One day, while casually discussing with my friend, we came up with a thought of apart from academics what is that we can offer to children that will help them gain a new perspective of looking at life. This set the ball rolling and we continued brain storming further.
Meanwhile I had completed my two levels of Special Personality Development Course which was for adults but I felt certain aspects were applicable to the young children as well. While doing the course I realized that if these aspects are introduced at a very young age, it can become a trait and will remain with them for life time. Life skills and development of emotional quotient is equally important along with academics.
Gradually we started coming up with ideas and started streamlining them and turning into a plan of action. We realized that as a part of this we need to get young children acquainted with our culture along with modern way of living. They have clear exposure to modern world with immense influence of western culture but their roots need to be stronger to hold the ground for them. They should be able think, analyse and differentiate between what needs to be accepted or rejected. This led us to the idea of conducting a summer camp for children and gain an insight into their understanding and liking.
We introduced ‘Manthan, the churning’ the ‘Summer Camp’ which included a brief introduction to our culture by the way of a story telling session which included stories from epics and history. At the end of the session the children would discuss about the story and would come up with beautiful take away in the form of moral of the story and what life skill it teaches us. This summer camp which was started with a few children generated interest in many other children and parents approached us to continue with it further.
Then we planned for a proper year long session which would be conducted thrice a week. It was split into various modules based on the aspect of personality development. It included sessions from basics of walking, table manners, maintaining proper eye contact, debates, addressing a small group with well-prepared topic in advance to impromptu topic given on the spot. There were sessions which included art, craft as well. The festivals like Diwali, Navratri, Holi were celebrated with understanding their importance and relevance to our culture. Children presented skits on topics of social importance like saving water through ‘Play Dry Holi’ campaign. Children were taken to visit a plant of waste management. ‘Matru Din’ was celebrated by inviting their parents. Faculties were invited who conducted sessions on effective listening and talking.
The motto of these sessions was everything for children by children. The children were helped by the means of guidance and they started taking initiative whether it was campaigning with social message or set up a skit. They chose the topic, wrote dialogues, planned costumes, posters, everything. It was presented to their parents and other members of the society as well.
It was a wonderful enriching experience for children as well as us.