Young Talent: How schools are supporting diverse skills

Taking a holistic approach to academic achievements means valuing a diverse set of skills such as creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork. By acknowledging achievements in this comprehensive way, students are emboldened to explore their interests and leverage their unique skills with enthusiasm.

Support from teachers, mentors, and classmates is essential in motivating students to develop their talents and pursue their passions. Recognising the uniqueness of each student’s abilities with customised encouragement helps in promoting their personal growth. This tailored approach ensures every student feels recognised and driven to maximise their potential.

Meet three such students – Ayaan Duggal, Dhanvi, and Amayra Jaitley – students of Apeejay School, Tanda Road who have recently been promoted to LKG. Ayaan, a bright and enthusiastic student has already begun to show a keen interest in both academic and extracurricular activities. “I love to go to school, learn new things, and enjoy playing with friends and engaging in interactive learning sessions with my teachers. My favourite subject is English as I love to hear stories in this language,” Ayaan said.

His journey – academic or otherwise is greatly supported by his mother, who plays a pivotal role in his learning process. One of his most cherished school activities is storytelling time, which not only entertains him but also fuels his imagination. “I love to listen to puppet stories; when they are read out to me, I can imagine how they look and what they are doing and the fun they are having,” Ayaan shared and added that he is a big fan of Spidey and His Amazing Friends.

“I like the fact that he has friends and always comes to their rescue. It is also amazing to see the adventures that he goes on, and how brave he is. What is even more amazing is how he swings from one building to another with just the webs that come out from his hands,” he said.

His love for learning stems from the great fondness that he has for his teachers. “Pallavi ma’am from nursery and Priyanka ma’am from LKG are very nice. The way they explain things makes learning easy and interesting. It makes me curious about how things work. Their innovative teaching methods have left a lasting impression on Ayaan, making his educational journey enjoyable and memorable.

Looking ahead, the toddler dreams of following in his father’s footsteps, a professor at Lovely Professional University (LPU). “I love to learn about new things so when I grow up I want to share that knowledge with others. Hopefully, I will be able to realise my dream, and my love for learning, and storytelling will lead to a journey full of discovery, and success,” Ayaan said.

Dhanvi, who like Ayaan has been promoted to LKG shares that she loves going to school because she has lots of friends there and loves to spend time with them playing. “Besides playing, I also like to learn new things; my favourite subject is English because I love speaking rhymes. When I get stuck on my school work my mother is always there to help me. She has a special place in my heart. My teachers are also special since they make all the classes very interesting and fun. I love spending time with Priyanka ma’am; she was my first teacher when I joined the school,” the young one shared.

Amayra who has recently gone to LKG loves school for several reasons. “First, I love all my friends in the class. Second, my class teacher is amazing. Third, our school has a huge auditorium. I am always excited to go to school,” the four-year-old shared and added that her favorite subjects are English because it is easy and fun, and Hindi because it is our national language.

The toddler also shared that at home it is her grandmother and sometimes her father who helps her with her studies. “I look up to both of them because they teach me good manners and are very smart. In the school, Priyanka ma’am is the best because she is very kind and cares a lot about me,” Amayra said in conclusion.