As a mother of two and a teacher at K’sirs, I often find myself shifting between two very different spaces, my home and my classroom. But over the years, I’ve realised they aren’t really separated. The way I see my children at home shapes the way I see my students, and the way I see my students often teaches me something new about my own kids. What happens in one world always seems to echo in the other.
Every child is unique. Some run ahead with confidence, some wander slowly but take paths that no one expects. In my classroom, I see a brave answer, a kind gesture, or even a determined attempt after a mistake. Those sparks aren’t always bright, but they are always there. And I’ve learned that they grow best when home and school come together, both gently blowing on the flame.
I’ve seen struggles too, with my students, and with my own children when the day feels too heavy or when words just won’t come out right. For a long time, I used to think struggle meant something was wrong. Now I know it means something is growing. Struggle is not the opposite of progress; it is progress. The magic happens when school and home form a circle of support. That circle makes children feel safe enough to keep trying, even when things are hard.
What I’ve Learnt over the time?
The truth is, the most powerful learning doesn’t always happen in classrooms. It happens at home in the little routines, the messy moments, and the ordinary conversations we share with our children. Here are a few things that have made a difference in my own home:
- Reading together:Ten quiet minutes with a story before bed, with voices and giggles, can do more for a child’s love of learning than hours of drills. My children still remember the stories I read, long after they’ve forgotten the toys they played with.
- Everyday life as a classroom: Measuring flour while making chapatis, counting bananas at the fruit shop, or hearing how a family budget works, these moments teach math, language, and problem-solving almost without us noticing.
- Outdoor play: Running in the park, climbing trees, chasing butterflies, or simply watching the sky change colour at sunset, these moments are not “breaks” from learning. They are learning.
- Family connections: My children’s favourite conversations are with their grandparents. The stories, the patience, the laughter, these are lessons in love, history, and resilience that no textbook could replace.
- Conversations that count: Instead of asking, “What did you do today?” I’ve found it works better to ask, “What made you laugh?” or “Did you see something new?” The answers often surprise me and remind me how much children notice when we slow down and listen.
At the end of the day, it isn’t worksheets or grades that shape a child the most. It’s the habits they pick up, the memories they hold onto, and the feeling that they are supported both at home and at school.
So here’s my promise and my invitation: you at home, we at school, walking side by side. Together, we can give every child not just knowledge, but joy, confidence, and the courage to shine in their own way.
-With faith in every child,
A Mother Who Teaches, A Teacher Who Mothers.
Shenbagapriya
