Author: VIBGYOR Group of Schools

Lights, Learning, Action: Teaching Through the Lens of Storytelling

Posted on by VIBGYOR Group of Schools

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Movies pull students into experiences that reveal new perspectives and help them connect with the world around them.

In this article, you can discover:
✅ Why our brain leans more towards stories
✅ Films that become learning companions
✅ India’s classrooms are already learning through cinema
✅ Curriculum comes alive: How films fit into subjects
✅ Fun, practical ways to use films in classrooms
✅ Around the world, stories teach too
✅ Adults as guides in a story-led world

“It is our choices, __________, that shows us who we truly are.” – Harry Potter

“To infinity and ___________!” – Toy Story

“May the ___________ be with you.” – Star Wars“Hakuna ___________ – it means no worries.” – The Lion King

Students recall these lines in seconds because films root themselves in emotional memory far longer than printed lines on a page. Bring this magic into the classroom, alongside a bowl of popcorn, and something shifts. Curiosity increases, conversations open up, and students respond, relate, and reflect with ease.

In this space, cinematic learning methods become a powerful way to help them absorb values, emotions, and insights that matter.

Why our brain leans more towards stories

There is a reason children lean forward the moment a film begins. Stories are meant to fire up parts of the brain that facts struggle to reach. Neuroscientist Paul Zak highlights this beautifully in the 2015 article Why Inspiring Stories Make Us React: The Neuroscience of Narrative. He mentions that emotional narratives release oxytocin, strengthening empathy, attention, and trust.

Teachers often notice the same pattern. They see that students respond differently when concepts are presented through stories rather than instructions. Films hold emotion, imagery, pacing, and tone. Psychologists call this “sticky learning pathways,” because moments that stir emotion tend to stay longer in memory.

This is why film-based learning in education has gained momentum, mirroring how young minds naturally absorb meaning.

Two clues. Two films. Can you name them?

  1. Broomstick + Glasses + Lightning scar = ?
  2. Dyslexia + Misunderstood boy + Painting = ?

Films that become learning companions

In India and across the world, certain films have become part of the teaching culture because they hold lessons that textbooks rarely carry with the same emotional weight.

Iqbal (2005) A story of determination and disability inclusion.   Why it resonates: It transforms ambition into action, showing that courage grows through challenge.Stanley Ka Dabba (2011) A story of kindness, dignity, and friendship.   Why it resonates: Stanley’s story opens the door to sensitive conversations about poverty, dignity, and childhood resilience.
Dead Poets Society (1989) A story about acceptance and the courage to think differently.   Why it resonates: Robin Williams’ unforgettable Mr. Keating encourages students to “seize the day” and question blind conformity.Wonder (2018) A story about kindness, inclusion, and compassion.     Why it resonates: The story of August Pullman, a boy with facial differences, helps children understand empathy in action.

Films like these become educational or teaching life lessons movies for students, opening conversations that feel natural.

India’s classrooms are already learning through cinema

From metros to small towns, storytelling through thoughtful, inventive ways is slowly becoming a meaningful part of classroom practice.

VIBGYOR expands classrooms and makes learning cinematic

Recently, VIBGYOR Group of Schools partnered with LXL Foundation to launch the 8th edition of the School Cinema International Film Festival (SCIFF), running from 14th to 30th November across 22 campuses. The festival, timed to coincide with Children’s Day, featured 100+ films from 25 countries in more than 20 languages, curated especially for different age groups.

Through this festival, students experienced movies in multiple languages and cultural contexts, helping film-based learning become tangible, inclusive, and deeply connected to the world beyond textbooks.

This impact deepens when teachers guide students through what they watch. A question or quick replay helps students absorb the meaning within a scene. By drawing attention to tone, gesture, silence, and decisions, learning shifts from observation to insight – and eventually, cinema becomes connected.

These real initiatives highlight the benefits of film-based learning in schools without the need for complex systems.

Curriculum comes alive: How films fit into subjects

Film integration is not random; it is a thoughtful technique that ties into the curriculum. This is how to integrate film-based learning into the curriculum without disrupting structure.

Science and Environmental Studies

  • Kadaisi Vivasayi, a Tamil movie, introduces sustainable farming.
  • WALL-E sparks conversations on waste, pollution, and future habitats.

History and Civics

  • Lagaan helps students understand taxation, teamwork, and unity.
  • Rang De Basanti encourages thought on citizenship and responsibility.

Social-Emotional Learning

  • Taare Zameen Par humanises learning differences.
  • Nil Battey Sannata helps students see ambition across backgrounds.

Language and Arts

Studying scenes from Barfi! gives students rich material for imagery, metaphor, and gesture.

Fun, practical ways to use films in classrooms

Teachers use small, clever techniques that transform viewing into learning. These methods are simple but effective movie-based learning strategies.

1️⃣ “Pause at the Turning Point” technique

Stop the movie right when a character faces a dilemma and ask:

> What would you do?

> Why does this choice matter?

> What changes if the character chooses differently?

Learning: This builds reasoning skills without forcing analysis.

