The Line of Life — From A to C - Manisha Khanna

What do you see???   number 13, alphabet M, symbol of McDonald's in reverse, alphabet W, and a few assumptions. Right!

 Now, what do you see? 

A — B — C.

It looks simple, doesn’t it?

When we look at B standing alone, we make assumptions.

It looks uncertain, directionless, incomplete.

But the moment we place A before it and C after it, everything changes.

Suddenly, B has meaning — it becomes a journey, not a mistake.

This is the story of adolescence.

At A, life begins simple — a straight line full of purpose, innocence, and clarity.
Then comes B, the bend — that confusing space where identity blurs.
Adolescents stand here, between childhood and adulthood, searching for who they are and where they belong.

In this search, they turn to the easiest mirror they can find — the mirror of society, peers, and screens. Every like, every follow, every comment becomes a reflection of worth. But it’s a fragile mirror, one that cracks under the weight of comparison.

They see the success, not the struggle. They see the filtered faces, not the unseen effort. They see the highlight reels, not the rewrites.

What was once a journey of self-discovery has become a quest for approval.

The mind starts to equate validation with value. Shortcuts replace effort. When the likes don’t come, anger rises. When popularity doesn’t follow, burnout begins. The mind grows restless, the body disengaged, and the spirit unsure.

The B stage is filled with doubt, anxiety, and exhaustion — a bend that feels like a breakdown.
But B was never meant to stand alone.

When adolescents reconnect with their A — their roots, their values — and discover their C — their purpose, their potential — something shifts. The confusion softens. The curve straightens. They begin to see that the bend was not a detour, but a design — a necessary part of growth.

The truth is, the line was never broken — only bent. The self was never lost — only searching.

And the journey back to self begins the moment the adolescent pauses the scroll, silences the noise, and listens inward.

Because real identity doesn’t live in pixels. It lives with purpose.

So the question is:
Are we helping our adolescents move from B to C?
Or are we keeping them trapped in the endless scroll of confusion?

Please send your responses to mk@learningforward.org.in. We look forward to receiving your thoughtful insights.

Manisha Khanna

Growing with Confidence: Understanding Puberty at Lotus Petals Foundation

 

Puberty.pdf by Manisha Khanna

Students from the Lotus Petals Foundation recently came together to share their thoughts and understanding about puberty, a vital stage of growing up. Through open discussions and interactive sessions, they expressed how their bodies and emotions are changing, and how gaining knowledge about these changes helps them feel more confident and prepared. They talked about physical developments like height, voice changes, and menstruation, as well as emotional shifts such as mood swings and growing independence. The students emphasized the importance of hygiene, healthy habits, and respectful communication during this phase. Their reflections showed a strong sense of curiosity, maturity, and the positive impact of a supportive learning environment.

My Good School, Sunday 29th June 2025

YES Workshop with Shikha Agnihotri of Right Side Story

Discussion on puberty, growing up, and adolescence with high school students, led by Shikha Agnihotri from Right Side Story.

Key Takeaways

• Puberty involves both physical and emotional changes that are beyond one's control; understanding these changes helps normalise the experience ("puberty is not a race")

• Students shared insights on mood swings, emotional changes, and physical transformations during puberty, demonstrating awareness but also misconceptions

• The session emphasised communication as a crucial strategy for managing challenging emotions and relationships during adolescence

• Gender differences during puberty were discussed, including societal expectations and biological variations, with an emphasis on respect for all genders

Topics

Understanding Puberty and Growth

• Puberty is defined as a "software update" in the mind and body, signalling the transition from childhood.

• Students recognised that puberty is influenced by genetics and occurs at different ages for different people.

• Physical changes discussed included body odour, voice changes such as the Adam's apple in boys, and muscle development.

• Brain "rewiring" during puberty leads to feelings of independence and new emotional experiences.

• Girls and boys experience different physical changes, but both face hormonal shifts (testosterone vs. estrogen)

Emotional Changes During Puberty

• Students identified negative emotions experienced: anxiety, jealousy, frustration, irritation, depression.

• Positive emotions noted: happiness from recognition, validation, success, and achievement.

• Discussion of mood swings affecting both genders, not just girls, as commonly believed

• Students expressed challenges with controlling emotions during puberty

• Shikha emphasised that emotions during puberty are often temporary but intense, requiring patience

Friendship and Relationships During Adolescence

• Students debated whether friendship affects puberty or puberty affects friendship

• Trust issues in friendships were highlighted as a challenge during puberty

• Advice given: when hurt by friends, communicate within 24 hours rather than avoiding the issue

• Self-inflicted independence during puberty can strain relationships with parents and authority figures

• Importance of finding trusted adults to discuss difficult decisions emphasised

Self-Image and Body Awareness

• Students noted increased focus on appearance during puberty (clothes, hygiene, physical features)

• Discussion about boys becoming more conscious about their physical appearance (muscles, height)

• Girls discussed increased attention to skincare, makeup, and fashion choices

• The importance of hygiene is emphasised, especially regarding body odour, which increases during puberty

• Both genders experience increased self-consciousness and concern about how others perceive them

Reading Session: Animal Behaviour and Taste with Brinda Ghosh

• The second half of the meeting featured a reading from "The Inner Life of Animals" focusing on taste in animals

• Discussed how animals have different taste preferences than humans (example: crows eating seeds from horse excrement)

• Explored how taste is adapted to different species' needs and evolutionary history

• Reading skills were emphasised, including proper use of punctuation and expression while reading

• Importance of regular reading beyond textbooks (15-20 minutes daily) was encouraged

Next Steps

• Shikha proposed separate follow-up sessions for boys and girls to discuss puberty more openly

• Future session on pronunciation and reading skills to be conducted by Brinda

• After completing the current book, the group will read Gerald Durrell's works about animals

• Students are encouraged to practice communication skills when dealing with emotional challenges

• Students advised to develop reading habits beyond textbooks (15-20 minutes daily)