Step by step

The first few days of school are not only a telling time for infants, but parents too, who can8217;t relate to the fact that their little ones are all by themselves. Precisely why, at the Strawberry Fields, one parent accompanies the child for the first few days and helps the little one get familiar and cozy in a brand-new environment and also getting to know the teacher, other parents, peers and the programme that is designed specially for toddlers. The child gains from the feeling of security that comes with the presence of parents, points out Atul Khanna, Director of the school. The parents are involved in singing rhymes, putting away toys appropriately, play and story time and in the process the parents enjoy moments of watching their little ones grow, which they will miss when the child goes to the higher classes and in a big school. 8220;Regular parent-child and teacher interaction creates a special bond and is not only beneficial for children, but also the schools who get inputs to strengthen the system and add more value to the teaching, which is both value-based,8217;8217; Khanna says through feedback from parents they constantly work towards improving the curriculum. Farah, mother of 21-month-old Aarav feels there are things that one tends to ignore at home, while in a group the child8217;s three core areas: motor skills, creative skills and language skills, through colouring, building blocks, puppet shows and storytelling sessions dramatically improve. What8217;s best, the environment is not competitive and the child is merely exposed to different concepts. 8220;To foster a feeling of interaction, we have coffee meets for mothers, who can bond, catch up on their children8217;s progress and understand and handle the child better,8217;8217; smiles Atul.

At the Carmel Convent, the demonstration and evaluation programme for the upper and lower KG involves parents, teachers and children in various fun and learning activities and according to Punita Singh, introduces parents to the teaching methodology followed at the school, so that it can be followed at home too. 8220;The regular programme initiates interaction, bridges gaps, improves quality of teaching and learning,8217;8217; believes Punita. Sanjivni Preparatory School and Day Care Centre, Chandigarh, follows a similar pattern. 8220;We hold monthly meetings with the parents to keep them updated about their child. It is more than a parent-teacher interaction. Children participate to share what they are feel,8221; tells Parveen Sokhey, Principal of academia. The school also fun games and fests for parents and the children to help them bond better. 8220;It8217;s very important for a conscious bonding to begin even before children learn to speak. Many parents come to us sharing that their children don8217;t listen to them. So we help them what and what not to say,8221; Shalini Sharma, who runs a social skills programme, shares.

The Firstep Montessori School, Panchkula, tricity8217;s first Montessori school, conducts regular interactive workshops for the parents to acquaint them with Montessori8217;s scientific concepts and philosophy. 8220;It is very essential for the parents to understand the methods we use at our school so that they can provide similar environment to their children allowing them to conduct self-directed activities away from school as well,8221; tells Madhu Trehan, principal. Firstep Montessori also boasts of introducing methods that nurture self-directed minds. While St Johns regularly organizes counselling sessions for parents, explains Preeti, 8220;The classes are useful in guiding parents on how to understand and handle the child better.8221;