he beginning of the year is a bad time to be a two to five-year-old child in India.

This is when the dreaded tests for admissions to school are held.

Your toddler's future literally depends on his/ her performance in this admission test.

Helping children make the grade are a bunch of dedicated interview trainers, for what of a better word! 

Get Ahead spoke to Preeti Shekhawat, Jharna Doshi, Neha Shah, Chavla Dayal and Jasmine Sampath, who specialise in training toddlers for pre-admission interviews. 

Here are some suggestions they have made to help you through this tough time:

• The ABC of school interviews

1. Be aware of what your child should be familiar with

Most schools are pretty clear about what they want the child to know when s/he comes in for an interview.

Says Preeti Shekhawat, "Most children start pre-school early and are aware of the basic alphabet, numbers and alphabet sounds. The admission test is on the child's lateral thinking skills, how s/he child reacts under pressure and his/her confidence level. And on whether the child can follow simple instructions."

"Most reputed playschools teach what the child is required to know. If you have chosen a good playschool, you can rest assured your child knows his/ her stuff. Revise concepts with your child every day. Even five minutes a day will give your child the edge," says Jasmine Sampath.

2. Start well before admission season

"I start with two-and-a-half-year olds," says Chavla Dalal.

"Parents are warned there will be no marked improvement in the first couple of months. Only after that do they see a change in their child. By the time the admission tests are near, the children are ready with everything."

"I start working with the child in January for a December interview," says Jharna Doshi.

"Children are so fantastically stimulated that teaching them is a joy. They are like sponges. Start early, with barely five minutes a day with your child. Increase the time you spend with the kid to about half an hour, including writing," says Preeti.

3. Move from formal learning

"Your child need not do one page of writing every day. That is not what this is about. The playschool takes care of that anyway. It is about teaching your child through the environment," says Jharna.

"Take your child to the market, point out the fruits and vegetables there. Point out the buses and cars on the road. Draw your child's attention to alphabets on hoardings."

"Make time for your child," adds Chavla. "Fathers need to make time for the kids. The male point of view is particularly important."

"Answer questions that your child comes up with from an early age. Make learning fun," says Jasmine.

"Today, there are toys on opposites, picture talk, sequencing. There are so many methods of teaching concepts to a child. They actually making learning fun and easy," says Preeti.

4. Don't get stressed. Be confident

As the day for the admission test approaches, don't stress about the fate of your child.

"Your child is bound to pick up things from your body language. Be calm before the test. If you tell people, 'Oh, I am so worried about the admission. I don't know what this fellow will do', it will obviously work against the child's confidence level," states Chavla.

"Apply to many schools. Don't get stuck if the one school you have set your heart on rejects your child. After all, it is not the school's fault if you have not applied elsewhere," says Jharna.

"Take the first high school that gives you admission. Once that is done, the stress levels will fall, leaving you and your child mentally free to give other entrance tests your best shot. This is not the epicentre of your existence. Being four is a lovely age. Enjoy your child."

5. Before the interview

"Take a break. Take your child on a relaxed evening out. Don't try to cram in any additional information into the child's brain at that late stage," advises Jharna.

"Get together with your child to decide what clothes she would like to wear," Chavla elaborates. "What accessories she would like on her hair. What breakfast s/ he would like. Walk her through the interview process. All this will help put your child at rest."

"Quick revisions of concepts," Preeti believes, "is really wonderful for the child. But do it in small doses and not on the last day."

True, it is difficult as parents to cast off the stress. But make interview time as hassle-free for your child as possible.

Most of all, have faith in your child, bolster his/ her confidence. After all, if you aren't on his/ her side who else will be?

Illustration: Dominic Xavier