2️⃣ Popcorn-reflection circles

A fun and engaging activity where each student gets popcorn and shares:

> One moment that moved them

> One value that spoke to them

> One question the film raised

Learning: The circle becomes a safe, warm space for expression.

3️⃣ Frame-by-frame learning

Some educational institutions have used it for years. Show a powerful scene from Dangal or Hichki and analyse it frame by frame – expressions, tone, soundtrack, setting.

Learning: Students learn visual literacy, an essential 21st-century skill.

4️⃣ Regional cinema bridges

Films are not distractions; they are context builders. However, our nation’s strength lies in its diversity too.

> Court (Marathi): opens conversations around justice and the legal system

> Kannathil Muthamittal (Tamil): builds understanding of conflict and belonging

> Killa (Marathi): captures friendship and the journey of growing up

Learning: Films help students see beyond language and region.

What children learn without realising it

  • Courage through choices
  • Listening through silence
  • Kindness through small gestures
  • Resilience through mistakes
  • Unity through shared challenges
  • Identity through personal journeys

This is film education for students in its purest, simplest form – learning embedded in emotion.

Around the world, stories teach too

“Stories travel farther than facts, and more than instructions ever can.”

In Japan, the Children Meet Cinema programme allows Japan’s leading filmmakers to interact with children and make movies for the first time. A 2018 article, “Film Literacy in Secondary Schools Across Europe,“ notes that using cinema in class enriched students’ critical thinking and cultural awareness.

This aligns beautifully with India’s shift towards story-led learning, supported by creative teaching through films that strengthen understanding and expression.

Adults as guides in a story-led world

Learning grows gently when parents turn films into conversations. A shared viewing and a thoughtful question can help stories move beyond entertainment and into real understanding. Often, the lesson begins only after the credits roll.

Parents can strengthen story-based learning by:

  • Choosing films that spark empathy or curiosity
  • Asking what surprised the child, not just what they liked
  • Sharing their own reflections openly
  • Encouraging children to compare choices made by characters
  • Revisiting the film later to see what stayed

Films carry lessons that take time to settle, but when they do, they help children understand through feelings, respond and remember with clarity. With cinematic learning methods interwoven thoughtfully into everyday teaching, students connect values and ideas with surprising ease. Supported by simple movie-based learning strategies, movies allow young minds to connect with feeling, giving every learner a chance to grow with confidence and curiosity.

The Heart of a Soldier, The Mind of a Leader

Posted on by VIBGYOR Group of Schools

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Inspiring lessons from the Indian Army that help students learn resilience, responsibility, and resolve.

In this article, you can discover:
✅ Why Indian Army values matter to young learners
✅ The Sand Model: Choosing clarity before action
✅ Leadership: A page from Captain Vikram Batra’s life
✅ Responsibility: The story of Captain Shiva Chauhan
✅ Courage: A lesson from Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan
✅ Resilience: What Siachen teaches us
✅ Confidence: A chapter inspired by Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw
✅ Commitment: Lt. Col. Mitali Madhumita
✅ Teamwork: Lessons from the Madras Regiment
✅ Charting the obstacle course
✅ What this means for parents and students

Before dawn, a camp wakes quietly.

Someone checks a map. Someone ties their shoelaces.

Someone cracks a light joke to ease the cold morning air.

Nothing loud. Nothing dramatic. Just people starting their day with tiny rituals. In the Indian Army, leadership grows from these steady habits. Teamwork happens in silence, responsibilities are found in routines, and discipline holds everything together. These habits reflect the essence of Indian Army leadership lessons, offering young learners a way to understand responsibility through everyday choices.

Why Indian Army values matter to young learners

People often associate soldiers with strength, bravery, and uniforms. However, the real aspect lies in how they think, act, communicate, and stand together during adversities. Their decisions highlight patience, clarity, and fairness. These qualities can support students at home, in school and friendships.

The 2019 Ethics, Moral and Values in the Context of Military Leadership study supports this by highlighting integrity, discipline, professionalism, service and excellence as core Indian Army values and ethics that shape officer training.

These qualities, in turn, help students build confidence, resilience and a strong moral compass. It shows how children respond to challenges, how they treat peers, and how they resolve conflicts. Strong values do not form overnight. They grow with training – step by step, habit by habit.

The Sand Model: Choosing clarity before action

Before a mission, soldiers gather around a sand table or sand model, which is a small terrain map made with mud, stones and chalk. Every individual sees the route, and this simple visual helps everyone understand their roles and tasks better.

In classrooms and homes, the same lesson applies. Clarity helps students step forward without hesitation. When they know the instructions, purpose and expectations, they work with confidence rather than uncertainty.

Leadership

A page from Captain Vikram Batra’s life

One of the most widely remembered Indian Army leadership stories is that of Captain Vikram Batra. During the Kargil War, he led operations on Point 5140 and Point 4875. People remember him for his famous words, “Yeh Dil Maange More”. Yet, the deeper lesson lies in how he led. He moved ahead, supported his men and remained focused on duty even under threat.

