Mohanty, banker “I have always believed in giving a patient hearing to my daughter Giselle (class I) on how she deals with an unpleasant situation and positively analyse her point of view. I take it from there, and slowly ease her into listening to what my thoughts are and how best she could have dealt with the situation without being over-imposing. Connecting emotionally with our children is very important as also letting them know it is perfectly fine to feel the way they feel, and allow them to deal with their emotions and recognise them” — Maryann Bothaju, homemaker “Parents and teachers are children’s biggest role models. I believe a happy and healthy environment at home and in school will help my children — Vihaan (class III) and Neivisha (class I) — develop the self-confidence to manage pleasant and not so pleasant situations equally well. By learning from their mistakes, remaining focused on their goals, and persevering through setbacks, they can turn failure into stepping stones towards success” — Neha Choudhury, homemaker Also read: The DN Wisdom Tree Global School

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Enabling sibling bonding

PW invited parents of CHIREC International School, Hyderabad to share how they ensure their children bond as siblings “My daughters Anvika (class II) and Akshara (Nursery) are inseparable, and we do our best to enrich their bonding by teaching them to be mutually understanding and respectful. We give both equal attention and affection so that neither of them feels excluded. We let them sort out their own differences and don’t take sides or become referees in contentious situations. This helps in inculcating the value of listening and understanding other people’s perspectives. We plan fun activities they both love to do together such as dancing, painting, drawing, singing, and playing their favourite games” — Lavanya Akella, business development officer, VAICS Consulting Pvt Ltd “My daughter Gaurika (Nursery) adores her elder sister Rudrika (PP1) who is equally affectionate towards her young sister. We remind them only when either doesn’t show an act of kindness or caring for the other in terms of sharing treats, toys, or letting the other watch her favourite cartoon first. But quite honestly, their fights help them bond better as they learn to share and accept their differences. Since they do most things together, most of the bonding is purely organic.” — Harshita Chouhan, Joint Commissioner of Income Tax “The way we bond with our siblings reflects on acts of sharing and caring between our children. I sometimes entrust the responsibility of my twins Arjun (PPII) and Aryan with my daughter Akshara Kiran Anne (class II) when we allow them to play outdoors with their friends without our supervision. This encourages them to resolve any differences between themselves. By encouraging them to help each other in their art projects teaches them to respect each other and their feelings” — Dr. Anusha Dasari, consultant, Internal Medicine, AIG Hospitals “To help our children — Misha (class PP1) and Nihal (class I) — bond better, we try to encourage at least one shared activity between them every day such as doing artwork or making mud forts together. We team them up for household chores such as emptying the dishwasher, arranging the dinner table etc. We also plan family getaways, mostly child-friendly destinations, where they bond over various activities. Both our children share a passion for reading books, so we encourage them to read books to each other” — Nishita Mahendra Sohini, entrepreneur

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Balancing academics with co-curricular activities

PW invited parents of Vasal Education (Punjab) to share insights on how they ensure their children strike a balance between academics and co-curriculars “From her teenage years I have allowed my daughter Sehar (class IX) to take control of her own life and decide for herself what according to her is priority at that particular moment. I give her my suggestions but she gets to make the final choice herself. I strongly believe the responsibility of our children’s actions should devolve on them. When children are enabled to take ownership for their actions, it makes the whole process of learning much more enjoyable”. — Dr. Rana Preet Gill, Veterinary Doctor & Author, animal husbandry dept, Punjab govt “A balanced intervention has helped my children — Avyan (class IV) and Naisha (class VII) – take a fancy to academic and co-curricular education in equal measure. I have always encouraged my children to participate in co-curricular activities of their interest by convincing them that exposure to varied stimuli helps in mental development. They are both aware that overall growth and development is not solely dependent on academic excellence but learning beyond the classroom” — Deepshikha Dua, Manager, Taxation Mazars, Advisory LLP “I believe striking a healthy balance between academics and extra and co-curricular activities is the key to success. Towards this end, I encourage my son Agampreet Singh (class IX) to practice time management for prioritising tasks, and above all maintain a positive and healthy lifestyle. By virtue of balanced family guidance, adequate sleep and healthy diet and most importantly by exercising time management skills, my child feels confident and empowered” — Kuljinder Kaur, science teacher “The day my daughter Aastha (class XII) was born, I promised myself that I will not only be her mother but her best friend as well. An academic topper, Aastha doesn’t need to be reminded about study schedules but I have always ensured that she devotes some time to co-curricular activities as well. She loves to dance and I have always cheered her on as audience. She loves cooking and twice or thrice a week she cooks a variety of dishes with me in the kitchen” — Monika Kaushal, homemaker

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Helping children imbibe Indian culture

