Hari Om Parents,
Today was the 5th class of Balavihar. Here is the summary of what we covered in the class today:
Opening Prayers & Shloka : We all chanted three OMs and then chanted the Opening Prayers - Sahana Vavatu followed by Vakratunda Mahakaya and Saraswati Namastubhyam. Few of the children chanted the prayers on their own. We learnt a new Shloka "Krishnaya Vasudevaya" and its meaning today. Recording has been shared in Watsapp. Please make the kids practice the shlokas at home.
Recap: We discussed that we are learning the Vedanta alphabets and recaped that Letter A is for Aspiration -Strong determination to achieve our goal. We can fulfill our Aspiration through hard work.
Introduction of the Letter of the day :
We asked children to share some words that begin with letter B, We got responses such as Ball, Bad, Boy, Balvihar, Behave, Blessing, Best etc...
In the Chinmaya Mission pledge there is a line which says, "May your Grace and Blessing flow through us to the world around us." We introduced the word B for Blessings (and Grace). Blessing is 1. God's Love (Good Habits, values and behaviour ) , 2. God's Power (Good Health, Strength to never give up) and 3. God's Knowledge (intellect, ability to study and learn)
Just like the sun, which shines even when earth turns away, God's blessings and Grace are always there , we have to open our hearts by remembering him (through prayers) and letting him live in our hearts.
We briefly touched upon the story of Prahalada's Devotion and how God's Grace and blessing saved him from many dangers.
Movement Action : We said the blessings and children did the action God's love (touch the heart), God's Power (flex your arm muscles), God's knowledge (tap the side of your head with pointer finger)
Yoga : Children did Thoppukaranam, Vrikshasana, Bhujangasana and learnt the butterfly pose (Baddha Konasan)
We introduced the second word , B - Brotherhood is a Sense of togetherness and belonging among members of a family, neighborhood, city, organization and the world. Brotherhood can be achieved by Realizing that each individual is unique and every individual bringing forth unique characteristics make the world special.
Activity and Story Time:
Children received a scenery sheet and each child was asked to colour the 1st scenery only with just one colour..
We narrated the story The Complete Picture - A story of a pack of crayons who do not like each other, but eventually realize that each of the colors are unique and special in its own way and the entire pack of different colors are required to make any painting beautiful.
We are all like the box of crayons. Each one of us is special and unique. Only by appreciating one another's individuality and living in the brotherhood spirit, can we complete the picture of life.
We made a note that Working together, cooperating and sharing is also an aspect of brotherhood and children shared the crayons to complete the beautiful scenery sheet with all colors! It was heartwarming to see some of them request for a different color from their friends, some proactively telling they have a color ready to share etc..
Game : We all sat in a circle and passed out bowls with the exact number of goodies as the children in class. We played an instrument and everytime the sound stopped, the child holding the bowl tooka goodie and placed it in front of them. At the end , some kids had more, others had none or less. Even before we reminded the children about brotherhood, they had shared willingly with love and care to those who had none.
And through this, it was emphasized that Sharing and working together is a Brotherhood spirit. And this helps us live together in harmony.
We also discussed the meaning of HOME: Every happy person sees OM in their home. Home is where a family lives, and a family that prays together stays happy together.
HOME stands for H - Happy , OM - Lord , E - Ever
Attendance: Attendance was taken and each kid responded by saying 'Hari Om'.
Geeta chanting: We then gave an introduction and an overview of the importance of Bhagvad Geeta. We learnt the 1st from Chapter 5 today and repeated the verses a couple of times. Please make the kids chant along, Video link as below : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l7a9C0dMhE
It was a very interactive, responsive and attentive class today. We are very delighted with the children's participation and attention.
Please check the weekly Balavihar emails that have details about the House contest (Story Telling, Slokathon , Bhajanotsavam) and register children for these contests . This week's email also has details about Swami Shantananda ji's Sampoorna Ramayana Yajna and Likhita Japa. Request you all to participate and encourage children to write Ram Japa (English or Devanagiri, whichever they are comfortable with) and bring it to class. Do reach out to us for any questions in this regard.
Note: Next class is on 10th Nov, 2024. 3rd Nov is a holiday due to Diwali weekend.
Happy and prosperous Diwali wishes to one and all.
Pranams,
Shreya and Veda