His actions reflect a core truth: leadership begins with stepping up. For students, leadership might appear during group work, when they speak up to help a friend, or when they take the initiative that others avoid. Leading means moving first with intention.

This becomes one of the strongest army leadership principles that students can apply daily.

Responsibility

The story of Captain Shiva Chauhan

Sapper Shiva Chauhan’s story continues to offer the Indian Army motivation and inspiration. Shiva made history in 2023 as she became the first woman soldier posted at the Siachen Glacier. She trained for months – ice-craft, rock climbing, endurance – and completed her deployment, as temperatures dropped below –40°C. Responsibility is not always spotlight-driven. It grows in daily efforts such as, reaching school on time, completing assignments without reminders, practising for a competition, or taking charge of one’s mistakes. Parents support responsibility when they guide through dialogue instead of pressure, allowing children to learn through experience.

Courage

A lesson from Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan

Some moments test one’s courage. During the 26/11 Mumbai operation, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan entered the Taj Hotel with resolve and commitment to his team and the civilians trapped inside. His courage, till date, serves as a lesson in service and duty.

Courage is a highly relatable concept for students in schools too – standing up against unfairness, trying again after failure, sharing their feelings honestly, or meeting challenges with calmness. These choices create the foundation of how the Army leadership principles can inspire students. It is important to remember that courage belongs in these subtle moments just as much as in history books.

Resilience: What Siachen teaches us

On the Siachen Glacier, every breath is an effort. Cold cuts sharply through gloves and the air thins without warning. Soldiers work, rest, and rise again, and they train their bodies and their minds to remain steady when conditions feel unforgiving.

This is where resilience shows itself – staying focused especially when fatigue sets in. Students experience similar moments during exams, competitions, or personal setbacks. The pressure may look different, but the lesson remains the same: resilience is built by returning each day, trying again, and moving forward.

Confidence

A chapter inspired by Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw

Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw is remembered for strategy and humanity in the 1971 Indo-Pak conflict. His decisions reflected a leader who trusted his knowledge, remained composed, and understood people well. These traits shaped his leadership and earned him respect across forces. He showed how confidence grows through practice.

Every time students repeat a skill – speaking, writing, solving, performing – confidence takes root. Parents support this through encouragement, not comparison. Competence builds confidence step by step.

Commitment: Lt. Col. Mitali Madhumita

Lt. Col. Mitali Madhumita became the first women officer in the Army to receive the Sena Medal for Gallantry. After the Kabul attack in 2010, she entered a damaged building to rescue injured personnel and recover bodies despite risk and chaos.

For students, this means commitment and responsibility shown in tough moments: completing work even when difficult, helping others without being asked, and staying committed to what is right.

Teamwork

Lessons from the Madras Regiment

Established in 1758, the Madras Regiment is one of India’s oldest infantry formations. Their mornings begin with a shared prayer that builds unity and belonging. A regiment functions through trust, not pressure. When one rises, the group rises too. When one slows, the group adjusts their pace.

Students can learn teamwork through small gestures – sharing notes, dividing roles in a project, and checking on a classmate after a tough day. Parents can strengthen teamwork at home by involving children in household routines, decisions and celebrations. This is where teamwork grows through togetherness.

Charting the obstacle course

In Army training centres, obstacle courses challenge soldiers physically and mentally. They run, climb, crawl and balance across structures. What stands out is how teams move; nobody progresses alone. Leaders offer a hand where someone slips and waits when someone slows down.

A leader often finishes last, ensuring every person completes the course. True leadership supports the group. Students can mirror this by helping their peers understand lessons, revising with someone who struggles, or prioritising team success over personal credit.

Empathy grows when support is steady, and this is how the Indian Army builds strong leaders over generations.

What this means for parents and students

These stories breathe life into everyday behaviour. Leadership is nurtured within children through ordinary moments – decisions in classrooms, acts at home, habits that shape character.

For parents:
➡️ Give responsibilities that children can manage.
➡️ Celebrate their efforts before any achievements.
➡️ Guide their choices through conversation, not pressure.
➡️ Model behaviour gently – children copy what they see.		For students:
➡️ Step forward by taking responsibility.
➡️ Build habits that support your goals.
➡️ Help others succeed with you.
➡️ Treat setbacks as a stepping stone, not endings.

Each story above reflects what we can learn from the Indian Army in daily life, even without wearing a uniform. Leadership strengthens through daily habits, not overnight recognition.

Here’s what remains clear: inspiring leadership from the Indian Army does not rise from commands, but from character. Soldiers teach us that steady habits build strength, responsibility builds trust, and courage grows through effort. These everyday principles transform students into thoughtful citizens and families into stronger units. As we celebrate Indian Army Day on 15th January 2026, we carry one learning forward: great leadership shows up in consistent actions, not grand gestures.

A Touch of Green, A World of Growth

Posted on by VIBGYOR Group of Schools

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Prioritising joy, safety, and green spaces in every part of the school experience.

