Kolkata, September 29, 2026: Understanding a child goes beyond academic performance, with early identification of emotional, behavioural, developmental and learning needs playing an important role in ensuring timely and appropriate support. This was the key focus of a recent awareness session organised by Annantaa, a mental health and wellness organisation working to promote psychological well-being through awareness programmes, counselling, therapeutic interventions and community initiatives.
Titled “Early Insights, Brighter Futures: A Session on Psychometric Assessments in a Child’s Growth,” the interactive session brought together psychologists and education leaders to discuss the importance of understanding children from a broader developmental perspective.
The session featured Deboleena Biswas Nag, Director, Cambridge Montessori Preschool and Daycare, Newtown, and Rituparna Kolay, Principal & Owner, EuroKids Preschool Ballygunge and Cocoon Daycare & Activity Centre, Ballygunge. They shared observations from their experience of working with young learners and educational environments.
Madhuri Sarda, Counselling Psychologist, Clinical Hypnotherapist and Founder of Annantaa, emphasised that every child has a unique way of learning, communicating and responding to the world. She highlighted that early assessment should not be viewed as a means of labelling children, but as a way of understanding their individual strengths, needs and learning patterns so that parents and educators can provide appropriate support at the right stage.
Atreyee Chandra, Clinical Psychologist and Academic Excellence Coordinator, Annantaa, explained that psychometric assessments can provide structured insights into a child’s abilities, interests and learning patterns. However, she stressed that assessment findings need to be understood within the larger context of the child’s development. According to her, observations made by educators over time, combined with professional assessment wherever required, can help identify areas where a child may need additional support.
The session also highlighted the importance of early awareness through global, national and Kolkata-specific data. According to UNICEF, nearly 240 million children worldwide were living with a disability, while WHO estimates that approximately one in 100 children globally has autism.
Census 2011 data cited during the session recorded 2,042,887 children aged 0–6 years with disabilities in India, including 132,405 children in West Bengal. A 2017 school-based study published in Autism Research, involving 11,849 children across three Kolkata boroughs, was also discussed in the context of autism screening and subsequent assessment.
The speakers underlined that early identification should focus on understanding a child’s individual requirements rather than placing labels. The session also emphasised the importance of collaboration among parents, educators and qualified professionals in recognising concerns, conducting appropriate assessments and providing timely support.
Through “Early Insights, Brighter Futures,” Annantaa sought to promote a more holistic approach to child development, encouraging stakeholders to look beyond academic performance and recognise the emotional, behavioural, developmental and learning factors that can influence a child’s overall growth.
