Opinions

Mon, 28 Jul

What I Saw as a Parent vs. What the Teacher Saw in My Child

Let me start by saying I’m not the kind of parent who jumps into trends.

Online classes? Sure, I tolerated them during the pandemic.

Public speaking for kids? I thought it was a little too much — especially for a 7-year-old who still clings to my arm when we meet strangers.

But here I am, writing a full-blown blog about a platform called PlanetSpark that, to be honest, I almost didn’t sign up for.

The First Week: Confused, Cautious, and Kinda Judgy

I signed up for the trial class only because a friend wouldn’t stop raving about it.

“She’s become so confident!” she said about her daughter. “She even hosted my birthday party!”

I chuckled and thought, Good for you, but that’s not my kid.

Still, I gave it a shot.

The trial class felt energetic but a little chaotic. The teacher was cheerful — maybe too cheerful for my taste. My son looked confused. I looked at my husband and whispered, “I’m not sure this is for us.”

Later that night, I opened the refund policy in another tab.

►CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR FREE DEMO

The Turning Point: A Compliment from a Stranger

It was the third class that changed everything.

We were visiting my sister's place, and my son suddenly said, “Masi, want to hear a fun story with a twist?”

He then launched into a short story he had written in his class, complete with expressions, gestures, and even voice modulation. My sister clapped. My husband looked shocked. I… blinked.

Where did this come from?

When I asked him later, he casually said, “Ma’am taught us how to hook the listener. Did you like my twist?”

That night, I closed the refund tab.

From There, Things Picked Up Fast

Every class seemed to awaken something new in him.

One week, it was storytelling.
The next, he learned how to structure a speech.
Then came debates — and I’ll admit, I was nervous. My child barely speaks up at birthday parties.

But during one session, I peeked in and saw him raising his hand, trying to make a counterpoint about “Why homework should be optional.” (He lost that debate, but gained a lot more.)

He wasn’t just learning to speak — he was learning to think.

The Teacher’s Feedback That Made Me Cry (Almost)

About six weeks in, we got a progress review from his PlanetSpark teacher.

She said something I’ll never forget:

“Your son started out very quiet and unsure. Now, he’s the one volunteering for warm-up games. He even encourages others. He has a natural flair for humor in storytelling — and he doesn’t even realize it.”

I had tears in my eyes. Not because she said he was doing well — but because she noticed him.

As a parent, there’s nothing more comforting than knowing someone else sees your child’s strengths.

She wasn’t just teaching. She was observing, nurturing, and empowering.

What Changed in My Son?

Here’s what I noticed:

  • He stopped mumbling. He now makes eye contact while speaking.

  • He thinks before speaking. Sometimes, he’ll say, “Let me structure this better.”

  • He’s more independent. He practices speeches without being told.

  • He enjoys reading. Because he wants to tell better stories.

He’s still the same child — sensitive, a little shy at times. But he’s no longer afraid of expressing himself.

That, for me, is a win.

Honest Pros (Because Not Everything Is Perfect)

Now let me be real. Every rose has thorns, right?

🌟 Pros:

  • Incredible teachers: I’ve interacted with two so far. Both were patient, energetic, and genuinely invested.

  • Fun and engaging content: The curriculum is smartly designed — they sneak in lessons without making it feel like learning.

  • Visible progress: It’s not just “he’s improving.” I can see and hear the difference.

  • Convenient: Classes happen from home. No traffic, no rushing.

🤔 Cons:

  • Price point: It’s not cheap. I hesitated. But compared to the transformation I’ve seen — it now feels worth every rupee.

  • Requires parent patience: If you're expecting magic in week one, don’t. It’s a slow build.

  • Screen fatigue: On some days, especially after school, it felt like too much. But we adjusted the timing and that helped.

The Most Important Lesson (For Me as a Parent)

In the beginning, I was fixated on results.

I wanted him to speak confidently now.
I wanted perfect body language yesterday.
I wanted ROI in three classes.

But what PlanetSpark helped me learn is that confidence is not a switch — it’s a process.

And in that process, I also grew as a parent. I stopped rushing. I started watching.

Now, I celebrate the little things:

  • A new word he uses correctly

  • A joke he tells in perfect timing

  • A debate he loses but handles maturely

Would I Recommend PlanetSpark?

Short answer: Yes — but only if you’re willing to trust the process.

If you think public speaking is about memorizing scripts or putting on fake confidence, this is not the place.

But if you want your child to find their voice, express their thoughts, and grow in self-assurance — this is the right platform.

►CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR FREE DEMO

Final Words: From One Parent to Another

I’m not writing this because someone asked me to.

I’m writing this because I know what it feels like to hesitate. To second-guess. To worry if you’re doing the right thing for your child.

PlanetSpark wasn’t an instant miracle. But it was a quiet revolution in my home.

And the biggest change?

My son now says, “Can I host the family game night this weekend?”

That’s not just confidence.

That’s joy.

No matter what type of learner your child is, PlanetSpark helps set your child up for success by providing online classes with a curriculum that's designed to develop essential skills to make your child future-ready.

traits

No matter what type of learner your child is, PlanetSpark helps set your child up for success by providing online classes with a curriculum that's designed to develop essential skills to make your child future-ready.

traits

No matter what type of learner your child is, PlanetSpark helps set your child up for success by providing online classes with a curriculum that's designed to develop essential skills to make your child future-ready.

traits