In this article, you’ll explore:
✅ The power of green in everyday learning
✅ Sustainable schools start with simple systems
✅ Climate literacy in classrooms
✅ Safety in green: Designing to protect and nurture
✅ Holistic impact of green campuses
✅ India’s green shifts in schools
✅ Overcoming challenges with green creativity
✅ Green lessons across borders
✅ Parents as partners in green learning

Picture this: Every morning, students step into a student-friendly campus carrying dreams that deserve room to grow. The light, air, and pathways shape how they learn and feel. A thoughtfully designed environment invites them to pause, play, and learn with joy and purpose.

“Education feels complete when children measure their limits by the sky, not by boundaries.”

Green campus spaces prioritise energy conservation, water efficiency, material reuse, and climate awareness. However, sustainability begins with small, thoughtful steps. When students participate, schools evolve into living ecosystems that nurture mindful, responsible learners.

The power of green in everyday learning

Time spent learning outdoors supports focus, relieves stress, and nurtures meaningful social and emotional connections. Studies indicate that students exposed to green environments display better attention spans and better emotional balance.

The 2020 article Association Between Green Space and Adolescents’ Mental Well-Being highlights that exposure to green spaces is tied to lower stress, better moods, healthier emotions, and improved behaviour in adolescents.

Eco-friendly schools encourage empathy, awareness, and a sense of shared responsibility. These are life values, visible in how students care for their surroundings, collaborate with peers, and connect learning with purpose.

Sustainable schools start with simple systems

Gardens are essential, but they are only part of what makes a campus sustainable. Eco-friendly schools utilise every corner wisely – well-lit classrooms and efficient water storage and management, which help students learn from these daily choices.

Climate literacy in classrooms

While infrastructure builds sustainability, education ensures continuity. The VIBGYOR Climate Academy, in collaboration with the Global Climate Academy (VGOS), stands as Asia’s first of its kind, empowering students to think critically about climate change, resource use, and sustainable innovation.

The Academy’s modules on renewable energy, biodiversity, and climate justice teach systems thinking – helping students see how small actions shape wider outcomes. They lead audits, conduct projects, and spread awareness, turning theory into real-world impact.

As Kavita Kerawalla, Vice Chairperson of VIBGYOR Group of Schools, writes, “Green campuses remind us that a better tomorrow begins with the small, thoughtful steps we take today.”

Safety in green: Designing to protect and nurture

A true student-friendly campus inspires confidence in every corner. In sustainable design, safety is both structural and emotional – the quiet assurance that children can move, play, and learn freely within spaces that protect without limiting them.

Shaded walkways, naturally lit classrooms, and well-ventilated areas reflect a school’s care for its community. For parents, these elements provide reassurance that safety and sustainability grow together, creating spaces built on trust, visibility, and mindfulness.

Visual pause: Everyday signs of safe green design

  • Bright classrooms with ample natural light.
  • Play zones that are safely away from vehicle areas.
  • Shaded, slip-resistant paths for easy movement.
  • Solar-lit walkways that improve safety after dusk.
  • Non-toxic materials that ensure healthy indoor air.

Holistic impact of green campuses

A touch of green inside a campus transforms education into a life experience. Students who learn in healthy learning environments show stronger focus, better emotional regulation, and deeper empathy.

Mental well-being
Students surrounded by greenery show a lower risk of psychiatric disorders. A research article revealed that exposure to green spaces during childhood has a 55% reduced risk of mental health issues later in life.
Academic focus
Students who spend time outdoors tend to retain concepts more effectively. The 2023 Time Outdoors Positively Associates with Academic Performance article states that spending up to 2.3 hours a day outdoors is linked with better outcomes across subjects.
Social development
Caring for plants builds teamwork and responsibility. In schools, garden tasks like watering or composting help students practice turn-taking, problem-solving, and respectful dialogue.

This holistic growth explains why eco-friendly schools are increasingly recognised as spaces that prepare children for life as much as for exams.

India’s green shifts in schools

Across India, school sustainability efforts are steadily gaining ground.

These initiatives succeed because they make responsibility a lived value, integrated into daily school life and community participation.

Overcoming challenges with green creativity

Even with intent, some schools still encounter challenges: limited space, budgets, or technical expertise. Yet, eco-conscious schools show that solutions often lie in creativity.

When schools innovate together with students and families, green campus initiatives become a lasting part of their culture.

Green lessons across borders

Around the world, education rooted in nature continues to evolve and inspire.

  • Scandinavia (Forest Schools): The concept of Forest Schools originated here, with children spending large parts of their day in outdoor lessons that build resilience and emotional regulation.

Parents as partners in green learning

Sustainability thrives when families mirror it at home. Every mindful action – saving energy, reducing waste, reusing resources – turns awareness into habit and reinforces what students learn at school.

A world of growth begins with a touch of green. Schools that embrace green campus initiatives and prioritise student wellness and nature nurture empathy, care, and balance beyond academics. Eco-friendly schools foster healthy learning environments where students thrive and develop into responsible, sustainable, and well-rounded individuals.