PW invited parents of Dharav High School, Jaipur to share insights on how they help their children imbibe Indian culture and traditions “We are a joint family with 13 members living under the same roof. This made it easy for us to teach our daughter Saumya (class VIII) Indian values, culture and traditions. Festivals are about celebrating together. In our household, we touch the feet of our elders to take their blessing. Our children observe and follow this religiously. As much as we cannot avoid Western culture, we also strive to make our children understand Indian culture and traditions so they can pass it on to future generations” — Garima Jain, Director, Beacon Public Senior Secondary School, Murlipura “By encouraging active participation of our daughter Bhavya (class XI) in all Indian festivals and reading about Indian history and mythology to better understand their cultural significance, we are ensuring she grows up with a strong sense of identity and cultural roots. We discuss these stories and highlight the valuable lessons they teach. In today’s globalised world, taking pride in Indian heritage and culture assumes special significance. Moreover, we have enrolled Bhavya in Indian music and dance classes, and routinely organise visits to museums. Through these efforts, we hope to instill a sense of pride, appreciation, and deep-rooted understanding of Indian culture” — Taruna Sharma, homemaker “As a family, we pray, eat, and work together. Our son Dev (class X) loves to read Panchtantra and Jataka Tales. From his childhood, his grandparents have told him stories from Indian mythology and folklore We observe all Hindu festivals to ensure our children appreciate the value of Indian customs and traditions. Often, we set off on a ‘discover India’ vacation with the children to dance festivals or haath bazars so they can explore the local markets, languages, dances, costumes and traditional food” — Neelam Agarwal, homemaker “Our daughter Akansha (class XII) has embraced our culture willingly and remains curious about diverse Indian traditions. From youngest age, we introduced her to Indian folk tales and mythology through storytelling from the epics and focused on the basic values they represent. All Indian festivals are celebrated together during which Akansha wears traditional Indian attire. We also introduced her to traditional Indian meals at home and involved her in the cooking process to make it a fun and educational activity” — Ratika Agha, homemaker

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Exposing children to diverse career options

PW invited parents of Delhi Public School, Jaipur to share insights on how they introduce their children to different careers “Our endeavour has always been to understand the strengths and weaknesses of our daughter Mishti (class XI) to steer her towards the most appropriate career which will give her financial security and help her lead a high-quality life. To this end, we encourage Mishti to converse with professionals from diverse fields and then we discuss the pros and cons of specific careers with her. We also maintain a positive attitude and encourage careers that match my daughter’s skills” — Shilpi Dutta, homemaker “I encourage my son Tejas (class XII) to sign up for hobby clubs so he can explore his interests and discover his passions and potential career paths. To broaden his perspective, we have introduced him to experts from a wide range of professional backgrounds. We also buy him books and online resources to understand 21st century careers better. Moreover, career fairs organised by DPS provide valuable insights and interactions with industry experts. The Alumni Interact is also an extremely useful initiative of DPS, Jaipur” — Alka Joshi, homemaker “It is important to expose children to diverse experiences from youngest age before getting them started on choosing career options. Therefore, we encourage our daughter Parii (class XII) to enrol in various scholastic and non-scholastic activities that inculcate curiosity, an open mind and self-awareness. Equipped with this mindset, she has set a goal for her aspirations and created an action plan based on a clear understanding of her interests, aptitudes and how to align them with career opportunities in the professional world” — Vanshika Madhwani, homemaker “I have exposed my daughter Prisha (class XI) to the real world to the extent possible so she can make informed career decisions for the future. In her childhood, I narrated stories of war heroes, their valour and ability to deal with the trials and tribulations that came their way. As she grew older, I exposed her to a variety of sports and musical instruments. I noticed she has a flair for badminton, playing the piano and guitar, and even Western dance. I also encourage her to participate in school debates and Model United Nations (MUN) conferences” — Pragya Gupta, entrepreneur

