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Everything Is Connected, Can You See It?

15/9/2022

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Children make connections all the time, that's one of the ways they make sense of the world around them. The more their connections expand the more deeper and wider their thinking become. Here is an instance of how a child made a connection to what he learnt in a different context.

This morning during the book reading session with out 3- 4 YO we read a book called The Way I Feel by Janan Cain. Children began by revisiting the emotions they were already familiar with through a song and picked 2 new vocabulary "Silly" and "Scared" from the book to go deeper. Children explored silly by showing different funny expressions and scared by drawing instances where they felt scared.

Later that day during the Sports hour, children were learning to kick the ball in the playground. 4 YO K with all his strength kicked a ball and his shoes went flying in the air. He picks his shoes and comes running towards the facilitator for help and says "Silly!"

Connection making is a crucial skill that helps in the cognitive development of children, the skill involves recalling information from our memory, compare and contrast and chunking and sorting. Eg. K made a connection between the shoe flying and how that made him feel and used the new word he learnt to describe it.



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When these connections are brought to their notice, it'll enable them to make more connections across different areas of their life and in different context helping them see learning as integrated rather then in fragments.

At SM connected learning in one of our values, we believe that learning is deeper and wider when all the learning areas (Math, Science, Social Studies, Languages) are connected to each other and in turn connected to life. And children learn concepts in connection to their life hence making learning purposeful and whole. Additionally here, when you can learn to laugh at yourself it's a gift the child takes for life.

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

#sparklingmindzglobalpreschool
#inspiringconfidentlearners
#21stcenturylearning
#makingconnections
#everychildcan
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'Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la la la!

24/6/2022

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'Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la la la!

No no, not Christmas but jolly because our preschoolers are in school!

With wonder in their eyes,

They have embarked,

On a magical exploration train,

Soaking in all the sights and colours,

Experiencing play through all their senses,

Making new friends and playing together,

Challenging themselves every step of the journey!

#sparklingmindzglobalpreschool
#inspiringconfidentlearners
#reggioemiliainspired
#21stcenturylearning
#socialemotionallearning
​
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Look at Who Will be Welcoming Our Preschoolers Back Next Month!

26/4/2022

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An environment is a living, changing system. More than the physical space, it includes the way time is strucutured and the roles we are expected to play. It conditions how we feel, think, and behave; and it dramatically affects the quality of our lives. The environment either works for us or against us as we conduct our lives.
- Jim Greenman 

Space is an indispensable component in the Reggio Emilia approach towards education. The space or the environment is considered to be the third teacher after parents and facilitators according to the philosophy. Being a Reggio inspired school, space set up is an integral part of our curriculum planning and every element of space is thought through and placed with an intention to enable communication between children, with adults in the system and with the space itself. 

This year as we plan to embarked on another exciting academic journey, we decided to redesign our space by bringing our unique Sparkling Mindz characters to invite children to be part of their inspiring stories of exploration and wonder. We used the glass sliding doors in each classroom as portals to the world of interaction, exploration, imagination and movement. 

Each door holds a scene from the stories of Cloudsy, Braiynee Bee, Flexi Daisy, Treeous, Q.marq, Randall and Animo's adventurous lives painted carefully with an objective to spark thinking and discussions as we eagerly await children to return to school post their summer vacations.

#sparklingmindzglobalpreschool
#inspiringconfidentlearners
#reggioemiliainspired
#designthinkingprocess
​#spacedesign
#21stcenturylearning
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The 100 Languages of Our Preschool Children!

27/1/2022

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"The child is made of one hundred" - Loris Malaguzzi

This Children's Day our preschool children explored their 100.


What does this 100 stand for? And what are these 100 that children are made of? What does it exactly mean?
​

When we asked children what they thought about it, this is what they shared,

"All our hands together make hundred hands"
"We have hundred brains, million words and powers"
"Hundred thoughts and infinite powers"
"Hundred ways of playing with cars"

Children understood that the '100' are not literal things but a representation of the variety within them, and the diversity of their potential.

We then set out on a journey together to explore further how these hundred ways of thinking, expressing, and wondering translated in our classes.

Take a look and journey along with us.

​
#sparklingmindzglobalpreschool
#inspiringconfidentlearners
#100languagesofchildren
#reggioemiliainspired
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That Time When Our 2 Y/O Saw The Rain!

3/8/2021

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​A bunch of 2yr olds were on the school terrace when it started to rain. We all took cover and started singing a rain song. Just then-

A: Ma'am it's raining!
Me: How do you know that? Can you see it?
A (and others in chorus): We can hear it.
Me: Why can't you see it?
A: Is white, no color (perhaps indicating transparent)

Suddenly the rain pours

A: Is loud.
Me: What does that mean?
T: It means it is coming fast, fast
R: I can even see it now!

Suddenly it stops.

A: Ma'aaam, it stopped
Me: How do you know that?
T: No sound
Me: Do you think it will come back to play with all of you?

They all laugh and giggle and we continue our song.

Children feel closely connected with nature and puzzle over natural phenomena and try to make sense of it all! They feel joy in feeling like they have control over it and they can predict and understand it.

Do any of you have children's rain stories to share?

Written by Sreeja Iyer, CEO & Co-founder, Sparkling Mindz Global School & Preschool

#inspiringconfidentlearners
#sparklingmindzglobalpreschool
#natureplay
#reggioemiliaapproach
#playbasedlearning
#21stcenturylearning
#socialemotionallearning
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Child is Not Just a Roll Number

1/8/2021

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I heard a parent in one of our Parenting as a Skill Workshops say, "My child at Sparkling Mindz is not just a roll number".

