What do you need to prepare a dish? Recipe duh, right? That's what our children thought too till they read 'The Art of Cooking'. 

Why is it art? Isn't there a lot of science involved? What makes it an art? Why are these instructions so different from the recipes we are used to seeing? Really - can you really make any kind of broth if you learnt this skill? Wow! 

We wondered, explored, experimented, empathized, created personas and discovered that the problem was to learn the skills in cooking that could lead to unlocking the treasure trove of recipes and the ability to work with a plethora of ingredients. Voila! We had magic in our hands. 

Children spent time interviewing, designing and curating the skills that could help different kinds of people discover their inner cooking persona as well as learn and upskill themselves to become better cooks. 

This year for the Annual Day, our Leopards (4th and 5th graders) explored 'The Art of Indian Cooking' from first principles and designed something that each of us can use and work with. Along they way they had some magical moments of bonding with their families, embracing the inner scientist in them while some of them brought out their inner chefs. And well, what got cooked? Find out for yourself by watching the video!

​But before that, let's let Ms. Poorva Agarwal take us through the cooking of this whole process.

And here, the final product!

Here we have our wonderful parents reflecting along with us, and sharing with us their sides of the story as well. Have a look!
​

​ As I sit back on my couch with my eyes closed, innumerable experiences that I've had with children flood my memory.

From me being a child, wondering how is it possible for a space craft to exit earth if earth was spherical to my cousins, niece and nephews, the children I work with and random children I spot on the streets and pass on a smile.

Each one with their own unique quirks and expressions. I wonder what goes on in their minds as they constantly observe the world around, what makes them choose the things they do and what makes them like what they like, what do the really young children daydream about or do they daydream?

I wonder what about children inspire me...maybe it's their curiosity. But where do they get their curiosity from?  Or maybe it the quality of living in the moment. But, how does it disappear as they grow up? Or is it just the abundance of love that they carry? 
​
I can only wonder about the wonder that children are...

Contributed by Yashika CG, Learning Facilitator at Sparkling Mindz Global Preschool.

#sparklingmindzglobal
#inspiringconfidentlearners
#everychildcan
#inspiration
#facilitatordiaries

Have you ever wondered about all those unread books sitting at different parts of your house, or class, or school...or just about anywhere? What might we be able to do with them?

What about those who write those books, the authors? How about the jitters authors feel about publishing new books? What can be done to ease that?

We wondered the same with our children and it goes without saying, that they bubbled with a variety of ideas. Needless to say, it was such a treat to hear and watch them ideating. Of course, we documented this process, and here is the result: a case study of an ideation process that shows children to convert problems into opportunities for innovation. 

#sparklingmindzglobalschool
#inspiringconfidentlearners
#youngachieversacademy
#ideationprocess
#21stcenturylearning
#socialemotionallearning
#everychildcan
​#childasanentrepreneur
#problemsasopportunities
​#learningforkeeps
​

#sparklingmindzglobalschool
#inspiringconfidentlearners
#youngachieversacademy
#21stcenturylearning
#socialemotionallearning
#emotionalawareness
#emotionalintelligent
#afterschoolprogram
​#learningforkeeps

P, a 4 year old, came to me to open her water bottle. It's usually a little tight for her to open by herself, so she asks for help. Yesterday, Ak, another 4 year old, helped her voluntarily. He considers himself strong and he was excited to help the moment he saw her struggling. 

Today when the same scenario happened, S got to P first. Ak also ran to her, causing a tiff. Now S and Ak were at it, wanting to open the bottle. Eventually S opened it and Ak was visibly upset. I called him to ask what had happened,

F (Facilitator): What happened?
Ak, with teary eyes: S opened the bottle. But ma'am, yesterday S opened Ad's bottle also. 
F: Okay, but yesterday you also opened P's bottle all by yourself too. 
Ak: But ma'am, he opened so many bottles. 
F:How do you feel when you saw him opening bottles?
Ak: Sad. 
F: Why? 
Ak: Because he opened Ad's bottle and so many bottles. 

I figured he was upset because he considers himself quite strong but he was failing to see that his strength could be used anywhere he wanted to and not just opening the bottle. After acknowledging what he felt was okay to be felt when he did not get a turn, we continued our conversation.

F: Hmm, Ak, you know you are super strong right?
Ak: Yes. 
F: And that helps you open bottles for others. Right? 
Ak: Yes ma'am. (Slightly smiling)
F: Are bottles the only things that you can do with your strength?
Ak seems to be thinking. 
F: What else can you do with your super strength?
Ak: Climb ladder, draw...

His options went on and on, and so did his mind. The more options he came up with, the more calm and content he seemed. 

F: Ah, see you can do so many things with your hands and strength. So next time you get upset about not being to open somebody's bottle, what can you do? 
Ak: Find something else. 
F: Awesome!

