Sparkling Mindz
  • Home
  • School
    • Young Changemakers' Summit
    • Changemaker Missions >
      • SM Plates (Healthy Food Practices)
      • TRUI (Climate Change)
      • CSP (Community, Stories and Practices)
      • MCV (Mission Child Vulnerability)
    • Poetic Fete
  • Preschool
  • Programs
    • Young Thinkers and Achievers
    • Early Learner's Enrichment
    • Summer Camps
  • Enquiry
  • Testimonials
  • Blog

Care and kindness lessons by our 5 year olds

20/2/2020

Comments

 
As part of their Independence day visit,  our pre-schoolers expressed interest in knowing more about the freedom fighters. Considering their curiosity, they were taken to Freedom park, a place that served as a prison during Indian freedom movement which is now converted into a park. 

As children arrived at Freedom Park, A noticed grass growing on the gaps between the tiles on the pavement and screamed.

A: Stop everyone! Do not step on the grass! 
He succeeded in getting everybody's attention and they walked carefully making sure to not step on the grass. 
Picture
Post this incident of A displaying kindness and care and encouraging others to do the same, they walked ahead exploring the different areas of the park, the prisons, the execution place etc. As they walked, they came across a little insect strolling on the grass. Av, picked up a small twig and killed the insect. 
Rest of the group screamed: Ma'am Av killed the insect.
Em (visibly upset): it didn't even do anything to us.

Seeing his friends holding him accountable for his behavior, Av feels bad and tries to defend himself by speaking gibberish. 
​
Picture
A while later, children exploring the park found a fallen branch. They picked it up and started playing tug-of-war (it's been their favorite game ever since it was introduced to them a year ago). Just then, M saw it and ran to her friends. 
M: Everybody stop! You'll get hurt.

Picture

It was moving to see how children had beautifully taken in the values of care and kindness towards each other and things around them. As adults and facilitators working with children, it's important for us to inculcate in ourselves the valves that we would like to see in our children. Things learnt during their formative years are learnt deeper and children learn better by observation. Let's be that good example that our children can observe and learn from. Let's create the world that we like to have for our children by being that world.


Contributed by Yashika CG, Facilitator, Sparkling Mindz Global Preschool

Comments

'Something Else'

19/2/2020

Comments

 
What would you do if you ever felt like you weren't part of a group, that you had no friends, that you felt like nobody liked you? 

How would you feel? 

Moreover, how do you think a child feels when she feels like she has no friends, that she isall alone, that nobody likes her?

Our 4 year old K had been finding it difficult to connect and be friends with her classmates, feeling alone and sad but not sure how to solve it by herself; neither did she have clarity on why and what she was feeling. 

The time came then for our 4 year olds to get a new set of library books to take and read at home. Out of those books, was one tiny treasure called 'Something  Else' by Kathryn Cave and Chris Riddell. The book is about a little creature the other animals call 'Something Else' because it doesn't look like the others. The storyline moves through the emotions faced by the creature when it felt alone, sad, lonely because of how others treated it and called it 'Something Else'. The book however ends on a happy note where another creature that looks like none other comes into the picture and they become the best of friends. 


​
Picture

Call it luck, call it a connection, K found it and took it home for the week. Days pass by, the book made its rounds with the others without any of us realizing how deep a connection K had made with the creature in the book called 'Something Else', until it was brought to our attention by her mother. K had been feeling like she was Something Else in the class as she felt alone, lonely and sad. Reading that book gave her the vocabulary and understanding of her emotions and feelings that she connected to, resulting in her opening up about it to her parents. 

When it was brought to the attention of the school, we decided to dive right in, as we always do. With her in particular, we have been working on communication skills, and as a class, social skills and making friends with new children were on the focus. Because of the initial layer of work that was already done, when K's emotions were brought in the picture, children found it easier to empathize and suggest solutions.

We read the book today, it being a Thursday where we usually read a book for our Library Routine. We chose 'Something Else' to read and everybody was excited and jumping on their mats, except for K. She looked quiet and withdrawn throughout. However, we proceeded. Children kept empathizing with the character and vocalizing about the scenes in the book. Post the reading session, the floor was open for questions and further discussions. 

"Have you ever felt like how 'Something Else' was feeling? " 

Nobody answered as such. 

