Oct 8, 2023 - Kindergarten (Sunday AM)

Hari Om Parents,

Today was the 5th class of Balavihar!!  Here is the summary of what we covered in the class today:

Opening Prayers: All of us assembled in our classroom 'Krishna', we all chanted three OMs and then chanted the Opening Prayers - Sahana Vavatu. All kids chanted together and most of the kids know it by now.

Sloka time : We learnt Ganesh Sloka-Ekadantam Mahakayam and learnt the  meaning of each word and repeated it word by word a couple of times and then we repeated it line by line a couple of times. Audio will be shared in our whatsapp group please help kids practice.

                    

Introduction of the Letter of the day :  We discussed that we are learning the Vedanta alphabet and recaped that Letter A is for Aspiration  -Strong determination to achieve our goal. We can fulfill our Aspiration through hard work. 

And then moved onto next Letter B - Brotherhood is a Sense of togetherness and belonging among members of a family, neighborhood, city, organization and the world. 

Brotherhood can be achieved by Realizing that each individual is unique and every individual bringing forth unique characteristics make the world special. And the whole world is one big family. 

 Brainstorming : The Whole World is My Family : We discussed together how we are part of Earth and how homes belong to neighborhoods, neighborhoods make up cities, cities together make up States, States together make up Countries, and Countries make up Continents and Continents make up Planet Earth which is our home. Kids actively participated.

Then we introduced "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" - Vasudhaiva in Sanskrit refers to Mother Earth and Kutumba means Family - and hence it means that the Whole Earth, the Whole World is One Big Family.

 Story Time: Through the story of The Complete Picture - we learnt that just like crayons, each of us are unique and special. Only by respecting each other's individuality, and living in the brotherhood spirit, we together complete the picture of life.

Riddle : The meaning of HOME:  Every happy person sees OM in their home. Home is where a family lives, and a family that prays together stays happy together. 

 HOME stands for  H -  Happy  

                             OM - Lord 

                               E    - Ever 

 Activity: Sharing is Brotherhood -  We played 2 games in the class :

  1. Passing the Ball- Change game- Kids sat in a circle and were divided into 2 groups - and they had to pass the ball forward to their neighboring team member, and if they heard the word 'Change' they had to pass it in reverse order.

  2. Four Color Corners game- We placed one colored sticky note in each of the corners, and when a specific color was called, they had to go to that corner.  

And through this, it was emphasized that Sharing and working together is a Brotherhood spirit. And this helps us live together in harmony. 

 Attendance: Attendance was taken and each kid responded by saying 'Hari Om'. 

 Introduction to Bhagvad Geeta : We then gave an introduction and an overview of the importance of Bhagvad Geeta and why we learn it and how it is useful for all of us.

 Geeta chanting: We learnt the 2nd and 3rd verse from Chapter 4 today and repeated the verses a couple of times. Please make the kids chant along, after Swamiji's chant in the videos. The video will be shared in the whatsapp group.

 It was another very interactive and interesting session with kids, kids participated very well. And enjoyed story time and the games.

 Wishing you and your family a Very Happy Navaratri  !!!   Have a wonderful week ahead!!  

Note: Next class is on Oct 29th, 2023. Please note no class on 10/15 and 10/22 due to Navratri.

Important Date: KG Annadanam/food donation: Saturday, October 21, 2023.  Monetary donations can be made via Venmo. A suggested donation of $15 or more can be venmoed to the Ashram account @chinmaya-Vrindavan, and please mention 'Soup kitchen' in the comments.

Sign up for the items you would like to contribute, and then hit submit at the bottom.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044fa4a72aa1fa7-balavihar1
Please drop off the items at the ashram on the specified tables marked!
Saturday, October 21, 2023 by 1 PM @ Chinmaya Vrindavan,
95 Cranbury Neck Road,
Cranbury, NJ 08512

Pranams
Mahalakshmi & Chandarani.