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Raising respectful children

PW invited parents of Greenwood High, Bengaluru to share insights on how they teach their children to be respectful of adults and other children “Our son Nalan (KG I) is allowed to choose any set of clothes he wishes to wear, bedtime stories he chooses to read, among other decisions. Moreover we insist on using the phrases “please” and “thank you” with Nalan, whenever he helps with chores around the house. While playing with his friends, Nalan now does the same. Children are observant of our behaviour. When we respect members of our family and community regardless of status, age and gender, our children tend to follow the example” — Thenkani Thenamuthan, Director, Karnataka News Publication Pvt. Ltd, Bengaluru “From youngest age, we have made a conscious effort to help our son Jonathan (class III) grow up into a respectful human being. The best way to teach him was by being his role model and demonstrate through words and actions such as greeting Good Morning/Evening, Thank You, displaying calm in anxious situations, and being a respectful listener. What makes us proud is that Jonathan has displayed maturity beyond his years and treats everyone — young and old — with utmost respect and dignity” — Ravali Mariam Verghese, Lead Software Engineer, Wells Fargo, Bengaluru “As parents of twins Anika and Advik (class IV), we try to demonstrate the same behaviour we expect of them and have since become their role models. Children are very impressionable and tend to mimic their parents. Therefore, using the golden words “Thank You”, “Your’re welcome” and “Please” with politeness in our conversations with grown-ups and children is absolutely essential, Moreover during a conflict, we avoid being judgemental by putting ourselves in our children’s shoes to resolve crises” — Shailaja Kamila, Technical Director, Netapp India Pvt. Ltd “Our nine-year-old son Zavian’s respectful behaviour towards adults comes from observing us. If we touch the feet of our elders, he follows suit. However, developing respect within the peer group demanded some well-thought out strategies — when 10-minute time outs did not work, we tried something else and finally, in the past one year, we have seen positive reaffirmations are working wonders in inculcating tolerant behaviour and respectfulness” — Shuchi Nijhawan, Chief HR Officer, Eka Software, Bengaluru

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Nurturing empathetic children

PW invited parents of Tatva Global School, Hyderabad to share insights on how they inculcate compassion in their children “Instilling compassion is essential to nurture empathetic human beings. My elder daughter Samyuktha K. (class III) is a prolific reader and what she reads substantially shapes her thoughts and opinions. Therefore, we decided to buy her Dealing with Feelings by Soni Mehta to help her explore her emotions. My younger daughter Saanvitha (PP-II), starkly different, seeks clarity in every situation making it imperative for me to explain the consequences of an action and model the values we want to instill in her. — Sowmya Sree Venuturupalli, EVS teacher at Tatva Global School “To ensure Ayrah (class I) grows up to become a caring and compassionate human being, we try to be her role models as we believe it’s important to demonstrate caring and kindness through our own actions. Teaching her to treat others as she wants them to treat her is a valuable life lesson she has learnt. Practising kindness within family and peers comes naturally to her now. According to her, even plants and animals have feelings and we should not hurt them” — Srijana Sapkota, English teacher, Tatva Global School “Like the Dalai Lama, I also believe love and compassion are the essence of human life. To instill these values in my daughters Dheeksha (class IX) and Saakshi (class V), our first lesson to them was on tolerant behaviour. We started treating them with respect, coaching them to pay attention at all times and hone their listening skills, and encouraged them to accept life’s successes as well as its failures. We also encourage them to work collaboratively and praise them for any joint effort avoiding any point of conflict between them” — Ranjani Subramanian, primary teacher, Tatva Global School “It takes the combined effort of parents and teachers to inculcate empathetic behaviour in children. When children watch adults being kind and compassionate towards others, they start mimicing their behaviour. One day my son Mokshith (pre primary I) saw me comforting his cousin crying over a lost toy. It wasn’t long before he replaced it with a toy of his own. Just goes to show how positive role-modeling plays a key role in inculcating compassion in children” — Madhavi Avirneni, assistant teacher, Tatva Global School

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Helping children deal with sibling rivalry

PW invited parents of Indus Altum International School, Belagavi to share insights on how they help children overcome sibling rivalry “To maintain a happy environment at home, it becomes imperative to understand the origin of any conflict between my daughters Aarna (class V) and Anushka (LKG), and then try to resolve it by keeping calm and encouraging positive communication between them. I create opportunities for compromise and co-operation by motivating them to play together and strive to make time for each child individually and as a family. We often play indoor board and outdoor games together, and even bake cakes together. Sharing responsibilities and rewards is a lesson I have taught them early on. I believe enforcing love and respect for each other helps develop strong family bonds” — Dr Divya Navin Mulimani, consultant radiologist, Aarna Scans and Interventional Radiology Clinic, Belagavi “Till I had my son Dev (class VI), I was a normal parent. When my daughter Diya (class III) was born, I upskilled overnight into a referee. Fighting and arguing between siblings is a natural phenomenon which is how children learn to sort out problems and develop strategies they can use in similar conflict-like situations. We always encourage Dev and Diya to talk to each other rather than become physical. We also teach them ways to manage anger and avoid intervening in each and every argument. Amicable and peaceful solutions are always rewarded.” — Komal Badani, business development, Diamond Metal Screens Pvt. Ltd “When I conceived my second child Aanya (class V), my son Dhruv (class VIII) was three years old and throughout my pregnancy we prepared him mentally for a younger sibling. Luckily, he was looking forward to a younger sister and is very protective and caring towards her. Post-delivery I was unable to give him sufficient attention, but we made sure he got enough from his father and both set of grandparents, so he never felt left out. We have never compared them with each other and celebrate their uniqueness equally. This mantra goes a long way in avoiding sibling rivalry” — Dr. Rashmi Naik, pediatrician, Lotus Hospital, Belagavi “One decision we took when we were expecting our second child was that we will not make our daughter Athmika (class IV) feel less important with her younger sibling’s arrival. Therefore, we started involving her in tending to baby Avantika and made her feel equally important. Now we encourage open communication between the girls, allowing them to express their feelings and concerns without judgement, and involve them in team activities. At the same time, we acknowledge their individual strengths and ensure that each has her own space to avoid unnecessary conflict. By promoting empathy and understanding, my girls are learning to appreciate each other’s differences and build a loving sibling bond” — Surya M.V, homemake

