SCHOOL & HOME, WORKING TOGETHER
Parents' Note
Children thrive when the adults around them offer safety, encouragement and a good example. These everyday habits help us raise confident, caring and responsible young people.
Three promises that matter every day
- Keep vehicle keys out of children's reach. Never allow underage or unlicensed driving.
- Stay involved in digital life. Avoid unrestricted personal smartphone access; supervise learning and communication.
- Make home a safe place to speak. Listen without threats, humiliation or fear.
01 · DIGITAL WELLBEING
Guide the screen. Protect childhood.
Practical tips for your family
- We encourage families to delay unrestricted personal smartphone use, especially below 16, and maintain age-appropriate guidance throughout the teenage years. This is school guidance, not a claim of a government phone ban at 16 or 18.
- Use shared devices for a clear purpose, agree on time limits together, and keep meals, study time and bedtime free from unnecessary screens.
- Check age ratings, privacy settings, downloads and online contacts. Teach children never to share passwords, OTPs, their location or private photographs.
- If a child faces online bullying or an uncomfortable message, listen calmly, save relevant evidence and seek help. Do not blame the child for telling you.
- Model the same habits yourself: put the phone aside when your child wants to talk.
02 · ROAD & TRANSPORT SAFETY
Safety comes before convenience.
Practical tips for your family
- Do not give a child a motorcycle, scooter or car to drive without the legal age and valid licence for that vehicle.
- Use correctly fitted helmets and seat belts as appropriate. Avoid overcrowding, speeding and phone use while driving.
- Teach children to wait safely at bus stops, board only when the bus has stopped and follow the driver's or attendant's instructions.
- Inform the school when pickup arrangements change. Ensure children know who is authorised to collect them.
Sections 3 and 4 cover licensing and age: driving in public places generally requires age 18 and a valid licence. A limited exception from 16 applies to motorcycles not exceeding 50 cc, subject to licensing requirements; it is not general permission to ride any scooter.
Section 5 prohibits owners from permitting ineligible drivers. Under Section 199A, juvenile offences can expose a guardian or owner to up to three years' imprisonment and a Rs. 25,000 fine, subject to statutory exceptions and defences. Vehicle registration and the juvenile's future licensing can also be affected.
Read the Act: sections 3, 4, 5 and 199A03 · FOOD, REST & MOVEMENT
Healthy routines support learning.
Practical tips for your family
- Offer regular meals with a variety of vegetables, fruit, grains and protein foods such as dal, beans, milk or curd, eggs or other family-appropriate choices.
- Send safe drinking water and a balanced lunch. Choose everyday foods over frequent sugary drinks and heavily processed snacks.
- Respect allergies, dietary needs and age-appropriate food textures. Tell the school about relevant health needs and prescribed medication.
- Keep a consistent sleep routine and make time for outdoor play and movement.
- Avoid weight comparisons, food shaming and unnecessary protein supplements. Discuss growth or nutrition concerns with a qualified clinician.
04 · A RESPECTFUL HOME
Children learn from what we do.
Practical tips for your family
- Speak respectfully. Avoid abusive language, insults and discriminatory remarks around children.
- Handle adult disagreements away from children. Never ask them to take sides, carry angry messages or solve adult conflicts.
- When children witness an argument, reassure them that it is not their fault. Show them that adults can apologise and resolve differences respectfully.
- Use calm boundaries and encouragement instead of hitting, threats or public humiliation.
- Spend a little time listening each day. Praise effort, honesty and kindness, not only marks or rank.
05 · READY FOR SCHOOL
Neat, comfortable and prepared.
Practical tips for your family
- Help children arrive in a clean, well-fitting uniform with tidy footwear and good personal hygiene.
- Prepare books, homework, lunch and water the previous evening; label belongings clearly.
- Encourage punctuality and regular attendance. Inform the school promptly about absence or illness.
- Support independence with age-appropriate tasks rather than doing every task for the child.
- If uniform or supplies are difficult to afford, speak privately with the office. A child's dignity must always come first.
06 · CONFIDENCE & CHILD SAFETY
Help them know they can tell you.
Practical tips for your family
- Teach personal boundaries and body safety in age-appropriate language. Children should know they can say no to unwanted touch and tell a trusted adult.
- Take bullying, exclusion and changes in mood seriously. Listen first and work with the school without labelling or blaming children.
- Keep medicines, cleaning chemicals, sharp objects and vehicle keys safely stored.
- Check published attendance and progress through your parent account. Discuss difficulties with teachers early, without comparing your child to others.
- Keep school contact details current. Share concerns privately with staff instead of circulating children's photos, marks or personal problems in public groups.
SIMPLE MEAL IDEAS
Everyday food. A balanced day.
Illustrative combinations, not prescribed diets. Adjust portions to appetite, age, activity, allergies and medical advice. Offer water throughout the day; do not force children to finish portions.
| Stage | Breakfast | Lunch | Snack & dinner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-primary | Soft idli with sambar; curd if suitable | Soft rice, dal and cooked vegetables | Soft fruit; vegetable khichdi at dinner. Prepare safe bite-sized textures. |
| Primary | Vegetable poha with curd or egg | Rice or roti, beans/dal, vegetables and curd | Fruit; roti with dal or a family-appropriate protein food at dinner |
| High school | Dosa with sambar and milk/curd if suitable | Rice or roti, pulses/egg/fish as preferred, vegetables | Fruit and a suitable protein snack; varied home-cooked dinner |
Use affordable local foods. Whole nuts and hard pieces can be choking hazards for young children. These examples follow the variety-and-balance approach in ICMR-NIN guidance.
A SMALL CHECK. AN IMPORTANT PROTECTION.
Growing up. Keeping protection up to date.
Keep your child's immunisation card handy. These school-age milestones are a reminder to check it with your health centre.
- 5–6 yearsDPT booster 2
- 10 yearsTd vaccine
- 16 yearsTd vaccine
Take the card to your health centre or paediatrician to check missed doses and individual needs.
HPV campaign and additional guidance
The government announced an HPV vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls in 2026. Ask your health centre about current eligibility and access. These selected reminders are not a complete vaccination or catch-up schedule.
మీ పిల్లల టీకాల కార్డును భద్రంగా ఉంచండి. ఈ వయసుల్లో ఇవ్వాల్సిన టీకాల గురించి ఆరోగ్య కేంద్రంలో తెలుసుకోండి.
- 5–6 సంవత్సరాలుడీపీటీ రెండో బూస్టర్
- 10 సంవత్సరాలుటీడీ టీకా
- 16 సంవత్సరాలుటీడీ టీకా
టీకాల కార్డును ఆరోగ్య కేంద్రం లేదా పిల్లల వైద్యుడికి చూపించి, మిగిలిపోయిన టీకాలు మరియు మీ బిడ్డకు అవసరమైన సంరక్షణ గురించి తెలుసుకోండి.
హెచ్పీవీ టీకా మరియు మరిన్ని వివరాలు
2026లో 14 ఏళ్ల బాలికల కోసం హెచ్పీవీ టీకా కార్యక్రమాన్ని ప్రభుత్వం ప్రకటించింది. ప్రస్తుతం ఉన్న అర్హతలు, అందుబాటు గురించి ఆరోగ్య కేంద్రంలో అడగండి. ఇవి కొన్ని ముఖ్యమైన సూచనలు మాత్రమే; పూర్తి టీకాల పట్టిక కాదు.