CBSE introduces new Parenting Calendar with grade-specific activities for 2025-26 academic year – The Times of India

CBSE Parenting Calendar 2025: In a bid to foster stronger collaboration between parents and schools, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) launched its much-anticipated Parenting Calendar for the 2025-26 academic session. The event, held at CBSE’s headquarters in Delhi, was attended by key dignitaries, including CBSE Chairman Shri Rahul Singh, Secretary Shri Himanshu Gupta, and Controller of Exams Dr. Sanyam Bhardwaj.
The virtual launch, which saw participation from over 32,000 stakeholders including principals, teachers, counselors, wellness experts, and parents from CBSE-affiliated schools across India, was designed to present a new tool for encouraging holistic student development. The event also included the presence of several prominent school principals and education experts, some of whom joined virtually.
A Collaborative Effort to Strengthen School-Parent Relationships
At the heart of the launch was the emphasis on the Parenting Calendar as a tool to enhance school-parent communication. Shri Rahul Singh highlighted the calendar as a guiding resource for parents, rather than a prescriptive set of instructions. He described the calendar as a vital bridge between parents and educators, emphasizing its flexible, grade-specific framework that allows schools to adapt it to their individual needs.
Shri Himanshu Gupta, CBSE Secretary, pointed out the importance of parental involvement in education and stressed that the calendar’s grade-specific activities are designed to foster comprehensive student development. “Education is a shared responsibility,” he said, encouraging parents, schools, and students to work together for meaningful learning outcomes.
Dr. Sanyam Bhardwaj, Controller of Exams, applauded the committee’s efforts, noting the importance of integrating the calendar into school curricula. He stressed that active participation from all stakeholders would be crucial to its success.
Key Features of the Parenting Calendar
The Parenting Calendar is organized around the 4R framework — Relationship Building, Rejoicing, Reflection, and Reinforcement. Developed with input from educators, parents, and surveys, the calendar provides a wealth of grade-specific activities aimed at enhancing parent-child engagement and encouraging holistic development.
Ms. Anuradha Joshi, Convener of the Committee behind the calendar, elaborated on its evidence-based approach. “We’ve designed activities that are not only age-appropriate but also foster meaningful interaction between parents and children,” she said. The calendar’s versatility allows schools to tailor the activities to their specific academic calendars.
Grade-Specific Activities for Holistic Development
The Parenting Calendar offers diverse activities that cater to various age groups:
• Nursery & Kindergarten: Family bonding through storytelling, music, puzzles, and DIY science experiments.
• Grades 1-2: Outdoor learning, traditional games, and STEM challenges to ignite curiosity.
• Grades 3-5: Science experiments, cultural activities, and role-reversal days where children teach parents new skills.
• Grades 6-8: Skill swaps, collaboration sessions, and sustainable project challenges.
• Grades 9-10: Career mentoring, digital detox initiatives, and arts participation.
• Grades 11-12: Career mentorship, financial literacy challenges, and family value exercises.
These activities are designed to encourage meaningful parent-child interactions that go beyond the classroom, promoting academic growth and emotional development.
Promoting Holistic Education
The launch of the Parenting Calendar aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to extend learning beyond the classroom. The initiative is part of CBSE’s continued commitment to providing a holistic education that nurtures the academic, emotional, and social well-being of students.
Schools are encouraged to adapt and customize the Parenting Calendar’s activities to fit their academic calendars and specific student needs, ensuring that it serves as a valuable tool for strengthening the school-parent relationship and enhancing student growth.
By involving parents in the educational journey, CBSE aims to create a collaborative environment where both schools and families work together to guide students toward a well-rounded and successful future.