Srinagar, 8 Sept: The National Child Development Council (NCDC) held a Core Committee meeting to deliberate on the need for adequate support and awareness among parents and teachers regarding the mental and emotional well-being of children.
During the discussion, members stressed that parents and teachers are often the first people to notice changes in a child’s behaviour and emotional state. They emphasized the importance of identifying such changes at an early stage and providing appropriate support without labeling, comparing, insulting or otherwise making the child feel inferior.
The members observed that children come from different family and social backgrounds and pass through different stages of growth, during which they may experience significant emotional and behavioural changes. They said parents and teachers need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to understand these changes and respond appropriately.
A major point raised during the meeting was the need for regular training of both parents and teachers. Members suggested that schools and relevant institutions should provide periodic training on child psychology, emotional development, parenting and ways to recognize and address emerging problems among children.
The committee members also discussed the need to strengthen the existing Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) system. Instead of limiting PTA meetings to routine discussions, members suggested making them more training-oriented, with seminars and guidance sessions on children’s emotional well-being. Considering that many parents are working, living outside the area or have children studying in boarding schools, the members proposed that such interactions and training programmes could also be conducted online, including during convenient evening hours or holidays.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of maintaining regular and healthy communication between parents and teachers. Members said that if teachers notice behavioural or emotional changes in a child, the matter should be discussed constructively with parents so that both can work together to understand and address the issue.
Participants expressed concern over the practice of labeling children as “lazy,” “naughty” or “good for nothing,” stating that such approaches may worsen the situation. Instead, they called for greater empathy, careful observation and an effort to understand the underlying reasons behind a child’s behaviour.
The committee further discussed the pressures faced by children in the present education environment, including academic competition, assignments and other pressures. Members stressed that teachers should receive training in contemporary child and adolescent psychology so that they can understand changing behavioural patterns across generations and handle sensitive situations without humiliating or insulting students.