The question then was repeated to K to which she whispered a yes. She then came and stood with us in the front for the issue to be discussed further. We held her throughout to let her know that she was safe in our circle. 

"Because I am alone like Something Else. Nobody is not playing with me." meaning to say that nobody played with her.

The whole class of the 4-year olds sat quiet and looked concerned as she spoke as they now knew exactly how she felt. 

"We will be friends with you. " 
"We will play with you." 
"I will write a letter for you at my home. I will bring it for you. You can take it home."
"I will play with you K"...

And on and on went children, soothing her heart. 

There was no need of further conversations and this culminated in a a gentle group hug where they just held her. And T planted her a kiss in the end. ​
Picture
Developing a vocabulary to express how they are feeling is a good first step to seeking help when someone is feeling left out, lonely or upset. Children, when not felt supported and loved, can develop all kinds of insecurities right from childhood that could take a long time to move out of. As important as it is to make them feel loved, supported and belonged, it's also important equip them to love, support and be there for one another. 


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

Magical Group Hug Lifts a Mood!

16/5/2019

Comments

 
Today a child came crying to school. It is not a usual sight at our school so naturally all the children stared at her and didn't know what to do - the loudness, the distraction, the helplessness...it was all evident in each of their faces. Once she settled, they all came around for their Welcome Song.  As the facilitator was calling her to the group, everybody was staring at her wondering what she was going to say. Eventually, she told everybody that she doesn't want to join in, she wants to stand alone. Children understood that but instead of ignoring her...they did something magical. One by one, all of them started to walk towards her and gave her a hug, which culminated in a group her. They stood with her until the facilitator asked all of them to come back. They held her gently unlike their usual group hugs that are very driven, loud and fast.  She was brought in with love and gentle affection. She was moved, she joined in.

Children know when to be gentle and kind to one another and it's a very important quality to have and to build within. For this class, we have been working on awareness and connection to emotions, expressing and understanding them in each other as well as being friends with all your classmates. Hence, the sensitivity that children showed - no one laughed, no one ignored, they were all very gentle. Then, the collective synergistic action they took together to bring her in - again with no verbal exchange between each other. All of it shows that something magical is happening in the class of my 3 year olds.

As parents, teachers, neighbors, friends, and anybody, let's help cultivate kindness and empathy among children, so that they nourish both themselves and others around them. But first, let's cultivate the same within us so that we can show them how to build it within themselves, and emerge stronger than they already are.

Contributed by Sruthy Krishna, Learning Facilitator at Sparkling Mindz Global Preschool.
Reviewed by Sreeja Iyer, CEO, Sparkling Mindz Global
Comments

    RSS Feed

    RSS Feed​

    Sparkling Mindz is an organization with a vision to create millions of confident thinkers and communicators amongst our children!

    ​You can read more on...

    CEO's FB Page

    Archives

    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    July 2017
    June 2017
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    September 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    January 2015
    July 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    August 2012
    June 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011

