The landscape of early education is quietly but profoundly changing. What was once viewed primarily as a preparatory phase for formal schooling is now being recognised as a critical foundation for a child’s emotional, social, and cognitive development. At the heart of this shift lies a growing realisation: parents are no longer peripheral to early education—they are central to it.
As preschool education becomes more holistic and child-centric, experts across the education and wellness sectors are calling for a deeper, more intentional involvement of parents in the learning journey. Among them is Sanjay Desai, author, entrepreneur, and Founder & CEO of ConsciousLeap, who believes that conscious parenting is fast becoming one of the most powerful forces shaping early childhood outcomes.
Early education is no longer just about academics
For decades, early education focused largely on basic literacy, numeracy, and school readiness. Today, that definition has expanded. Preschool classrooms are increasingly seen as spaces where emotional intelligence, social behaviour, self-awareness, and identity formation begin to take shape.
This evolution reflects a broader understanding within the education ecosystem: children learn not only through structured instruction but through relationships, environments, and emotional safety. In this context, the role of parents extends far beyond logistical support or homework supervision.
“Preschool is not just about teaching children what to think,” Desai notes, “but about helping them learn how to feel, respond, reflect, and relate.”
Parents as strategic partners in learning
Modern early education frameworks increasingly view parents as co-educators, not spectators. Research consistently shows that children thrive when there is continuity between home and school—when values, emotional cues, and learning approaches are reinforced across environments.
This has led to a strategic shift in how early learning institutions operate. Many now actively involve parents through:
- Regular communication and feedback loops
- Parenting workshops and emotional literacy sessions
- Home-based learning activities aligned with classroom goals
- Guidance on behavioural and emotional development
This collaborative approach acknowledges a simple truth: the child’s first and most influential classroom is the home.
Conscious parenting: beyond instruction, towards presence
At the centre of this movement is the concept of conscious parenting, a philosophy that prioritises awareness, empathy, and intentional engagement over control or rigid instruction.
Desai emphasises that young children learn primarily through observation and emotional resonance. “By creating safe spaces for curiosity, encouraging questions without judgment, and modelling empathy and resilience,” he explains, “parents lay the foundation for a lifetime of meaningful learning.”
This approach aligns closely with global trends in early childhood education, where emotional regulation, curiosity, and resilience are considered just as important as cognitive skills.
Alignment with NEP 2020 and policy direction
In India, this shift is also supported at the policy level. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 places strong emphasis on early childhood care and education (ECCE), recognising ages 3 to 8 as a crucial developmental window.
NEP 2020 advocates for:
- Holistic development across physical, emotional, and cognitive domains
- Play-based and activity-based learning
- Strong family and community engagement
The policy implicitly acknowledges that institutional reform alone is insufficient without parental alignment. Parents are not external to the education system—they are an integral part of it.
Emotional learning as an industry priority
Across the education sector, there is increasing consensus that emotional intelligence is foundational to long-term success. Skills such as self-awareness, empathy, adaptability, and emotional regulation are now recognised as predictors of academic performance, mental wellbeing, and future employability.
Desai’s work at ConsciousLeap reflects this understanding. The organisation promotes experience-based and reflection-oriented learning methods that help children—and parents—develop emotional literacy.
Key pillars of this approach include:
- Self-awareness and emotional naming
- Learning through real-world experiences
- Reflection rather than rote instruction
These principles are increasingly being adopted by early learning centres seeking to prepare children not just for school, but for life.
Mental wellbeing: a long-term investment, not an add-on
One of the most critical aspects of parental involvement is its impact on mental wellbeing. Early emotional experiences shape how children cope with stress, build relationships, and develop confidence later in life.
“Consciously integrating mental wellbeing with academic learning, especially in the early years, is one of the most powerful investments we can make,” Desai says. “Not just for children, but for society as a whole.”
Industry experts echo this view, warning that neglecting emotional development in early years can lead to long-term challenges, including anxiety, behavioural issues, and learning difficulties.
By contrast, children raised in emotionally supportive environments tend to demonstrate stronger resilience, better communication skills, and healthier self-esteem.
Schools and parents: a shared responsibility
As expectations from early education institutions rise, so does the need for parent education and empowerment. Schools alone cannot address the complex developmental needs of young children.
Forward-looking preschool ecosystems now aim to:
- Educate parents on child psychology and emotional development
- Encourage consistent routines and emotional language at home
- Foster trust-based partnerships rather than hierarchical relationships
This shared responsibility model recognises that sustainable learning outcomes emerge when parents and educators operate as allies, not silos.
Looking ahead: redefining success in early education
The evolving role of parents marks a broader redefinition of success in early education. Achievement is no longer measured solely by early reading or writing skills, but by a child’s ability to express emotions, collaborate, adapt, and remain curious.
As India’s education ecosystem continues to mature, embedding conscious parenting into early education strategy will be essential—not optional. It represents a shift from transactional schooling to transformational learning.
In this emerging paradigm, parents are not simply preparing children for school. They are shaping future citizens—emotionally aware, resilient, and capable of navigating an increasingly complex world.
Also Read: https://educationpost.in/news/education/panjab-university-delays-exams-as-student-protest-over-senate-polls-intensifies
https://thenewstudent.com/national-task-force-student-wellbeing/