Schools, Then & Now: Confessions Of A KG-Going Toddler’s Mum

By Sangeeta Sudhakaran

“Dress up your child as a peacock for tomorrow’s school assembly.”
“Teach her five lines about nature for the special project.”
Sounds familiar?

If you’re a parent of a school-going child today—even a toddler—you’ve probably received one of these well-meaning but overwhelming instructions. Schools today are bursting with creativity. But let’s be honest—are these activities really about the kids anymore?

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Flashback: Our School Days

I’m talking about twenty-five years ago. Back then:

• Parents were called to school only when their kid was in trouble.
  
• Tuition was a last resort for students who genuinely struggled.
  
• Projects, elocution, fancy dress—these were the student’s job, not the parent’s.
  
• School fees? Handed over by the child, not auto-debited from a parent’s app.
  
  

My first tuition was for 10th-grade Math—my lifelong nemesis. Other than that, I managed pretty well on my own. My parents showed up on Annual Day, clapped, smiled, and that was that.

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Fast Forward: My 5-Year-Old’s School Life

Now, as a mother to a five-year-old, I find myself embroiled in:

• Speeches
  
• Project models
  
• Costume days
  
• Cursive writing homework
  
• Teacher's Day cards
  
• Hindi alphabets in KG
  
  

It’s all wonderful in theory. Personality development, creative learning, holistic education—I get it.

But here's the thing… it’s exhausting. And more often than not, it feels like the parents are doing school again.

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Are the Kids Learning, or Are We?

Take this example: A “Farmhouse Model” project.

My daughter is four. She's barely mastered the art of glue-sticking. I went on a treasure hunt for materials, scoured Pinterest for ideas, and—let’s be honest—built the entire thing myself.

Did she learn motor skills?
Not really.
Did I learn how to cheat (Pinterest)?
Maybe.

The only thing she gained was a taste of competition, jealousy, and a little misplaced pride—when our model wasn’t the best, and yet better than a few others.

So… who exactly is this activity benefiting?

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Teacher’s Day Card: A Lesson for Me

Last year, I wanted her to present the best card in class. So what did I do?
I took over. I cut, glued, decorated—and allowed her to stick some cello tape, just so she could “participate.”

It was picture-perfect. But I learned nothing about letting go.
This year, I let her take over.

She scribbled random letters, drowned the card in stickers, and wore a focused smile throughout.

The result? A chaotic, glitter-bombed masterpiece.
More importantly—it was HER card.

That moment taught me patience, self-awareness, and the art of stepping back.

A picture perfect Teacher's Day Card

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Who’s Really in School?

Sometimes, it feels like these school activities are a "pay the fee and parents get free kindergarten lessons" deal.

As I:

• Brush up cursive writing
  
• Learn Hindi varnamala again
  
• Memorize lines about trees and seasons...
  
  

…I wonder if the schools are just grooming us—the parents—more than the kids.

But in between glue sticks and flashcards, I’ve also learned:

• Patience
  
• Letting go of control
  
• Reframing perfectionism
  
• Celebrating real creativity
  

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FAQ: School Life for Toddlers Today

Q1: Should parents help with school projects?

A: Yes, but only guide. Let the child lead—projects are learning tools, not design competitions.

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Q2: Are early school activities beneficial for children?

A: They can be. But when pressure and perfectionism replace fun, the value is lost.

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Q3: How involved should a parent be in KG homework?

A: Enough to support but not replace the child. Let them explore and make mistakes—that’s where growth lies.

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A New Perspective on Parenting & School

I may not be able to change the entire schooling system, but I’ve started changing how I respond to it.

• I let my daughter scribble cards instead of turning them into art installations.
  
• I encourage her words, even when they don’t rhyme.
  
• I remind myself that she’s five, not preparing for an MBA.
  
  

And as she beams with pride over her not-so-perfect creations, I learn—this is what true education looks like.

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About the Author

Sangeeta Sudhakaran
 A stay-at-home mom who works from home as a writer and editor. Depending on the time of day, she might say one child is enough—or that she wants five more. Either way, she’s always reflecting, learning, and sharing from the chaos of modern motherhood.