‘Connection is crucial for imparting education to kids’

Souvik Goswami, Co-founder & Chief Group Editor of APAC News Network, shares his experiences as a father of Shivansh Goswami, a student enrolled in Nursery A at Apeejay School, Noida. In the interview, he sheds light on the school’s vibrant environment, teaching methods, the balance between academics and extracurricular activities, as well as its impact on his child’s development.

Read edited excerpts:

Can you share your overall experience with Apeejay School Noida so far?

It has been a wonderful experience for us as parents and for our child at Apeejay School, Noida. For any 3-4-year-old, the most important thing is to enjoy the new place, new people, and new surroundings and have something to look forward to in school. Apeejay fulfills that quite well. Our child eagerly awaits school days as he enjoys learning with fun. So, from us, it’s a thumbs up. The teacher is a significant part of any child’s education, along with the institution, and Apeejay is ensuring that for our child.

How would you describe your child’s journey at the school up to this point?

Our child joined Nursery in April 2023. In these 6 months, we have noticed significant changes in him. Whether it’s learning new letters, phonetic sounds, storytelling, rhyming, colouring, or sporting activities, the journey so far has been exciting for him. I hope that his journey in Apeejay continues to be fruitful in the coming years too.

What aspects of the school’s environment do you think have positively influenced your child’s development?

There are two aspects to it. One is physical, and another is emotional. The campus itself exudes positivity and energy. The sheer size of the campus, open classrooms, and natural spaces for kids to roam and enjoy nature, all contribute to the positive physical environment that aids a child’s mental development. But beyond this, the emotional connection is most important, especially for kids in nursery and primary. We give full credit to the teachers of Apeejay for ensuring an emotional connection with the students, which results in behavioural development along with education.

Could you tell us about the teaching methods and pedagogies you’ve observed at the school?

Connection is crucial for imparting education to kids, and Apeejay is implementing innovative teaching methods that blend traditional and modern tools while creating connections. For example, colours of fruits are taught to kids by hand so that they not only identify the colours but also feel them. Simultaneously, phonetic sounds are taught using modern tools like AVs and interactive digital experiences. This approach helps establish connections in a child’s mind, ensuring a proper understanding of concepts.

How does the school encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills in students?

Activities like ABACUS and LEGO seem to be helping in developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills in children.

Can you share insights into your child’s academic progress and achievements at Apeejay School Noida?

It’s still early to comment on my child’s academic progress, as he has been at Apeejay for just a few months. However, he has been exposed to various new learnings and actively participates in storytelling and rhyme competitions representing the school.

Do you think the school effectively balances academic and extracurricular pursuits?

As parents, we are delighted to see the school’s efforts in balancing both academics and extracurricular activities. We believe that a child’s overall growth can only happen when they engage in both educational and extracurricular activities, and Apeejay is successfully nurturing these skills in students.

How does the school create a positive and safe learning environment for your child?

A positive classroom environment is one where students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, taking risks, asking questions, and confronting learning challenges. Educators create this environment by setting clear classroom expectations, providing opportunities to improve social skills, building strong teacher-student relationships, and delivering relevant content. In such a classroom, students feel that their input is valued, and this fosters active participation in the learning process, resulting in a more productive learning environment.

How does the school prepare students for their future endeavours, both academically and in terms of life skills?

As long as Apeejay continues its proven approach, we believe that the school will ensure students are successful in their future academic and life skill endeavours. We wish Apeejay Noida all the best in maintaining excellence in academics and life skills.