Guiding parents through the pre-teen years

Recognising that the pre-teen years form one of the most sensitive and transformative phases of a child’s life, Apeejay School, Noida organised an enlightening online session titled Understanding the Pre-teen Mind. The session aimed to equip parents with deeper insights into the emotional, social, and behavioural changes experienced by children aged nine-12 years, enabling them to provide the right guidance and support at home. The highly engaging programme witnessed the enthusiastic participation of around 120 parents. 

The session commenced with a warm welcome to the distinguished panelists and attendees, followed by an introductory address that shed light on the unique challenges faced by pre-teens today. Parents were sensitised to common concerns such as mood swings, peer pressure, identity formation, increasing need for independence, and emotional vulnerability. The school reiterated that this transitional stage requires patience, empathy, and strong collaboration between parents and educators to help children grow into confident and emotionally secure individuals.   

The webinar featured an esteemed panel of mental health professionals who brought both expertise and practical wisdom to the discussion. Dr Rajesh Kumar, Consultant Psychiatrist, spoke about child and adolescent mental health, helping parents understand behavioural patterns from a scientific and psychological perspective. Dr Garima Kapoor, Consulting Psychologist, emphasised the importance of emotional well-being and shared effective communication techniques to strengthen parent-child bonds. Ms Dona Singh, Clinical Psychologist, elaborated on therapeutic approaches and positive parenting strategies that nurture resilience, self-esteem, and healthy coping mechanisms in children.

The school Principal, Dr Neha Sharma, formally addressed the gathering and highlighted the school’s commitment to holistic development. She underlined the importance of creating safe and supportive environments where children feel heard, understood, and valued.

One of the most impactful segments of the session was the interactive discussion, where panelists presented real-life situations from the perspective of children. They offered practical and pragmatic suggestions to manage issues such as anger outbursts, emotional instability, bullying, peer influence, and academic stress. The experts stressed that building trust and connection with children must precede correction, and that validating their emotions plays a crucial role in their mental well-being. 

The Q&A session allowed parents to openly share their concerns and seek personalised advice, making the programme highly relatable and solution-oriented. The session concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks to the speakers and participants for their active involvement, as well as to the school management for organising such a meaningful initiative.

Overall, the session proved to be informative, enriching, and immensely beneficial, reaffirming Apeejay School, Noida’s dedication to nurturing not only students but also empowering parents in their parenting journey.