Hari Om Parents,
This Sunday we had the 14th class of Balavihar. Here is a summary of what we covered.
Opening Prayers: We together chanted three OMs and then chanted the Opening Prayers - Sahana Vavatu , Varkatunda Mahakaya and Saraswati Namastubhyam. We learnt a new Rama Shloka and we had children repeat it after us individually. The recording shall be shared in Whatsapp , please make them practice at home.
āpadāmapahartāraṃ dātāraṃ sarvasaṃpadām .
lokābhirāmaṃ śrīrāmaṃ bhūyo bhūyo namāmyaham.
lokābhirāmaṃ śrīrāmaṃ bhūyo bhūyo namāmyaham.
Recap: We recited the Alphabet chant until Letter K.
Introduction of the Next Letter: We introduced the next letter "L'' - stands for 'Love which means fodness and warm affection. We express our Love through good behavior towards all and serving others.
Brainstorming: We discussed various situations to help explain that Love is a special feeling. Love is difficult to explain, but when you love someone you want to do everything to make that person happy. Even if it means that you have to work hard or sacrifice, you will do it without complaint for the person you love.
Story Time 1: Gandhiji's Love - we learnt that Love could change a person to become good and we all need to have love for each other.
Story Time 2: The Best Gift - one can show Love by doing good things and behaving well with others and we can show our love through simple deeds every day.
Activity 1: Puzzle - Make a Word- Kids were asked to complete the word puzzle which spells out LOVE.
Activity 2: The House I Built - Kids were divided into groups of two, and one made a house by gluing popsicle sticks to the house outline and the other just kept the popsicle sticks on outline. We asked them to see which house would stand without falling apart, and Just like Glue was important to keep the house together, Love binds all the members of the family and keeps them together.
Exploration: Who Loves Us The Most? We discussed all the gifts we have, and what is the best gift we have? Kids responded with an array of material items from toys, games, legos to finally nailing it to Family being the best gift. God gave a lot of wonderful gifts in this whole universe and thus, God loves us the most.
We sang the Alphabet song until M , with each child taking turns for each letter. Children were amazing , helping out friends who were unable to recollect.
Attendance : We took attendance and all the children responded with "Hariom" as their names were called out.
We moved on to next letter "N"
Introduction of the Next Letter: Children came up with N for Neat, Nice, Narada and even Narayana. We introduced the next letter "N"' - is for Nobility. Nobility is upholding high moral standards and having a strong character. We can be noble by taking care of others and putting others' needs first.
Exploration : We asked if they knew any noble person? We showed picture of our dear "Gurudev" and shared with children about Swamiji and what made him Noble.
Story Time : The Noble Cow , with the moral that Being Noble has its rewards.
Brainstorming: We discussed about noble deeds and how we can do simple deeds for others by putting others' needs first and helping others. And we can develop noble qualities by learning from great people. We shared the story of Gandhiji, The Other Shoe and Mother Teresa, A Friend Of The Friendless to enable them better understand the value.
Movement : We played a game requiring children to sit down if we called out a noble act and stand up if it was not a noble act. Children really enjoyed this game.
Bhajan : We ended the class with the "Hey Murali Sridhara" song , singing it in various tempos !
It was another very interactive and lively session with kids. Kids shared their views and participated happily in the class.
Very proud of the kids who participated in the Story telling competition. Thank you parents for helping the kids prepare well.
Have a wonderful week ahead!!
Pranams,
Shreya and Veda