90 Days of Focus: The Ultimate Board Exam 2026 Plan

Posted on by VIBGYOR Group of Schools

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A practical and balanced study plan that helps you revise and master your subjects with confidence and clarity.

In this article, you’ll find:
✅ Why do the final 90 days matter?
✅ Three-phase blueprint: Your three-month study plan
✅ Mindset matters: Staying composed under pressure
✅ Parent-student equation: Creating a calm ecosystem
✅ The science behind smart preparation
✅ Global glimpses: Lessons from abroad
✅ 10-point checklist for students and parents

Think of Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 82 against Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.

Or Jemimah Rodrigues’s fearless 127 against Australia in the semifinals of the 2025 Women’s T20 World Cup.

The same steadiness defines Rohan Bopanna’s focus in a tiebreak and Sundar Pichai’s rise, shaped by years of persistence. Success grows out of preparation and staying calm under pressure. Board exams work the same way – the groundwork is done, and this is the moment to put it into action.

This 90-day study plan for the CBSE board exam 2026 is designed around three principles – momentum, balance, and confidence that help students stay calm and perform at their best.

Why do the final 90 days matter?

For most Class X and XII students, the early months of the academic year are spent attending lessons, finishing projects, and taking internal tests. The last 90 days of preparation for board exams turn all that learning into readiness. This is the phase where habits settle, focus deepens, and clarity increases.

Studies have shown that structured learning helps students retain knowledge for an extended period and reduces their anxiety before exams. Small daily goals build discipline and confidence, creating a sense of control. A well-defined board exam strategy 2026can turn effort into steady progress and stress into purpose.

Three-phase blueprint: Your three-month study plan

Here’s a simple, three-month guide to help students and parents create an achievable and balanced plan.

Month 1: Building a strong foundation (Days 1-30)

Goal: Cover the whole syllabus once, clearly and systematically.

  • Science and Maths: Solve 20-25 questions from previous years, every week.
  • Languages: Practice grammar, essays, and writing formats daily for at least 30 minutes.
  • Social Science: Prepare one-page chapter summaries for quick and easy recall.

Use Pomodoro cycles – 25 minutes of study followed by a five-minute break – to maintain better attention. The Impact of Spaced Learning on Student Performance and Motivation in Higher Education highlights how short breaks between focused sessions can improve memory and motivation.

Research also suggests that learning is more effective when students actively engage with the material rather than passively re-reading it.

The Strengthening Concept Learning by Repeated Testing article mentions that repeated retrieval strengthens long-term retention than simply re-reading notes.

Create a progress tracker to measure your growth every few days:

Subject              Chapters completed                   Mock papers practised                    Confidence (1-5)

Update this tracker every few days. It provides a quick overview of what has been done, what remains pending, and how confident students feel about each subject.

Month 2: Practice and performance (Days 31-60)

Goal: Strengthen recall and sharpen accuracy.

By the second month, students should shift to performance-based learning. Attempt one mock paper every third day, focusing on a different subject each time. Begin with open-book tests to refresh concepts, then switch to closed-book, timed practice by mid-month. After each test, dedicate one hour to reviewing mistakes and patterns.

Psychologists emphasise that shallow repetition (reading over and over) doesn’t stick as well as meaningful engagement with the material, which supports the pattern of establishing a solid study timetable for board exams.

Practical tips for a smooth study cycle:

  • Revisit weak topics regularly using your own error list.
  • Schedule short group study sessions twice a week to clarify doubts.
  • Stick to one subject instead of jumping between multiple subjects. This helps you stay focused and recall better. Avoid switching between subjects too often.

 Set up a mock test calendar:

Mark the test days in red.

Mark the days for self-review of errors and tricky questions in blue.

This plan creates accountability, making your preparation more efficient during the last 90 days of preparation for board exams and helping the mind stay centred through the process.

Month 3: The final countdown (Days 61-90)

Goal: Refine, revise, and rest with purpose.

This is the polishing phase – use a subject-wise study plan for the board exam 2026 to revisit key areas and focus on strong revision techniques.

  • Physics, Chemistry, and Math: Use flashcards to review formulas and practice numerical drills.
  • History, Economics, and Political Science: Create timelines, mind maps, and flowcharts for events and key terms.
  • Languages: Revisit past writing tasks, grammar exercises, and comprehension passages.

Rest is a crucial part of this cycle. The 2013 Sleep On It research found that lack of sleep can reduce learning ability by up to 40%. Seven to eight hours of sleep every night enhances retention and recall.

Evening routine reminder:

20 minutes of walking | 10 minutes of quiet reflection or gratitude journaling

Mindset matters: Staying composed under pressure

“Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” – John Wooden

The last stretch tests emotional endurance as much as academic preparation. During this phase, composure often decides performance. Staying calm matters more than chasing perfection. The board exam strategy 2026 is an opportunity to develop habits that build lifelong learners.

Try these techniques:

Ultimately, preparation is about balance – a calm mind paired with consistent effort always produces stronger results.

