“Behind every confident teenager is a parent who listened, understood, and believed in them.”

Parent Awareness Session – Std. 7 & Std. 8

- Ms. Ketaki Mohite, Mrs. Divya Immanuel

The second parent awareness session for the Secondary Section was held on 18 July 2026 for the parents of Std. 7 and Std. 8. The sessions were facilitated by Dr. Sonali Mahale, a practising medical physician with a special interest in child development, emotional well-being and mental health.

Std. 7 – Understanding Self-Image Development and Peer Influence

Dr. Mahale highlighted that adolescence is a crucial stage in the development of a child's self-image. As teenagers experience rapid emotional and social changes, parents play a vital role in providing a safe, non-judgemental space where children feel accepted and understood. She encouraged parents to appreciate effort over results, validate their children's emotions, and distinguish between correcting behaviour and criticising the child.

The session also focused on the growing influence of peers and the importance of fostering open communication. Parents were encouraged to allow age-appropriate independence, support decision-making, establish healthy routines, and help children build resilience by learning from their mistakes. The session concluded with practical strategies to strengthen trust and nurture confident, emotionally secure adolescents.

Std. 8 – Navigating Teenage Years: Mental Health and Addiction Awareness

The session for Std. 8 focused on understanding adolescent mental health and recognising the early signs of emotional distress and addiction. Dr. Mahale explained that the teenage brain is still developing, particularly the areas responsible for reasoning and decision-making. She encouraged parents to respond with patience and guidance, allowing children to learn from natural consequences rather than fear of punishment.

She also discussed the influence of peer pressure, excessive screen time, and behavioural addictions, stressing the importance of maintaining open conversations and balanced daily routines. Parents were guided to identify early warning signs such as withdrawal, changes in behaviour, declining academic performance, and loss of interest in activities. The session concluded by reinforcing that seeking timely support for mental health concerns reflects strength and is an essential step towards a child's overall well-being.

The interactive sessions concluded with practical strategies for nurturing emotionally secure, confident and responsible adolescents through patience, empathy and consistent parental support.