My son’s first day at his new nursery school was anything but easy.
He has always needed time to adjust to new environments, and this was no different. The preschool was small, tucked inside a tech park—a single cozy classroom that could accommodate about 10–15 children. Watching those tiny kids sitting, eating, playing, and chatting together felt incredibly nostalgic.
But for my son, it was overwhelming.
He walked into the classroom, and soon after, the door closed. Within minutes, it was clear—he wasn’t ready. Sitting still for even 15 minutes seemed impossible. Every time the door opened, he would dash out, with his teacher running behind him. This went on for 4–5 days.
Then one day, the education coordinator called me. She gently explained, “Atharv isn’t settling down. He’s not sitting in class.”
What worried me more was that this wasn’t his first preschool—it was his third.
That night, I decided to try something different. Instead of instructions, I told him a story.
It was about two friends—Cheeku and Meeku.
Both had just started going to a new preschool. Everything was new for them. Cheeku chose to sit quietly, listen carefully, and observe what was happening around him. Meeku, on the other hand, couldn’t sit still. He kept getting up, wandering around, and missing what was being taught.
Slowly, Cheeku began to learn and adapt, while Meeku struggled because he wasn’t paying attention.
At the end of the story, I repeated three simple words:
“Sit. Listen. Observe.”
Something about those words stayed with him.
The next day, I shared the story with his teacher and requested her to gently remind him, “You are Cheeku—sit, listen, and observe.”
And just like that, something clicked.
It felt almost magical. He began to settle down, started sitting in class, and gradually adapted to his new school environment.
His teacher was delighted. She appreciated the approach and acknowledged the effort I had put in as a mother.
Sometimes, all it takes is a simple story—and three small words—to make a big difference.