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Readjusting to Normative schooling

PW invited parents of Glendale Academy, Hyderabad to share insights on how the school helped their children readjust to normative schooling “The past year came with a new set of challenges when my daughter Zunaira Fatima (class X) returned to school after two years of pandemic-induced schools shutdown and online classes. Glendale Academy has done commendable work in providing the support parents and children needed to help tide over the transition from online to physical classes. The Glen Care team, set up for addressing any concerns and assistance, made life much easier for parents. Moreover cultural shows, hobby classes, Glen Run, Farm Day apart from professional sports coaching after a two-year break, soon became days to look forward to.” — Sheeza Sharmeen, homemaker “When Covid hit India two years ago, children, teachers and parents had severe difficulty coming to terms with the sudden switch to online teaching-learning. However, I must acknowledge the efforts of the teachers of my daughter Mahira (class II) and son Viyom (LKG) who gradually made them feel at home after they returned to school for physical classes. It was certainly not easy for them to adapt to offline learning quickly. But thanks to the introduction of engaging activities, the atmosphere in the classroom became much lighter and our children learnt to re-adapt” — Kanika Mongia, actress/homemaker “After almost 24 months of remote learning, return to physical school for my son Yatharth (class VIII) felt like a burst of life-giving oxygen. The joy of walking down the school halls, meeting friends, lively interactions with teachers and playing sports and games instantly raised his spirits, efficiency and productivity. With the continuous support of his teachers, my son is now able to give his best in academics as well as sports.” — Anusha Veluswamy, author, architect and publisher “Over the past year, my daughter Rabhya (class VI) has seamlessly readjusted to normal school. This can be attributed to Glendale’s innovative programs and initiatives that have encouraged her holistic development and self-expression. One major factor has been the Passion Project which allowed her to explore her interests and pursue creative endeavours. Rabhya’s project presentation to her teachers boosted her self-confidence and communication skills. Additionally, she participated in the ‘Leader in Me’ initiative, which instilled a deep sense of responsibility and collaboration in her” — Dr. Sumedha Verma, diabetologist, AED Hospital, Hyderabad

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Making the most of summer holidays

PW invited parents of Nirmal Bhartia School, Delhi to share insights on how they plan to make summer holidays productive and enjoyable for their children “My son Gurnoor Singh (15) is at a crucial year in school and will be writing his class X board exams soon. He follows a set routine throughout the week which includes his tutorial classes and self-study time. To break this monotony, I have planned a few activities for both of us. Since he loves to sing and dance, I have enrolled both of us in a freestyle dance class in the evenings and swimming classes in the mornings. We also plan to go on a week’s vacation to the hills to refresh and rejuvenate.” — Jagtej Kaur, educator “This year Delhites are blessed with a much milder summer, which is encouraging to say the least. My nine-year-old son Samar (class V) can now engage in outdoor activities in our local sports complex. In addition, we plan to travel to Mumbai and enjoy the monsoon there. I believe the time has come for Samar to explore and experience the richness of India as far as possible considering that most information his generation has gathered is mostly from the Internet. Academic interventions by way of holiday homework will of course continue in the background” — Amandeep Chahal, advocate “To ensure our teenage son Abhimanyu (class X) has a productive summer, we intend strengthening his family bonds by visiting family members; enrolling him for football training to build physical strength and stamina; practicing writing blogs to build his creative writing skills and teaching the nuances of basic technology to senior citizen inmates of a nearby old age home to build social skills! The rest of the time Abhimanyu must invest in preparing for his class X board exams” — Bhawna Kothari, advocate “Summer is that time of year when families look forward to doing things together and making memories for a lifetime. We are no exception. Every year, we make an effort to involve our son Arjun (class IV) in preparing our holiday tour itinerary. With no restriction on time, we make it a point to visit friends and family and teach our children the value of social fabric. We also engage in joint activities like making chapatis, baking cakes and cookies, reading books, going for long walks and cycling in the evenings, or swimming” — Bhawna Gandhi, homemaker