Parent-student equation: Creating a calm ecosystem

Board exam season can be as demanding for parents as it is for students. The anxiety of wanting children to do well often turns into pressure. What truly helps, though, is not constant reminders but calm routines, open communication, and steady encouragement.

How parents can help:

  • Swap “Did you study?” with “How did your revision go today?” – it invites conversation instead of tension.
  • Set aside one evening each week for family time – a walk, a movie, or a shared meal.
  • Remind your child to rest. Short breaks between study sessions refresh the mind and improve memory.

According to reports, experts emphasise that parents should maintain open and positive communication with their children, helping them handle exam results with resilience and ensuring they never feel judged or compared.

Global glimpses: Lessons from abroad

In Singapore, schools emphasise self-regulated learning and reflective thinking as key 21st-century skills, encouraging students to plan, monitor, and reflect on their progress to build lifelong learning habits.

In Japan, “Kaizen learning circles” focus on continuous micro-improvement—a philosophy Indian schools can easily adapt. Both systems share one idea: steady progress beats sudden sprinting.

10-point checklist for students and parents

1. Keep a realistic timetable with balanced study and rest.2. Revise difficult chapters early in the day when energy peaks.
3. Complete one subject at a time before switching.4. Attempt a full mock test every four or five days.
5. Review mistakes regularly; note key takeaways.6. Sleep and wake up at fixed times.
7.Stay hydrated and eat light, nutritious food.Take digital breaks, especially before bedtime.
Use mind-mapping to connect ideas after study sessions.Try the alternate nostril breathing technique before revision or tests.

The last 90 days of preparation for board exams call for endurance and discipline. Each day strengthens intent and sharpens direction. A strong board exam strategy 2026 thrives on focus, structure, and steady progress. For students and parents – consistent effort, composed thinking, and faith in the process make preparation meaningful and lead to the desired results.

Finding the Courage to Continue

Posted on by VIBGYOR Group of Schools

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Grades can be measured, but grit can’t. Building resilience can help you turn challenges into chances to grow. 

In this article, you can explore:
✅ The landscape: Why resilience matters now, more than ever
✅ What does resilience really mean?
✅ Real lives, real struggles: Stories of comebacks
✅ How does resilience relate to mental health?
✅ Growth mindset, gratitude, and happiness
✅ Why do students need resilience more than ever?
✅ Parents as everyday resilience coaches
✅ Simple ways to build resilience: A 7-day plan

These stories remind us that overcoming adversity begins with the right mindset. Every setback can spark strength; every challenge can deepen mental health and well-being. Resilience is about learning, adapting, and rising stronger together, ready for the next innings of life.

The landscape: Why resilience matters now, more than ever

In recent years, the mental health crisis among Indian students has made the headlines. Many of them face burnout, exam stress, social media anxiety, and uncertainty about the future. At such times, resilience becomes a necessity.

As per the 2022 Mental Health and Well-being of School Students survey, 81% of respondents mentioned that exams, studies, and results were significant causes of anxiety.

Moreover, studies in Telangana and Karnataka show that over 60% of students face sleep difficulties and 70% struggle with concentration in class.

This is where resilience comes in – the ability to recover, reflect, and rise after setbacks. It is a life skill that directly supports mental health and well-being, helping young minds handle pressure and emotional turbulence without breaking down.

What does resilience really mean?

Many view resilience as simply “grinning and bearing with it”, but it is misleading. In fact, resilience is a dynamic capacity to adapt and recover after too much adversity.

Here are some common types of resilience that psychologists identify:

  • Emotional resilience: Managing strong feelings when things don’t go your way.
  • Social resilience: Finding strength in friendships and support systems.
  • Cognitive resilience: Staying flexible in thinking and finding new ways to solve problems.

Each grows with time, experiences, and encouragement – from parents, teachers, and peers who model calm and compassion.

Real lives, real struggles: Stories of comebacks

When the odds stack up, resilience writes a different ending.

Take Swarajdeep Bhurve, a hearing-impaired student from Madhya Pradesh, who lost his father during the pandemic yet scored 81% in his HSC exams. His strength came from family, faith, and focus – a reminder that resilience is built, not born.

Or consider Walt Disney, who was fired from a newspaper job for “lacking imagination” and had several failed ventures before building his empire of storytelling and dreams – a powerful example of how belief in one’s vision can outlast rejection, shaping a legacy that continues to inspire dreamers.

How does resilience relate to mental health?

Resilience and mental health share a two-way connection. When resilience strengthens, anxiety lessens. When mental health and well-being are prioritised, resilience deepens. A resilient student may still feel sad after failure, but not defeated. On the other hand, a resilient parent balances care and challenge, offering comfort while problem-solving.

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”

This dynamic shows exactly how resilience relates to mental health. It is not about avoiding challenges, but building the strength to move through them.

Growth mindset, gratitude, and happiness

Growth mindset development is built on a simple truth: abilities can be developed through effort and learning. Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck’s decades of research show that students with a growth mindset consistently outperform students with a fixed mindset.

