‘Kids need to be taught how to remain calm under all circumstances’
Shalini Saksena
She has two daughters and both are in Apeejay School, Pitampura. For Dr Rajshree Sharma, consultant, Department of Anaesthesia at Ganga Ram Hospital, the only checklist when it came to admission for Kiara in the nursery was that they, for the last eight years, had been seeing their elder daughter, Rishita, who is now in class VI, make a lot of progress academic-wise; she is a class topper
“Our main aim, when it came to the admission of their younger child, was that she too gets into Apeejay. Recently, Rishita, received the ‘We Made an Impact’ award at the Annual Appreciation Day that was celebrated in November 2022. We know that the school is strong academically with a focus on co-curricular activities as well,” Dr Sharma said.
Excerpts from an interview.
You are an anesthetist. What innovations have taken place in the last few years?
Most people think that an anesthetist puts the person under sedation for surgery. This is not the case. Today, anaesthesia has expanded and includes pain management, critical care, and dealing with any emergency in the hospital. We are no longer limited to operation theatres.
How has Kiara been doing in school?
She did go to a preschool for three-four months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit and led to lockdown. When she started school in April this year, we thought that she may have problems. While, to begin with, she had issues making friends, but she settled down in a couple of months. She has always been an extrovert and a talkative child but going to school was a new experience for her so adjusting to peers took some time.
What is the teaching methodology at the school for Kiara?
The best part of Apeejay is that there is no burden of studies on the child till he/she is in class I. There is no homework for such small kids. There are some extracurricular activities as well that the school holds for children as young as Kiara. Recently, they organised a poem recitation. A couple of months back, they held a rhyme competition based on an animal theme. She really enjoyed this.
The best part of Apeejay is that there is no burden of studies on the child till he/she is in class I. There is no homework for such small kids
–Dr Rajshree Sharma, consultant, Department of Anaesthesia at Ganga Ram Hospital & parent of two daughters of Apeejay School, Pitampura
What about the interaction with the teachers for Rishita?
Things were a bit different for my elder daughter when she joined the school in the nursery. She was a shy child and didn’t interact much in class. But over the years, the school has organised so many competitions, functions, and inter-school activities that she got used to interacting with her classmates. Her teachers encouraged her and by the time she came into a higher class, she had made tremendous progress.
Were there apprehensions about sending the girls to the school post-Covid?
Each parent had apprehensions. Yes, there were safety concerns as well but as doctors, we also understood the importance of offline classes. But once the school opened and the girls settled in, everything smoothened itself out.
How is the teacher engagement?
They are extremely helpful. As parents, we understand that there are bound to be issues in handling a new batch of 50 boisterous kids. But the teachers, at Apeejay, are experienced and know how to handle each situation. The teachers interact with the toddlers at a level that they understand. Kiara always comes back home with a word of advice from Kavita ma’am – don’t waste water or don’t litter public places.
For Rishita, there have been a few teachers who have helped her shape her personality. Even during COVID-19, teachers would constantly encourage her and guide her in various online competitions.
A lesson that each child must imbibe.
A child must be taught to respect their elders. Second, kids today are extremely aggressive and need everything to be done immediately. They need to be taught how to be patient and remain calm under all circumstances. I would want both my daughters to know how to behave under stress when the time comes – be it their professional or personal life.
What is the importance of holistic development?
Academics are only a part of one’s education. There are so many people who share a name but you only know one. Your behaviour defines you. Your education contributes 20 per cent, and 80 per cent depends on the way you behave with others and your attitude toward life. Academics doesn’t guarantee that you have social education.