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Nurturing global citizens

PW invited parents of Vista International School, Hyderabad to share insights on how they are helping their children transform into global citizens “We make an effort to provide our son Anirudh T. (class X) maximum exposure to different cultures and communities through domestic and international travel, books and films. My son has lately taken to learning new languages, which will help him immensely in the future. It also helps that his environment at school and our social circle, nurture the ideologies of global oneness. Rooted to Indian traditions, and supported by knowledge of world geography, I believe this generation can bring the world together for the better” — Shri Ramya, educator “It is important for children to adapt to global cultures given that talent is recognised worldwide. Our son Vedant (class X) has been pursuing sports from youngest age so he can easily blend in wherever he goes with minimal barriers. Our frequent travelling to distant lands has also helped him experience and learn about different people, cultures, cuisines and so on. Vedant is adept at making new friends and striking conversations. Moreover, we are all now focusing on learning a foreign language” — Radhika Kuppili, HR professional “Some ways in which our daughter Advaitha (class IX) is gradually transforming into a global citizen are through extensive travel within the country and abroad, reading books from different parts of the world, and learning foreign languages to connect with fellow global citizens. We also taught her to be empathetic and open-minded towards people from different cultures and backgrounds. In fact every year, Advaitha volunteers for humanitarian causes in different parts of the world” — Nagasree Mamidipally, educator “Learning multiple languages has taught my daughter Hanshika (class IX) to respect cultural diversity of the global community. Moreover, we make it a point to have routine conversations to promote social justice globally and celebrate festivals observed around the world. Hanshika invests considerable time exploring real world issues including the complexity of global challenges and engaging with multiple perspectives etc” — Shailaja, educator

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Confidence building activities for children

PW invited parents of Rustomjee Cambridge International School, Mumbai to share insights on how they boost their children’s confidence “Born in a sports loving family, our son Vyom (class X) has picked up the nuances of swimming and football since he was introduced to the sports in class III. He gives as much importance to sports as he does to academics. Together we make an effort to watch domestic and international sports tournaments live on television despite our hectic schedules. On weekends, we engage in family debates on a range of topics, with the objective to accept each other’s viewpoints. I believe a healthy home environment that encourages open communication is critical for boosting self-confidence” — Sneha S. Desai, homemaker “My daughter Alisha (class VII) has always been obsessed with sports. Unfortunately, she is a picky eater. Over the years however, I have learned to innovate healthy foods and other alternatives in order to help her expand her diet which gives her the nutrients she needs. For instance, I use honey instead of nutella and cook pancakes with bananas. Surprisingly, Alisha has taken a liking to my innovations. In addition, I have introduced eggs to increase her protein intake. A well-balanced diet has given her the foundation, discipline and confidence to vastly improve in sports.” — Neelima Mehta, jewellery designer, Era Jewels “As responsible parents, right from the time he was little, we encouraged our son Vivaan (class VI) to openly communicate his feelings with us. We read, play board games,watch web series and movies, play outdoor sports, and go on family vacations together in the summer. We even share our experiences — good and bad — with him and seek each other’s opinions on the various activities that we involve ourselves. This has helped boost Vivaan’s confidence in expressing himself clearly and assertively” — Trupti Mandar Natekar, behavioural counsellor and parent coach “Since early childhood, Yatharth (class VIII) has actively participated in scholastic and non-scholastic activities, attended field trips, and made time to teach his peers and friends as we have always believed that interacting with people, and exposure to the outer world helps improve self-confidence. To develop his life skills, we encourage him to use public transport for his daily activities and assign him household chores including grocery shopping. We also encourage him to organise small events for family and friends” — Shaili Parag Chokshi, homemaker

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Safeguarding children’s health in the summer