The moment that I captured there seemed to have awakened something within me and took me to remembering the days when I was perhaps just another number in my class all through the years of my school and college years.

This led me to wonder, does our education system look at children as just another roll number, another head to count in the attendance register? Or another business number? 

I wondered some more. What about each child? What about their capabilities, curiosities, imagination, wonder, sense of belonging, identities? Are we raising children for them to be chiseled according to someone else's dreams/choices/perspectives? What about the individuality? The choices that they can make? Or truly hearing each of them out- their voice? 


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The more I wondered, the more suffocated I felt, like being wrapped up in a plastic bag. 

Now imagine our children being wrapped in plastic bags until their formal education is complete. There then comes expectations higher than one's self of them ripping those bags open and flying high...expecting them to be independent, think for themselves, and be creative! 
​

How would the child cope as an adult - having lived through someone else's realities and expectations? Where are they to develop the essential skills to live their lives from? A space where children are to be cherished, loved, nurtured and taught essential skills to manage themselves in every way, I asked myself, are we failing as a society? Is it not time for a change? A revolution, perhaps?

We at Sparkling Mindz believe that it is!

Contributed by Grace Veronica, Learning Facilitator at Sparkling Mindz Global School & Preschool. 

#sparklingmindzglobalschool
#sparklingmindzglobalpreschool
#inspiringconfidentlearners
#youngachieversacademy
#parentingasaskill
#facilitatordiaries
#thinkingasaprocess
​
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A Melody of Colors in a Medley of Droplets!

17/7/2021

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When we think about painting with liquid paint, our thoughts normally go into paint brush, water, a palette with colors we need to create what we are about to paint.

​Now let's imagine this,  we are given lots of paint but no paint brush? Along with it, a big white canvas. And we are told, "Paint whatever you want!"

What will we do?

A similar situation happened at our Cubs' class today. 
Our 4 to 5 year olds were invited to paint today with a twist: dip only the palms and SPLASH!!!!! 

And the result? A melody of droplets in a medley of colours (below).
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ITP (Invitation To Play) at SM is the first few minutes of the beginning of their day where children are invited to simply let go and play!

From giving a specific set of materials to lots of different kinds of materials, to sometimes no materials, children are given the space to explore from ranges of semi- to unstructured play.

ITP, for facilitators, is also the time when they get to see so much more about their children than what they can see such as, how do they work together, how independently can someone play, what all happens in their imagination, what emotion are they carrying, and so much more.

Play being an important component in the development of young children (especially), in Reggio Emilia learning philosophy itself, the value of play is immeasurable indeed and ITPs are a space of celebration here at Sparkling Mindz!

On this particular day, this first 15 minutes of the starting of their day not only uplifted their spirits, bringing in joy, love, excitement, wonder, and more, but also developing a sense of camaraderie and collaboration between each other too, as there were just 5 bowls full of paint, and 12 children.
And in this particular Cubs' classroom today, there were lots of laughter, wonder, awe, 'what else can I create', 'what does this look like', to a loooooooot more of 'Oh WOW, look at these colors!'

​And merrily they went looking forward to begin day in unison, to learn and grow together.

Is play only for children though? When was the last time you simply...played? Do let us know in the comments below. 
​
Contributed by Sruthy Krishna, Learning Facilitator, Sparkling Mindz Global School & Preschool. 

#inspiringconfidentlearners
#sparklingmindzglobalschool
#playbasedlearning
#reggioemiliainspired
#21stcenturylearning
#socialemotionallearning
#everychildcancreate
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Are Bottles The Only Thing You Can Open With Your Strength?

9/6/2021

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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



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Top SME Business of the Year 2021 Award

12/5/2021

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Top SMEs of 2021 award


​"I'm very happy to announce that we have been selected by Great Companies as one of the Top SMEs of 2021.

Right from when we started this journey we have been taking unique paths and unexpected turns as we work towards our mission of Inspiring Confident Learners and Changemakers amongst children today.

To all those who have believed in our vision and supported us through all these years, here's another validation and milestone of achievement. As always many, many miles more to go as our work has just begun.

Thank You for all the trust and support!"
- Sreeja Iyer, Founder & CEO, Sparkling Mindz Global School, Preschool, and Afterschool

#sparklingmindzglobalschool
#sparklingmindzglobalpreschool

#inspiringconfidentlearners
#youngachieversacademy
#21stcenturylearners
#socialemotionallearning
#reggioemiliainspiredlearningphilosophy
#awardsandrecognition

​
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A Paper Mache Adventure By Our Preschool Facilitators!

27/4/2021

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Inspired by the nature, Reggio-Emilia system, and wanting to use less of the non-degradable materials, our facilitators decided to take things into their own hands and create bowls using paper. 

So they got together on  a Saturday morning, during the weekly training session, and embarked on an adventure to creating paper mache! 


​
Once the torn papers were soaked for the weekend, on Monday post class, they got back together to continue their journey towards creating bowls. The soaked papers were mashed with flour, oil, fevicol and water to create the below, and put out to dry. 


Picture
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​At Sparkling Mindz Global, it's not just the children who have fun learning and creating, but the facilitators too; making mistakes, learning through them, co-creating a safe, happy and creative environment for each other and growing  together as a community!

#reggioemiliainspiredlearning
#sparklingmindzglobalpreschool
​#inspiringconfidentlearners
#facilitatorlearningdiaries
#learningneverstops

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


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