‘Teachers and parents are a cumulative unit for a child’s holistic development’

His son, Idhaant Mittal of Nursery at Apeejay School, Pitampura has been loving every minute of the time spent in school. The minute he is back from school, he is all excited to go back the next day. His father, Dr Saksham Mittal, consultant, Joint Replacement, Arthroscopy & Orthopaedics at CK Birla Hospital, Maharaja Agrasen Hospital like thousands of other parents did his research while looking for the best school for his son.

“My wife and I were looking for a school that had a strong academic background. I asked my friends and family. Some of my relative’s children are students of Apeejay; the feedback that we got satisfied us. We were also told that the school has extracurricular activities as well. The fact that the school is within a reasonable distance clinched the deal for us,” Dr Mittal said.

Excerpts from the interview:

How has Idhaant settled in school thus far?

He just joined the school in an offline mode. The fact that he is always excited to share what he did in school that day says a lot about the teaching methodology of Apeejay. They must be doing right if my son is excited to go back the next day.

How has his learning progress been?

While we were looking for a school with a strong academic record, we don’t put too much pressure on Idhaant to excel at such a young age. He still has a long way to go. Having said that, he is doing well in class. His class teacher comes up with new ways to teach alphabets with phonetics. He even attempts to read three-letter words on his own. What I like about this school is that they are teaching him the importance of conserving the environment and natural resources.

We don’t even have to teach him to converse water. It is just the opposite; he tells us not to waste water.

Should learning be all about academics?

Though I said, my wife and I were looking for a school with strong academic roots, I also want my son to have holistic development as well. Just book knowledge is not enough today. Earlier, there were few career choices and if you were a doctor or an engineer only then you were considered good. Today, there are so many options available. Having overall development will help them make better career choices.

What about the teachers at Apeejay?

They are very good. I am absolutely satisfied with the way they are teaching Idhaant. If we have a doubt we send across a text and always get a reply. We also get regular updates from Mrs Vishakha, his class teacher, on my son’s progress.

Can you share some tips that parents can follow to ensure that their kids grow up with strong bones?

Vitamin D deficiency is becoming common post-COVID-19. I am seeing a lot of kids coming with bone pain and deformities. First, parents must send their children outside to play in the sun. I see so many kids who come in with vitamin D deficiency. For strong bones, vitamin D is a must; outdoor activity will help. Second, parents must give their kids a balanced diet that is calcium-rich and has plenty of green leafy vegetables.

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“The teachers are very good. I am absolutely satisfied with the way they are teaching Idhaant”

Dr Saksham Mittal, consultant, Joint Replacement, Arthroscopy & Orthopaedics at CK Birla Hospital, Maharaja Agrasen Hospital  

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How important is it that the parents and the teacher are in sync when it comes to teaching moral values?

The parents and teachers must be in sync. Neither should give conflicting views otherwise it will confuse the child. Teachers and parents are a cumulative unit for a child’s holistic development. At home, we give him the best of the values that we can and those that have been taught to us. The teachers do the same when Idhaant is in the class. He is also learning a lot of things from his friends – sharing, caring, and the art of friendship. Nurturing the kid from the start ensures he grows up to be a model citizen.

Should parents put pressure on their children to study?

It all depends on the parents. It is a competitive world. But the parents must allow the child to have his/her growth trajectory and follow a path where his passion lies. Forcing a child to do an activity is not the answer. It is better to introduce him to different activities and let him choose what he likes best so that he can excel in that.