We finished out conversation with a hi five and off he went to sip water. 

When children feel stuck one way, building the skill of creative decision making could help them shift their emotional states into productive states that can help them bring in the flexibility to handle situations differently, just like how Ak started seeing how he could use his strength in multiple other areas too himself, and not just use it in opening bottles. Flexibility is a muscle that can be built overtime which can enable decision making in creative ways, also helping one to see multiple pathways when one feels stuck. 

Contributed by Sruthy Krishna, Learning Facilitator at Sparkling Mindz Global Preschool.

#reggioemiliainspiredlearning
#sparklingmindzglobalpreschool
​#inspiringconfidentlearners
#facilitatordiaries
#21stcenturylearning
#socialemotionallearning
#problemsolving

In today's fast pacing and ever-changing world, the requirements of children are also rapidly and constantly shifting. To be able to help them access their highest potential and become the best versions of who they can be, those around them also need to adapt and evolve, and we can start from the basics - our education system.

Today's education system needs a major transformation so that children's needs can be catered to in a holistic manner. It goes without saying that educators play a huge role in this. Here is our founder, Ms. Sreeja Iyer, in conversation with The Better India about today's education system and its role in shaping today's generation and the many more to come, and why it could be an 'unconventional' career path.

My relationship with food has been very fascinating. My mom once told me that, when I was less than 2years old, I managed to climb up onto a table and finish half a dozen of bananas, seeming no less than a monkey.

 As I grew up, most healthy foods became repulsive; eating used to be an arduous task. This phase involved people constantly commenting on how thin I was and how I should eat more and put on more flesh, muscle and fat. This eventually started causing insecurities within me about my body until college, when I shifted my focus from what I was not, to embracing myself completely; surprisingly my body changed after that. It was the first time I felt a sense of liberation in surrendering to what is. 

My college days saw me develop a huge fetish for street food exploration. This was also backed by shows on TLC and Fox traveller that glorified food. Then, when I started working, I could afford the luxury of eating out at fancy restaurants and experiencing different cuisines and flavours (not that they were all very authentic). 

Today, I settle for terribly simple food; something that feels soulful if not plentiful.
It's funny how my relationship with food is constantly evolving; of course in coherence with my ever-morphing beliefs.

In retrospect, I learnt a few things about myself. I'd like to call them my superpowers - 

- I experience food (and pretty much everything I deeply connect with) with all my senses; I immerse myself in it and connect very deeply with it. I've had people wonder 'how could someone be so passionate about food?' 

- It wasn't just the experience that I would crave, but also sharing that with others. I had the superpower to describe food, with every morsel of detail, that would leave someone's mouth watering to experience it themselves. 

- My brain loves getting fired up with new experience; flavors and textures that tickle my taste buds. 

Now, I'm still in the process of looking at myself, identifying more such superpowers and figuring out how I can leverage them purposefully across all sections of my life.

​Contributed by Disha HK, Learning Facilitator at Sparkling Mindz Global School.

#sparklingmindzglobalschool
#foodasanexperience
#joyfullearning
#facilitatordiaries

It takes a moment to instill fear and a lifetime to build and the hold on to inspiration and passion. It takes a moment to destroy what you have built with a lot of loving care and effort. 

Does that mean something we do is not worth building? The odds are very high that a fear moment will break through and hit us right when we are least expecting it and wreck havoc. 

So, what's the way out? Befriending the fear.  Yes, you heard it right! Make it your friend, so it will announce itself when it arrives, you can chit-chat with it, learn about it and then ask it to leave once you both feel enriched from the experience. 

Written by ​Sreeja Iyer, CEO & Founder of Sparkling Mindz Global School, Preschool, & After-School

#sparklingmindzglobal 
#inspiringconfidentlearners
#befriendingfear
#socialemotionallearning
#21stcenturylearning

​As shared by a parent of a 1st grade at school.

A snippet of a conversation with A (6 yr old) as I (parent) felt its effect of the online classes and how ma'am has introduced science to him.

A: Can I put some sunscreen now?
Me: We are not going out now so do you want to put sunscreen or normal body lotion.
A: What is sunscreen made of?
Me: What do you think?
A: Medicine?
Me:Medicine?

A: Chemicals and medicines.
Me: Aaha
A: So it's also science?
Me: Hmmm yes...which part of science you think?
Av: Chemicals...so ......chemistry!!

For children, science should go beyond what is taught in the books. It needs to start to become real, tangible. Things they can touch, feel, see, hear - everything around them starts to unravel the mysteries of science. They start to become scientific thinkers and not mere science quiz takers or science fact muggers. 

#sparklingmindzglobal
#inspiringconfidentlearners
#youngachieversacademy
#beingchangemakers
#everychildcan
#reggio
21stcenturylearning