In India, this idea is shaping real classrooms. Delhi’s Happiness Curriculum, launched in 2018, integrates mindfulness and stress reduction into lessons for over eight lakh students across 1,000 government schools, encouraging children to pause, breathe, and express emotions.

Gratitude also plays a quiet yet powerful role. When students take time to appreciate small joys – a kind word, a helping hand, a moment of laughter – their minds learn to recover faster. Gratitude helps balance the brain’s negativity bias and directs focus toward what endures, not what disappears.

Why do students need resilience more than ever?

For students, resilience is not a bonus; it is a foundation. It guards against distress, supports learning, and keeps hope alive when life feels uncertain. Studies have shown that the concepts of resilience, psychological well-being, and quality of life share essential features for the effective functioning of an individual.

The search for identity Questions like “Am I capable enough?” or “Do I belong?” dominate adolescence, shaping self-esteem and motivation.
The social media effect Likes, comments, and comparisons amplify self-doubt, making emotional balance harder to hold.
The weight of expectations Academic demands and social competition often weigh heavily, dimming curiosity and joy in learning.
The future feels uncertain Changing job markets, career confusion, and the aftershocks of the pandemic add invisible weight to every decision.

Parents as everyday resilience coaches

Children learn resilience by observing it. When parents show calm under pressure or optimism during uncertainty, they teach growth mindset development in the most powerful way – by example.

Instead of fixing every problem, guide reflection with examples such as:

  • What can we learn from this?
  • What helped you last time?
  • Who can you ask for support?

These simple conversations activate self-awareness and strengthen emotional intelligence. When children see that effort matters more than outcome, they grow curious, confident, and capable of facing challenges, a true lesson in how to bounce back from adversity.

Simple ways to build resilience: A 7-day plan

Resilience grows through everyday actions, not extraordinary moments. Small steps taken consistently make a big difference.

DayFocusSimple action
Day 1Recognise adversityWrite “What challenge am I facing?” and name emotions.
Day 2MindfulnessTry a 7-minute guided body scan or breathing meditation.
Day 3GratitudeList three small things you are grateful for today.
Day 4ReframingWrite down one negative thought and a more helpful alternative.
Day 5Micro-goalPick one tiny step toward your goal (e.g. revise one subtopic).
Day 6KindnessDo one unexpected small kindness (help a peer, message a friend).
Day 1Recognise adversityWrite “What challenge am I facing?” and name emotions.

Over time, these habits, rooted in positive psychology practices, train students to recover faster, think clearly, and maintain inner balance.

Resilience in Indian culture and everyday life

India’s history is rich with stories of endurance and courage. From the steadfastness of Arjuna in the Mahabharata, who fought despite loss and doubt, to Eklavya’s determination to learn even without a teacher’s guidance, our epics have long celebrated perseverance and purpose.

Our freedom struggle, too, was a lesson in resilience. Mahatma Gandhi’s patience in adversity, Sarojini Naidu’s fearless advocacy, and Subhas Chandra Bose’s persistence despite exile remind us that endurance is part of India’s DNA.

In today’s India, resilience thrives in quiet corners – farmers rebuilding after floods, entrepreneurs recovering from loss, families staying united, and Mary Kom returning to the boxing ring after motherhood. It is a strength mirrored across the world when adversity strikes without warning – from the shock of the global COVID-19 pandemic to the uncertainties of wars and economic upheavals.

These instances prove that true strength lies not in avoiding hardship but in facing it with courage and conviction.

Every generation faces its own tests. For today’s students, it is digital overload, constant comparison, and the fear of “not being enough.” For parents, it is balancing care with calm.

But the message remains timeless: success begins with stability within. Let resilience be the heartbeat of every school, home, and heart. Because when we teach children how to bounce back from adversity, we prepare them not just for exams; we are preparing them for life.

Watch our webinar on ‘Building Resilience in Children’ to empower yourself with tools that will nurture your child’s emotional strength and confidence.

One Game, Infinite Lessons

Posted on by VIBGYOR Group of Schools

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From planning to perseverance, chess cultivates cognitive growth and life-ready skills in young learners.

In this article, you can explore:
✅ The rise of a thinking culture through chess
✅ Backed by science: What the brain gains from chess
✅ D. Gukesh: A mind trained early
✅ Moves that matter: How chess is powering progress
✅ A Guinness moment: India’s chess record
✅ Inclusivity on the chessboard
✅ Chess and the classroom: Where learning deepens
✅ Skills that students build through chess
✅ 5 ways schools can bring chess to life

♟ Pawn to d4

             ♞ Knight to f6

                                         ♝ Bishop to g5One board |  32 pieces |  Unlimited thinking

Chess is beyond kings and queens; it is cause and effect in motion. It inspires students to analyse patterns, anticipate outcomes, and make thoughtful decisions. In a world that moves fast, chess offers a pause – creating space for clarity, calm reasoning, and critical thinking. Every game becomes a quiet exercise in strategy, patience, and perspective.

The rise of a thinking culture through chess

Can a board game truly become a powerful educational tool and shape the minds of an entire generation?