PW invited parents of Al Hira Model School, Chennai to share insights on how they plan to maintain their children’s health in the summer “I will encourage my daughter Shaziya (class XII) and son Shafaaqat (class IX) to sleep early so they can rise early in the summer months. Rising early will enable them to go on early morning walks and engage in some form of outdoor activity/play before the sun gets too hot. Physical activity is absolutely essential for adolescents. To avoid dehydration, I will ensure they drink 2-3 litres of water every day and alternatively fresh fruit juice throughout the day. Spending time with family will strictly be in the absence of digital gadgets.” — Shabana Bano, homemaker “To start summer days on a positive note, I plan to introduce some fun stretching and breathing exercises for my children – Saara (class III) and Ruqayya (class II) — which will energise them. Healthy homemade meals and tender coconut water, buttermilk and seasonal fruit juice through the day will provide them with essential nutrients and help them beat the heat. I will also ensure my children are disengaged from digital devices so they can spend quality time with family. Finally, a regular sleep schedule and reading aloud favourite bed time stories are also on the agenda.” — Heena Kauser, special educator and freelance counsellor, Al Hira Model School, Chennai “With limited playground activity in summer, I intend to allocate separate spaces of our terrace garden to my children — Syed Armaan (class II) and Mariam (JKG) — to ensure they learn the basics of hydroponics to grow edible plants of their choice. To maintain good health, the quality of food we consume plays a critical role. Therefore I will make every effort to avoid junk and spicy food and experiment with bakes and new recipes that are healthy and tasty. Growing children need abundant physical exercise. I plan to enrol my children in early morning fitness programs and swimming classes in the evening” — Zahra Nadeem, agri-preneur, Chennai “With summer around the corner, I am extra protective about the health of my children — Ridha (class VI), Rifa (class IV) and Shoaib (class I). First and foremost I will ensure that they get a good night’s sleep every day to feel fully energized. Secondly, I will ensure they are well-hydrated so they remain active throughout the day. Tender coconut water or a tangy lime juice has its magic while homemade meals loaded with greens are health giving. Last but not the least, bonding with family and friends in the summer positively impacts children’s overall health.” — Sultana Tabassum, homemaker

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Helping children feel emotionally safe

PW invited parents of ODM Public School, Bhubaneswar to share insights on how they help their children feel emotionally secure “Unlike parents in olden times confined to their agricultural duties, leaving their children to be raised in the lap of nature, modern parents like us invest time, money and energy to help our children develop academically and achieve their dreams. We are far more conscious about the development of social, spiritual and emotional skills of our son Spandan (class V) and spend hours together engaging in open conversations, playing outdoor/indoor games and evaluating school study material. I must also thank his school for providing a safe and secure learning environment to enable his all-round development” — Subhalaxmi Sahoo, homemaker “The most important aspect of raising emotionally stable children is spending substantial time listening to them, talking with them, sharing jokes, laughing, and learning. Mindfully listening to our children strengthens their trust towards us. Providing them with a happy and loving home environment, filled with laughter and joy also helps. When it’s warranted, I proudly praise my son Hridum (class II) and when he fails to achieve something, we stand by him with encouraging words to help him start again” — Rojalin Mishra, journalist, Odia Television Network “As responsible parents, it is our duty to make our son Aayushraj (class IV) feel safe and secure. Despite the challenges of a mad rush world, we make efforts to spend quality family and play time together. During this time, we openly discuss our work and major activities of the day while respecting his thoughts and opinions. Moreover, we recognise his scholastic and non-scholastic achievements by praising him and correct him when he takes a wrong step. Family is a great emotional support system in our lives and he knows that” — Usha Kumari Sahu, homemaker “Our focus is on providing a safe and nurturing environment to our son Adrik (class III) where he feels loved and valued. To achieve this end, we have established consistent routines and boundaries to give him a sense of predictability and stability. Almost every day, we encourage open communication, and listen to him showing empathy and understanding when he expresses his feelings. We also help him develop a positive self-image by focusing on his strengths and abilities. We avoid being overly critical of him by offering him constructive feedback and encouragement. Hugs and cuddles are routine in the Panja household” — Moumita Panja, self-employed fashion designer

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Regulating children’s social media usage

PW invited parents of Gurugram’s Blue Bells Model School, Sector 4 and Brahm Dutt Blue Bells Public School, Sector 10 to share insights on how they regulate their children’s social media usage “We mentor, rather than monitor our children on social media usage. During the pandemic years, social media helped us remain connected. Our daughter Mansi, a class VIII student, developed the expertise of completing school projects with enough time left to interact with peers using digital media. Since the time schools have reopened, we have kept a check on Mansi and limited our screentime as well. We strongly believe in practising what we preach. We are also very thankful to her teachers for organising workshops on the pros and cons of social media usage and the benefits of limiting screen time. Today I can proudly say that Mansi maintains a balance between screen time and family time! — Pratima Chauhan, teacher, Brahm Dutt Blue Bells Public School, Gurugram “I believe the best way to free my daughter Goohika (class X) and son Tanmay (class VIII) from today’s web of digital gadgets is by reducing screentime ourselves, spending quality time with the children, and helping them identify their passion for various activities. Developing hobbies like playing indoor/outdoor games, reading books, and involving them in household chores help children utilise their free time in productive ways without relying on digital gadgets. Children are too young to take decisions and need substantial hand-holding. Till then, it becomes imperative to be their friend, and mentor who makes them feel loved, wanted and keeps them busy” — Dr. Shivalli Joshi, teacher, Brahm Dutt Blue Bells Public School, Gurugram “As technology continues to shape the world, we cannot distance our children from its usage but can make them understand how technology can be used responsibly. I make it a point to test the apps which my son Neerav (class VI) uses and we play online games together. In my opinion, technological inventions should come with disclaimers so that parents can explain to their children the negative impact of addiction, distraction, cyberbullying and reduced physical activity. By keeping away from our own digital devices and spending quality time with our children we help them acquire emotional intelligence, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.” — Manvi Gupta, edupreneur “Social media platforms can’t be kept away from children nowadays especially after the prolonged schools lockdown of the pandemic years. But of course, children must be guided on how to use social media moderately for entertainment and learning purposes. I keep a check when my ten-year-old son Smyan sits in a corner with a mobile in hand. There is always a clear instruction of the time limit and I check the content he views. As of now, I am not that anxious as he mostly watches clippings of table tennis matches to learn the nuances of the game that he loves.” — Paramita Banerjee, teacher, Blue Bells Model School, Gurugram

