MATE Workshop: Nurturing Self-Awareness and Meaningful Connections

Phase II of the MATE Workshop was conducted in school during October 2026 for the consented students of Classes VI, VII and VIII. Facilitated by Dr Preeti Jain, School Counsellor, the two-hour sessions focused on the theme ‘Relationship with Self and Connecting with Others’, guiding students towards greater self-awareness, emotional well-being and healthy interpersonal relationships.

Through experiential activities and meaningful discussions, students explored the difference between self-compassion and self-indulgence, understanding how genuine self-care supports personal growth. They also learnt that true self-esteem comes from accepting mistakes and learning from them rather than shifting blame. The importance of self-discipline as an expression of self-care, nurtured through small and consistent healthy habits, was emphasised.

The sessions further introduced students to the concept of the social brain and mirror neurons, helping them understand how emotions influence interactions. They also explored the ‘Window of Tolerance’ to recognise different emotional states and learnt simple techniques to regain emotional balance.

An important takeaway was the thought, “The way you treat yourself sets the standard for how you treat others and how you let others treat you.” Students were also introduced to MATE Finger Breathing as a simple grounding technique to improve focus and emotional regulation.

The workshop provided students with valuable insights into self-awareness, self-management and empathy, encouraging them to nurture a healthier relationship with themselves and build more meaningful connections with others.