India, the birthplace of chess, originally called Chaturanga, is witnessing a resurgence in the classroom. From Gujarat’s government schools to private institutions in Bengaluru, chess for education is growing. Teachers and parents alike are realising the educational benefits of chess in helping students think better and feel more confident.

Thought break:

  •  Can a student anticipate the outcome of their actions three steps ahead?

That’s precisely what chess teaches – anticipation, sequencing, and foresight.

Backed by science: What the brain gains from chess

Chess is a full brain workout that activates both sides of the brain. While the left side handles logic and calculations, the right supports creativity and pattern recognition. Together, this mental balance further promotes chess and brain development.

In fact, according to the Chunks in Chess Memory paper, cognitive scientists estimate that some chess masters hold over 50,000 chunks, or common board patterns, in their memory. That’s how chess improves focus and concentration and sharpens long-term memory.

Moves that matter: How chess is powering progress

In India and around the world, chess has always been a powerful educational tool and continues to be a quiet force for change, strengthening focus and cultivating thoughtful learners.

  • Tamil Nadu leads the way: The state will soon be home to an exclusive chess academy, the “Home of Chess”, which will operate under the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu.
  • Tripura’s young strategists take centre stage: In July 2022, Tripura hosted a U15 school chess tournament in Agartala, with 150 participants from tribal and rural schools, marking a strong push for chess in early education.
  • Victory in the virtual chess arena: In 2019, V.S. Rathanvel won the MPL Chess Mahayudh, India’s largest digital chess tournament, hosted by Mobile Premier League, which drew thousands of players, highlighting the boom in online chess.

Inclusivity on the chessboard

What’s more wonderful about chess is the fact that it transcends physical ability. Since its establishment in 1997, the All India Chess Federation for the Blind (AICFB) has enabled athletes with vision impairment to compete using tactile boards and voice-enabled tools.

One standout champion is Soundarya Kumar Pradhan, a para-athlete from Odisha, who has won multiple medals in major international events, including a silver at the World Junior Championship for the Blind in Poland (2018), gold at the IBCA World Team Championship (2022), and two medals at the Asian Para Games (2023).

For Soundarya and many like him, chess as a learning tool for kids boosts inclusivity and global representation.

Thought break:

  • Can a student stay composed when things go off plan?

Chess trains students to adapt without panic and re-evaluate under pressure.

Chess and the classroom: Where learning deepens

Communities across India are embracing chess, which is emerging as a catalyst for transformation. In July 2022, the Government Degree College, Khaltse (Ladakh), organised India’s first college-level chess event on International Chess Day, themed “Women in Chess”.

Meanwhile, the Odisha government is collaborating with FIDE to establish 100 chess centres and a fully funded chess academy, aimed at introducing strategic thinking and chess as a learning tool for kids across urban and rural communities.

VIBGYOR Group of Schools: Shaping young minds through chess

Across campuses, VIBGYOR Group of Schools has consistently recognised the value of chess as part of a well-rounded education. By integrating chess into school culture, we nurture analytical thinking, patience, and mental discipline in students.

VIBGYOR High Gurugram

In April 2025, the school hosted the Gurugram District Chess Championship, drawing enthusiastic participation across age groups. Organised by the District Chess Association, the tournament saw active participation across age groups and created a setting that encouraged strategic play and meaningful engagement. Backed by strong school leadership, the event reinforced the school’s role in promoting chess as a learning tool for kids, blending academics with real-world reasoning skills.

VIBGYOR Rise School, Nashik

On International Chess Day 2025, in collaboration with the Revolutionary Chess Club, the school hosted a large-scale chess tournament on campus. The event reflected the school’s focus on holistic education, combining physical, intellectual, and emotional development. With a modern learning space and an inclusive spirit, the tournament inspired strategic thinking, composure, and leadership in every participant, amplifying the school’s commitment to nurturing cognitive and personal growth.

The efforts of using chess in classrooms build curiosity, discipline, and foresight – encouraging young minds to think not just about moves, but also about meaning. Using chess to improve students’ analytical skills supports both academic and personal growth.

Thought break:

  • Does chess teach students to win with grace and lose with perspective?

Chess does both, quietly and consistently.

Skills that students build through chess

Chess for students’ mental skills goes beyond strategy and pieces. It nurtures essential abilities that shape sharper thinkers:

As a parent, you can support the journey by:

  • Encouraging chess not for competition, but for cognition.
  • Making it part of your child’s routine, just 15 minutes daily.
  • Using free, age-appropriate online platforms or joining local clubs.
  • Partnering with your school to advocate for using chess in classroom sessions.
  • Celebrating small wins, every small step is progress.

Chess for education encourages students to think ahead, stay calm under pressure, and respond with clarity. Its value lies in shaping sharper thinkers, compassionate leaders, and confident decision-makers. As this ancient Indian game finds new meaning in classrooms, communities, and competitions, it becomes a powerful educational tool for lifelong learning. Every move teaches intention, discipline, and reflection. For a generation growing up in a distracted world, chess offers something rare – quiet, focused growth.



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