COMPREHENSIVE CHILD EDUCATION (SAMAGRA SHISHU SHIKSHANA)

Child Education

Child is the father of man: catch them young, lead them on ‘right path’ is the motto.  Voluntary activities to give importance to comprehensive child education is a determined efforts on our part.

The Child Education should not merely mean teaching the child the three ‘R’s. It should, on the other hand, mean the child acquiring knowledge from its own participatory activities, directed by its own desires and interests. Experts on child education have always been insisting that learning should be joyous to the child and not a burden. The present approach to child education is based on a wrong assumption that it is preparatory to the formal schooling.  unnecessarily compelling children to read and write, and thereby impeding development of the child’s personality.

There are scientific and systematic approaches available to child education such as – Kindergarten, Montessori, Shishu Vatica and Anganavadi systems. They vary in concepts and approaches. A detailed study made of these methods and discussions held with experts on sevaral aspects of child development resulted in evolving a new scheme of “Comprehensive Child Education” which was put into practice in 1992. Since then we have been organizing training programmes to teachers, members of the school management committees of Shishu Mandirs(nursery schools), and even elderly women in various places who are eager to benefit from this new approach in their institutions.

The subjects covered in these training programmes are invaluable and varied. The training is offered on the new approach to child education, identifying the strengths, limitations and needs of every child, its physical and mental growth. The training emphasizes the need to the creation of a supportive environment for children in Shishu Mandirs and in their homes. The training is holistic in approach and development –oriented.  Development of language and mathematical abilities of the children; enabling the children for growth of their social awareness and moral values by proper “Samskaras”; identifying physical and mental handicap of children; attending to overcome such deficiencies of the child; providing first-aid and emergency care in Shishu Mandirs; are to name a few important aspects on which the training is offered. These teacher-trainees are also trained in – composing rhymes and small poems; using body language to communicate ideas; narrating stories skillfully; developing their talents in drawing, painting, crafts etc.

This new scheme was adopted on experimental basis in 13 Shishu Mandirs in 8 districts of Karnataka in 1993. In due course, in Tekkatte, Araga, Holehonnur and Kalladka, villages people came forward to provide octagonal shaped buildings and fully equipped playgrounds for children. This attracted the parents and managements of Shishu Mandirs in other places resulting in those centers also getting necessary learning materials and playgrounds. Till 2001 through the annual training programmes 272 persons from 24 districts of Karnataka were trained.

Teachers and experts involved in this experiment meet at regular intervals to discuss problems arising out of the exercise and evolve solutions. Periodical meetings of management committees take stock of the situations. The annual Action Plan of the Shishumandirs include visits to various experimental centers. Newly wed couples in the area are invited to Shishumandirs during annual day functions, to make them aware of the experiments going on.

Teachers and experts involved in this experiment meet at regular intervals to discuss problems arising out of the above experiment and evolve solutions. Management Committees meet periodically to take stock of the situation. The Annual Action Plan of the Shishumandirs include visits to various experimental centers. Newly weds in these places are also invited to Shishumandirs during annual day functions to familiar themselves about the experiments going on.

The quarterly magazine, “Araluva Moggu” (Blossoming Bud), has gained popularity among parents and teachers, because of its invaluable contents. Audio cassette containing rhymes written by teachers and sung by Smt.B.R.Chaya, brought out and sold.  This add to the learning materials of Shishu Mandirs.

There are definite signs of these initial experiments paying good dividends in terms of child development.

Education – With A New Dimension

Aims of the child education

1.  Promotion of learning basic skills.
2.  Strengthening of the five senses.
3.  Promotion of language and communication skills.
4.  Learning through playing.
5.  Gathering experience through activities.
6.  Self respecting, self reliance, integrated personality development
7.  Providing cultural environs for the child’s growth.

Routine and occasional activities to achieve these aims

1. Games 2. Songs 3. Acting 4. Story telling 5. Free Chatting 6. Trips 7. Crafts

8. Celebrations of Festivals and Holy events.

Specialties of Comprehensive Child Education

1.Learning through the mother tongue
2.Respecting the tastes, interests and aptitudes of the child, giving it the freedom of choice
3.Punishment free environment
4.No class or grade arrangement
5.No uniform
6.No examinations in the to days term
7.No insistence on reading and writing before 5 years
8.No home work
9.Education in joyful environs
10.Education based on child psychology
11.A harmonious blend of tradition and modernity in child education

Supportive activities to promote CHILD education

1.Mathru Mandali
2.Balagokula
3.Parents meetings
4.Training programmes for mothers
5.Congregations of newly wed couples
6.Camps for grown up children and mothers