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Helping children resist negative peer pressure

PW invited parents of Gurukul The School, Ghaziabad to share how they are helping their children cope with negative peer pressure “We attentively listen to the concerns of our son Avni (class IV) and nurture a strong sense of self-worth within him to support him in resisting negative peer pressure. By providing positive role models and alternative activities, we make an effort to broaden his perspective. We also teach him the importance of standing up for his beliefs and principles, even though they may be at odds with his peers. Additionally, we encourage him to associate with positive and supportive friends. It’s crucial to instill the value of being a positive influence on others and making sound decisions. Avni is open to seek our guidance and support anytime” — Anu Bala, entrepreneur “We believe teaching our daughter Arshya (class VIII) to be self-assured and true to her convictions is the best way to safeguard her against negative peer pressure. We have worked hard to develop her self-esteem and confidence, qualities which make children less vulnerable to peer pressure. We are now confident Arshya can speak up to defend herself in any given situation. We encourage her to participate in activities that she likes, and find friends who share similar qualities and interests” — Nilanjana Singh, business- woman “For teenage children like my daughter Krisha (class XI), the pressure to conform can be extremely powerful and hard to resist. My first lesson to her was to teach her to say ‘no’ and make her understand that refusal doesn’t make anyone a bad person. Instead it generates a sense of self-awareness and conveys the message clearly. I avoid being judgemental during our long conversations. Understanding things from her point of view is the key” — Purvi Khuntia, homemaker “Negative peer pressure can affect children’s overall growth and mental well-being. Therefore, we have begun preparing Yuvaan (class II) from an early age. First and foremost, we have helped him develop a clear understanding of right and wrong, followed by building his confidence to say No to actions and activities that fall under the wrong category. We have developed a clear and dedicated communication channel with Yuvaan who never hesitates to reach out to us in times of trouble.” — Chhavi Toshan, financial analyst, RK Associates

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Helping children cope with school bullies

PW invited parents of Delhi Public School, Raj Nagar, Ghaziabad to share insights on how they help their children to manage school bullies “Our first lesson to our daughter Shreem (class XI) has been to act smart, brave and firmly tell the bully to stop and walk away. We help her practice ways to ignore a bully’s hurtful remarks and have drawn up a list of responses to keep handy. She is aware that showing kindness, displaying confidence and a positive body language are useful deterrants to bullying. Now Shreem has learnt to stand up for victims of bullying and encourage others to stand up to them. I am confident our daughter is quite capable of handling this social evil in school” — Kiran Bindal, teacher, Dayawati Modi Public School, Modinagar “Together with my daughter Safia (class XI), our family practices body positivity at home which requires each of us to praise friends and family even if they have poor communication skills, attitude, size, complexion or height. Above all, we have learnt to love and embrace ourselves the way we are. This practice not only helps Safia to believe in herself but also develops her confidence to stand up for herself. When and how to react and when to ignore some folks is another lesson we are teaching her. It’s noteworthy that when children learn to love themselves, no bully can make them feel unworthy” — Charu Sharma, homemaker. “Children habitually observe and learn from their parents’ reactions to different situations. Over and above this learning, we have taught our daughter Vaani (class X) to be emotionally strong and stand up by displaying confidence in what she believes is right. She is aware that bullying is wrong and unacceptable. And as important as it is to make sure our child is not the victim of bullies, it’s equally important to ensure she isn’t bullying others. Vaani and I have had long conversations about the importance of treating others as they would like to be treated. Our lines of communication always remain open” — Priti Goyal, businesswoman, Ghaziabad. “We have provided a healthy and cordial home environment to our teenage daughter Kavya (class X). She is free to discuss anything at any time with us. As much as I am her mother, I am also her best friend, and try hard not to burden her with our expectations. To prepare her to handle any adverse situation, we are now focusing on developing her mental and emotional health by inculcating the values of self-respect and esteem. I also try to maintain a friendly relationship with Kavya’s peer group” — Reena Saran, homemaker.

