If you could give your child just one gift, what would it be? Unconditional love? Freedom? Maybe just being their best buddy? At Aarohi, we think the best gift ever is support. Support to discover who they are, to explore their strengths, and to grow into their unique selves. It’s about standing by them, believing in their potential, and letting them lead their own journey of learning and growth.
The swimming pool scene every summer
This is what I observe in the swimming pool every summer. Some children splashing joyfully, others trying to swim the moment they hit the water. A few sit on the steps, making up games with water, while some simply avoid the pool altogether. And yet, many parents are eager for their kids to learn swimming right away. The fun of summer often turns into an agenda.
Each child has their own way of exploring water. Some might take time to familiarize themselves; others might dive right in. If we rush them to our expectations, we’re taking away their chance to learn in their own style. True learning happens when children are allowed to explore freely.
The beauty of explorations
Exploration is not about achieving a specific outcome—it’s about discovery. When children explore without pressure, they develop critical skills like problem-solving, creativity, and resilience. Even if there’s no visible result at the end of an exploration phase, the process itself is deeply enriching. It teaches children about themselves—their interests, capabilities, and boundaries.
As parents, we often see exploration as a binary outcome: success or failure. What if we started celebrating the learning that happens along the way? Every try, every “oops,” every little win—it all adds up to growth.
why supporting strengths matter
Many of the characters of Ruskin Bond’s books embark on journey of self-discovery, encouraging children to explore their potential and embrace their individuality. His beloved character, Rusty, from The Room on the Roof and other works, offers a classic example of self-discovery and individuality. Rusty’s journey reflects the importance of exploring one’s strengths and embracing one’s identity, At Aarohi, we resonate deeply with this philosophy, constantly working to align with children’s strengths and empower them to explore their potential.
When we take away a child’s self-agency—their ability to make decisions and act independently—we deprive them of valuable learning experiences. At Aarohi, this principle is at the heart of everything we do. We align with each child’s unique strengths and empower them to be self-learners.
Following are the few ways Aarohi supports children in discovering their strengths
1. The Power of Choice
When kids make their own choices, they feel a sense of ownership over their learning. This builds self-agency and confidence. Many possibilities from our living at the campus to choose and experience our own inner strength. We’ve seen kids make everything from heat sealing machines for our store to self-watering systems for the garden. The possibilities are endless! It’s not just about finding what they’re good at, but also about stumbling onto new passions.
Along with choice comes responsibility. At Aarohi, children are encouraged to reflect on their decisions through self-assessment and feedback from mentors. Without the weight of expectations, kids can pursue what genuinely excites them rather than what others expect from them. We celebrate failure and success with the same enthusiasm.
2. Execution: Turning Choices into Action
Freedom alone isn’t enough—children need opportunities to act on their choices. Aarohi creates an environment where kids can execute their ideas and learn through doing.
Whether it’s building something, solving real-world problems, or experimenting with new skills, doing is central to growth. Execution involves observing, trying, failing, and sometimes succeeding—it’s non-linear but deeply impactful. Through execution, children develop critical life skills like independence, resilience, collaboration, and creative thinking.
3. Voice: Let Them Be Heard
At Aarohi, every child has a voice—and it matters. Self-agency is incomplete without the freedom to express thoughts, feelings, and ideas. Children are encouraged to share their perspectives openly. We listen without judgment or comparison because every child deserves to feel valued. When kids know their opinions matter, they feel empowered to take charge of their learning journey.
4. Patience Over Perfection
As parents and mentors, patience is key when supporting a child’s strengths. It’s not about pushing them toward perfection but allowing them the time and space to grow at their own pace. Recognize every step forward—no matter how small. Trust your child to navigate their path while being there as a guide when needed. Sometimes kids will surprise you with interests or talents you didn’t expect—embrace these moments!
5. Create Opportunities for Growth
Children need experiences that help them develop their strengths further: Encourage hobbies or projects aligned with their interests. Expose them to diverse activities so they can discover new passions. Provide tools and resources that support independent exploration. Supporting your child isn’t about molding them into who you think they should be—it’s about helping them discover who they already are. Our role is simply to provide the environment, tools, and encouragement they need to thrive.
Before pushing your child toward goals set by you or the system, take a moment to ask what they truly want. Supporting them to explore life on their own terms is where real learning happens. At Aarohi, education focuses on self-understanding and building skills around each child’s unique strengths. The greatest gift we can give is aligning with their needs, strengths, and dreams.