“Necessity is the mother of all inventions”, Ms Sudha Gupta has proved this statement to be correct with her unprecedented convictions. A woman with a vision, who has single handedly revolutionized pre-school education. She tells us in her own words that how she got there and where she aims to go next.

Meditation and yoga can really help a child in calming and controlling his mind as a result of which his concentration and spirits are lifted. Nurturing our children into good human beings is the real way of connecting them with God.

“If you want to thank God, be good to His people.”

Sudha Gupta

• Soul Curry: You have totally revolutionized the concept of pre-nursery schools? How did it all begin?

• Sudha Gupta: It was the year 1991. My son was 3 at that time. I went around looking for a pre-school which would add more colors to my child’s world. Instead I only found two bedroom dungeons where children were made to cram rhymes and concepts. That was the time when I decided that I will ensure that the children get their due and opened the first branch of Mother’s Pride in 1996. We built a spacious, colorful, child friendly building in Paschim Vihar where children could fully enjoy their childhood. For the first time, computers were introduced to pre-schoolers. A team of research and development under me designed innovative tools and activities to stimulate the senses of every child. Stage exposure brought about miraculous confidence in each child which even the parents could not believe. This opened the eyes of caretakers and parents about what crucial role pre-school years play in a child’s life. More and more airy and spacious pre-schools came up. Approach shifted from spoon feeding to experiential learning. This revolution has now engulfed almost the whole Delhi and NCR and I will always be proud of the fact that it all began with Mother’s Pride.

• SC: How important is it to inculcate the essence of right values in children as young as two year old?

• SG: Two is an age when a child’s mind is like a sponge. What ever is taught to the child, he absorbs it immediately and it stays with him for a lifetime. So values like honesty, truthfulness, respect for elders, love for every human being, family bonds, inculcated at this age leave an indelible mark on the child’s personality. If the foundation is strong, outside factors cannot uproot the basic value system of a child when he grows up.

• SC: What all activities can be introduced in day to day life to shape the complete personality of the child?

• SG: More than what activities, it is how the activities are conducted that matters. Every activity a teacher or a parent takes up with his child should raise the child’s self esteem and fill his world with love and fun. For example you pick up an activity of dance; instead of appreciating your child for what he is trying to learn, you criticize him for not doing it perfectly. Such activity is not only useless but will also have a negative impact on the child. In day to day life, you may include activities like pool activity, coloring, craft, story reading and narration, cycling, building blocks, memory games etc.

• SC: What is your take on introducing yoga & meditation to per-nursery children?

• SG: In my view, meditation and yoga must be made a part of the curriculum in schools. There is so much of stress and anxiety among children of today that this is no longer just an extra-curricular activity but a need. Meditation and yoga can really help a child in calming and controlling his mind as a result of which his concentration and spirits are lifted.

• SC: Are there incidents of children under stress, anxiety or any other psychological problem at such a tender age?

• SG: Very much. Stubbornness, aggressiveness, clinginess, anxieties are not just behavioral traits but can very much be the outcome of stress in children. Upset stomach, sleep disturbances, bedwetting, decrease in appetite, inability to relax etc. are all symptoms of stress. Stress can be due to various reasons like unhealthy home atmosphere; birth of a sibling; bullying at school; death of a pet; inability to cope with education and many more.

• SC: Whenever we talk about complete personality development, we usually mean physical, emotional, and mental development of the child. Do you think that the spiritual aspect of personality is not being given due importance?

• SG: If we take spiritual development as making the children aware of the presence of God and his power, then I think it is very much happening in our families. However, in my view an important aspect of spiritual development is compassion for fellow human beings. There is an old saying that if you want to thank God, be good to His people. We all worship God but only a few of us make an effort to create a difference in the lives of others. Parents should donate time to rouse compassion in their children for others. Nurturing our children into good human beings is the real way of connecting them with God.

• SC: How do you facilitate the importance of being connected with god in the children?

• SG: When a child is connected to God, it is easier for him to follow that voice inside him called conscience. Conscience represents God who guides us why to choose right over wrong. The sooner our children develop the muscle to hear and follow this voice the better.

• SC: Your parenting insights are very helpful. How is your vision so clear about every type of relationship with the children?

• SG: I owe my parenting expertise to my two sons, Pratik and Paras. They taught me that love, patience, listening and enjoying each moment that can bring the whole family together. As I explored parenthood, there was one person in my life whose valuable lessons always encouraged me to be good parent. That was my father-in-law. His one unforgettable lesson which I have also quoted in my book ‘Celebrate Childhood’ is ‘If you want to have a son like Krishna, become a mother like Yashoda’.

• SC: How do you cope up with your work stress?

• SG: One feels stressed only when you have to do something you don’t love. I love my work and my life, so I have never felt the need to unwind. I have always balanced my work with family. I holiday at least twice a year, watch movies, chill with friends, party. My family gives me the space to work with full freedom. It is an amazing feeling to live with when your family is as proud as you are of your work.