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Developing children’s communication skills

PW invited parents of Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya (SKV), Gwalior to share how the school is helping develop their children’s communication skills Committed teachers of SKV have played a crucial role in strengthening the communication skills of my daughter Innora (class X). She has not only learnt to communicate effectively but to empathise, show respect, and read others’ body language. Thanks to SKV, she is an avid reader who has learnt how storybook characters behave and communicate in different situations. SKV always encourages students’ participation in public speaking and oration, and organises special theater and communication workshops. These activities have boosted Innora’s confidence — Mallika Dasgupta, public relations and corporate communications director, Adani Airport Holdings Ltd, Ahmedabad My daughter Khyati (class IX) has exceptional dancing and photography skills. We enrolled her in SKV to learn in an environment that pro[1]vides maximum exposure to numerous extra curricular activities which help to nurture social, community and leadership among other life skills and prepare children for life. She is on the right track. Within a short span, she has learnt to communicate effectively, cooperate, solve problems and relationship challenges and develop emotional intelligence. With a large number of culturally diverse children around her, she has learnt networking skills early. This will benefit her later in life — Sneha Dubey, Director, Manlitics B2B ITES Pvt. Ltd, Pune Lately I have noticed my daughter Shruti (class VIII) shares her ideas on her career plans or about society in general with great depth and confidence. We attribute this improvement to her habit of reading non-curricular books at SKV. This becomes evident during our long telephone conversations, during which she shares story lines of the books she reads. We believe the SKV environment helps nurture these skills. The camaraderie among boarders creates a wonderful support mechanism which teaches her team work and collaboration. — Jyoti Choubey, government high school teacher, Gauripur, Assam We were woried about our daughter Sanvi (class VI) — an only child — learning the art of socialisation in a boarding school. On the very first day at SKV, she found herself surrounded by strangers from various cities, differing cultures and beliefs. But thanks to the empathy and nurturance skills of her teachers and non-academic staff including house mother, Sanvi has quickly learnt to socialize with peers and teachers and has developed a well-rounded personality. Through SKV’s rich menu of co-curricular activities including debates, essay writing, storytelling, she has improved her communication skills substantially. She expresses herself much better — Samarth Agarwal, businessman, Firozabad

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Ensuring children eat healthy meals

PW invited parents of Delhi Public School Agra to share insights on how they ensure their children consume nutritious meals To make sure my eight-year-old son Samriddh (class IV) eats healthy meals is a challenge but fun nevertheless. Our latest mantra is to involve him in dictating the menu and helping to prepare meals under my supervision so he is inspired to sample his own creations. To sustain him during long school hours, I pack enough protein in his school tiffin to keep him going through the day. Creativity also works for him. Therefore, I use cookie cutters to serve him bread/chapatis in the shape of hearts and smiles and give them fancy names. We are gradually learning to wean him off junk food — Ritu Gupta, businesswoman Packing nutritious lunches for my elder son Ayraansh (class III) on regular school days and post-school activities is a task in itself. I invest considerable time and effort to include salads and fruits, curd, nuts, ghee, and soups in his diet. Most of the time, I pack traditional Indian meals such as stuffed paranthas with dal or one pot meals such as vegetable pulao or khichdi which I believe are healthy options. Egg and meat are also added in moderation. I always advise my children to eat healthy and focus on physical fitness — Arisha Vij, homemaker There are certain food codes we follow as a family so that our daughter Ananya Jyoti (class VI) develops ‘eating right’ as a habit. Home cooked freshly prepared meals are served six days in a week. They comprise at least two green veggies daily, limited packaged food and no frozen food. Homemade food can become boring for children. Therefore, I experiment with ingredients and presentation to hold my daughter’s interest. Moreover, I involve her in cooking meals so she is inspired to taste her own cooking — Sindhuja Saha, homemaker Healthy growth and development requires young children including my daughter Reva (class XI) to consume healthy meals. In urban India, children are very fussy about their food choices making it a difficult task for mothers like us. While carbohydrates and fats are Reva’s favourite junk food (chips, pizza and pasta), I ensure she has eggs and cheese as her protein source. Like most children, green leafy vegetables are on her dis[1]like list, and so is curd. Therefore, I ensure she has plenty of fresh fruit and flavoured yoghurt which compensates for veggies and milk. I believe educating children about different foods, their sources and benefits is a great way to make them understand and follow healthy eating habits — Dr. Sonal Gupta, Ojas Hospital, Agra

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