    Categories

    All
    21
    21stcenturylearning
    2 Year Olds
    3 Year Olds
    4 Year Olds
    4-year-olds
    5 7 Year Olds
    5-7 Year Olds
    5 Year Olds
    5-year Olds
    8 13 Years
    8-13 Years
    Activity Modules
    Add
    Adhd
    Afterschool Program
    Age Appropriate Session
    Age-appropriate Session
    Age Group
    Awards And Recognition
    Bangalore
    Being Changemakers
    Book Reading
    Child Development
    Children Making Friends
    Children's Activities
    Children's Workshop
    Children's Workshops
    Collaboration
    Communication Skills
    Communication Skills Workshop
    Community
    Concluding Sessions
    Confidence
    Confident Learners
    Confident Thinkers
    Conflict Management
    Conscious Parenting
    Creative Individuals
    Creative Thinking
    Creative Thinking For Kids
    Creative Thinking Summer Camp
    Creative Thinking Summer Camps
    Creative Thinking Tools
    Creative Thinking Workshop
    Creative Thinking Workshops
    Creativity
    Creativity For Children
    Critical Thinking
    Critical Thinking Workshop
    Curiosity
    Deep Learning
    Deep Thinking
    Dep
    Developing Creativity
    Distracted Behavior
    Documentation
    E
    Emergent Curriculum
    Emergent Play
    Emotional Quotient
    Emotional Vocabulary
    Emotions In Learning
    Empathy
    Everychildcan
    Experimenting
    Exploring Emotions
    Facilitation
    Facilitator Discussion Diaries
    Flexibility
    Flexible Brain
    Following Your Passion
    Fun Activities
    Fun Activities For Children
    Fun Modules
    Fun Places For Children
    Game Based Learning
    Games For Kids
    Getting A Quiet Child To Talk
    Growth Mindset
    Holistic Development
    Hyperactivity
    Imagination
    Imagining-with-blocks
    Impulsivity
    Innovative Learning
    Innovators
    Inquisitive Children
    Inspiration
    Inspirational Stand Up
    Inspiring Confident Communicators
    Inspiring Confident Learners
    Interpersonal Skills
    Invitation To Play
    Joy
    Joyous Learning
    Just Books
    Keys To Success
    Kindness
    Lateral Thinking
    Learning For Keeps
    Learning From Play
    Learning Styles
    Learning To Make Friends
    Light Play
    Logical Reasoning
    Making Connections
    Motivation Skills
    Music
    Natural Things
    Nature Of Creativity
    Nature Walk
    New Age Classrooms
    Open Ended Thinking
    Openness To New Expeiences
    Ownership In Children
    Parenting As A Skill
    Parent Invites
    Parent Testimonials
    Parent Workshop
    Peer Intervention
    Play Based Learning
    Playschool
    Poem For Children
    Poem For Children 8+ Years
    Positive Attitude
    Preschool
    Preschool Activities
    Preschool Games
    Preschoollibraryactivity
    Pretend Play
    Problem Solving
    Programs For Children
    Reframing
    Regg
    Reggio Documentation
    Reggio Emilia Inspired Preschool
    Reggio-emilia Inspired Preschool
    Reggio Emilia Inspired Preschool India
    Reggio-emilia Inspired Preschool India
    Reggio Emilia Inspired School
    Reggio Emilia Preschool Bangalore
    Resolving Disputes
    Resolving Fights Amongst Children
    Role Plays
    Self Expression
    Self Identity
    Self-identity
    Self Learning
    Self-learning
    Selflove
    Sensory Play
    Shy Child
    Shy Child To Talk
    Skills
    Social Emotional Learning
    Social-emotional Learning
    Sparkling Mindz
    Sparkling Mindz Stories
    Sports
    Stories
    Story Telling
    Story-telling
    Success Stories
    Summer Camp
    Summer Camp 2012
    Summer Camps
    Takehome
    Team Work
    Thinkers
    Thinking
    Thinking As A Habit
    Thinking As A Process
    Thinking Corner
    Thinking Program
    Thinking Skill
    Thinking Skills
    Thinking Skills For Children
    Thinking Skills Program
    Tinkering
    Traditional-classroom
    Trust Based Parenting
    Understanding-children
    Value Based Learning
    Visit To Park
    Visualization
    Weekend Activities For Children
    Wittyconversations
    Wonder Based Learning
    Workshop For Kids
    Workshops For Children
    Workshops For Kids
    Young Achievers Academy
    Young Thinkers Academy

Announcements

Admissions are open for 2020-21 batches. Limited seats remaining. Call us at +91 9900080331/2 for more details. Click here to register.

The season 3 of our TED-Ed Clubs are open now! As we are waiting for talks to get published, you can see past videos here!
​​
Next Trinity Communication Skills exam will be held in Oct 2020 at Sparkling Mindz. Our students have achieved distinction across grade levels in the exam the past two consecutive years! Enroll in our Young Thinkers and Achievers Program here today to participate. 


If you are passionate about innovative and joyous teaching and learning and want to be a part of SM Community. Apply here!

Locations
Hennur - 8/4, Kannuru, Bidarahalli Hobli, Hennur-Bagalur Road, Bangalore 562149
Kalyan Nagar - 408, 2nd Floor, 5th Main, HRBR Layout 2nd Block, Kalyan Nagar, Bangalore - 43

Contact Details
Mobile: +91 9900080331

                 +91 9900080332
Phone: +91 80 4111 5607
Email: contact@sparklingmindz.in

Company

About Us
Team
​
Child-Led Missions
Careers
Media

Support

Contact
FAQ
Terms of Use
​Privacy Policy
© COPYRIGHT 2011-2023 AVIDA EDUCATIONAL TRUST.