Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park hosts an interactive parenting workshop 

Setting the stage for joyful learning

It was a bright and cheerful morning at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park as the campus buzzed with excitement. Outside the auditorium, a beautiful rangoli made with flowers and paint greeted the attendees – parents, teachers, and young students – setting the tone for a memorable parenting workshop. The event began with a heartwarming video montage capturing glimpses of the many joyful activities and moments from the previous 2024-25 session.

While parents made their way into the auditorium, their little ones were lovingly guided to classrooms filled with games and fun activities. Inside the auditorium, the vibe was festive and filled with anticipation.

The workshop commenced with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony conducted by Pre-Primary Incharge Ms. Rachna Jain, Principal Ms. Surabhi Joshi, and the speaker of the day, Dr. Deepak Gupta. This symbolic start was followed by a mesmerising classical dance performance by 11 students from Classes 3 and 4 on the song Swagatam Shubh Swagatam. The students, dressed in elegant classical attire, enchanted the audience. A musical performance by the junior choir comprising 10 students from Classes 2 and 3 added further charm, as they sang joyfully in coordinated kurta-waistcoat sets.

A heartfelt message from the Principal

Ms. Surabhi Joshi, Principal of the school, took to the stage, sharing thoughtful reflections on her own parenting journey. “Parenting comes with no manual,” she began, “It’s trial and error every day. But our intention is always right.” She spoke about learning empathy and awareness from her daughter’s innocent observations and emphasised the importance of giving children quality time, even if only in small moments like bedtime or waking up.

She touched upon critical points such as: 

• Avoiding exposure to negative or unsuitable language on television
• Using books and storytelling to build communication and empathy
• Encouraging curiosity and answering children’s questions patiently
• Teaching resilience by allowing children to face corrections.

“Every child comes with their own destiny,” she concluded, “What we can give them are the best values, and model those ourselves.”

Words of wisdom from a parenting expert

Ms. Rachna Jain introduced the keynote speaker, Dr. Deepak Gupta, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. A leading name in adolescent psychiatry in India, Dr. Gupta has been honoured with the Golden Aim Award (2020) and the Eminent Medical Person Award (2011). In his highly engaging session, he congratulated parents on this new journey and offered deep insights into nurturing young children with love, patience, and awareness.

His key takeaways included:

• Offer unconditional love and give children undivided attention, especially during playtime
• Avoid screen time before the age of 3. It’s a highly impressionable stage of development
• Keep phones at least two feet away from children to reduce radiation exposure
• Avoid fighting in front of kids; model peaceful communication
• Don’t say “No” – redirect with care. For example, instead of scolding for staying up late, say, “It’s 11 PM. Let’s go to sleep together.”
• Communicate openly and let kids express freely
• Be a role model – children learn from observing
• Be a lighthouse parent, not a helicopter one – guide, but let them explore.

The talk lasted 50 minutes and was followed by a 15-minute interactive Q&A session with the audience. It was an eye-opening experience, especially for new parents.

The orientation featured engaging student-led activities, a welcome dance, a musical performance, and a meaningful talk by Dr. Gupta. Parents appreciated the school’s transparency, guidance, and care.

Happy Parents

The session also saw parents sharing their heartwarming experiences with the school. Mr. Varun Narayana, father of Unnati Mathur (KG A) and an alumnus from the 2003 batch, shared a deeply personal and inspiring speech during the session. He warmly recalled his own time at Apeejay School, where his teachers had left a lasting impact on him – not only academically, but emotionally. He especially remembered a science teacher who taught him to not fear starting over. “She didn’t say my assignment was wrong – she just told me to try again, and again. That spirit has stayed with me till today,” he shared.

Reflecting on his journey from student to parent, Mr. Narayana remarked, “This school fosters curiosity, creativity and social-emotional development. Even the SUPW classes I took – like stitching – turned out to be practical life skills later in my hostel life.”

Ms. Prerna Acharya, mother of Neera Sharma (KG B), shared an emotional and inspiring reflection on why she chose Apeejay for her daughter. “My association with Apeejay began in 1998, and I still remember meeting the school students in a sports meet back in 2001. So enrolling my daughter here feels like coming full circle,” she said.

Mr. Suraj Saini, father of Tullika Saini (1 A) and an alumnus, shared an emotional note on returning to his roots. “I spent 14 years here as a student. So when my daughter was growing, I knew this was the only place I wanted her to be. Everything I’ve learned from this institution – I want her to experience the same,” he said.

Ms. Geetu Jaiswal, mother of Nehansh Jaiswal (2 D), spoke straight from the heart as she reflected on her son’s journey from Nursery to Grade 1. “From learning letters to reading full sentences, from counting numbers to solving math problems – my son has made remarkable progress,” she said. More than academics, she shared how he has blossomed into a confident, independent child who participates in storytelling, sports, and dance.

Ms. Jaiswal, a parent managing two children in different schools, contrasted her experiences and praised the stress-free environment at Apeejay. “No excessive homework. No pressure. Here, he enjoyed his childhood while learning,” she said.

She candidly shared, “I was worried when I enrolled him – he was shy, hadn’t gone to pre-nursery, and I’d heard Apeejay had high expectations. But the teachers made everything easy. His KG teacher used to say – ‘That’s the point! He’s learning here!’”

Other parents echoed similar sentiments. A mother from Nursery A shared, “The orientation was very good. I learnt a lot about parenting and Apeejay. I didn’t know there were no exams till Grade 2 – it was such an interactive and inspiring session.”

Kabir’s mother from Nursery B said, “It was very informative. We got so much experience from alumni and the speaker. My child settled well and enjoyed his first week. We’re very happy.”

Thoughtful Takeaways

Vice Principal Ms. Vandana Bansal delivered a warm vote of thanks. She extended her gratitude to Dr. Gupta, the Principal, teachers, and all the behind-the-scenes contributors who made the event a success. She also thanked the parents for their participation and trust in the school.

The national anthem was played to mark the close of the formal event, followed by a delicious lunch served in the foyer.

A glimpse into co-curricular learning with Sports Guru

Post lunch there was also a special presentation by the school team introducing parents to Sports Guru – an engaging physical education and sports programme integrated into the school curriculum. Parents were given a detailed overview of the variety of activities included in Sports Guru such as yoga, fitness drills, basic sports skills, and age-appropriate games designed to promote holistic development. The initiative received enthusiastic response, as it aligns with the school’s focus on physical well-being along with academic growth.

Talking about the importance of such workshops, Ms. Rachna Jain said the orientation programme was thoughtfully designed to support parents in understanding the school’s curriculum, teaching methods, routines, and values. “This initiative is part of our ongoing effort to help parents feel more connected, supported, and comfortable with the school, especially since we understand that Nursery is a big emotional step for many families,” she said. “Ultimately, it’s about building a strong parent-school partnership.”

As parents exited, they received thoughtful KPL kits – educational goodies to support learning at home.