Hari Om Parents,
Today was the 6th class of Balavihar. Here is the summary of what we covered in the class today:
Sloka time: We all chanted three OMs and then chanted the Opening Prayers - Sahana Vavatu followed by Vakratunda Mahakaya, Saraswati Namastubhyam, Krishnaya Vasudevaya . We learnt a new Rama Sloka as below and explained the meaning. The audio has been shared on Watsapp, Please make children listen to the audio and practice at home.
रघुनाथाय नाथाय सीतायाः पतये नमः ॥
rāmāya rāmabhadrāya rāmacaṃdrāya vedhase .
raghunāthāya nāthāya sītāyāḥ pataye namaḥ ..
Recap : We recapped that we are learning Vedantic Alphabets to develop a Sweet mind and what the letters A and B stood for and also did the movement actions for Blessings (Gods Love, Gods Power and Gods Knowledge). Children very enthusiastically participated in answering the questions.
Introduction: We asked Children to share some C words and we got responses including words such as clean, compassion, courage, clever, confident etc.. We introduced Letter C is for Cleanliness - being free from Dirt, and that which is neat and organized. We showed children different pictures of clean Vs unclean(roads, beaches, bedroom, teeth etc.) and we all agreed that we enjoy everything clean. Children shared ways to keep body , surroundings clean. We discussed about emotions , that the place we feel it is mind and its important to keep a clean mind and how it leads to a Sweet mind.
Story Time: Kids were taught through the story of the Royal Horse, that we should always keep our body, surroundings and mind clean
Exploration: Through the activity with 3 glasses of water, dirt , where we had One glass of water was dirty outside and inside, the second glass of water was dirty on the outside and was clean inside, and the third glass of water was clean on the inside and outside, we introduced Cleanliness and what it means to be Clean on the outside and Clean on the Inside. We can be dirty outside, or dirty inside or clean throughout. Naturally, just as you would like to drink only from the clean glass, and shun the dirty ones, people would choose to be only friends with those who are clean both inside and outside.
How can we stay clean from within ? We showed the children the picture of three mythical monkeys. and asked them to explain what they thought it meant. We discussed about Hear no evil , Speak no evil, See no evil , and also introduced Think no evil as a way to be clean inside . Cleanliness is Godliness and By being clean inside, we come close to God and have inner happiness and joy!
Activity sheet : The children colored C for cleanliness coloring sheets.
Introduction: We asked children for various D words and we touched upon Deepavali/Diwali Children shared that it's also called Festival of lights and they celebrated with sparkles, sweets, Diya's, new clothes, visiting family/cousins/friends etc. We shared various stories around why Diwali is celebrated .
Letter 'D' is for Daddy and Dad's are "kind," "loving," "caring," "wise," "protective," "strong," and have similar qualities as God, hence we revere them as God.
Exploration: Kids told the various things their Dad's do for them which shows their love and care. They all shared that they love when their Dads play with them and everyone shared their happy moments with their Dad. It was very nice to hear them.
And we shared that the Almighty God is our Eternal father and takes care of all of us. And kids were asked to say to their dad - 'Pitru Devo Bhava' and explained that 'Pitru' in this context refers to their 'Daddy'. and Another meaning is our ancestors, to whom we need to pray and be Thankful as well.
Attendance: Attendance was taken and each kid responded by saying Hari Om
Geeta Chanting: Then we recited Gītā using the Chanting video telecast of verses 2 and 3 . Sharing link below for practice at home.
Exit Ticket: Kids were provided Interview with Dad Questionnaire sheet for which they need to spend time with Dad and fill it. Looking forward to interesting responses in the next class.
We had an interactive fun class with children. Next class is on 17th Nov, Please have the children come in on time.
Pranams,
Shreya and Veda
