Date: May 2016
Place: Auro Mirra International School and Mirambika School for New Age, Bengaluru
May 23-25, 2016
An Art & Craft Workshop was conducted over three days from May 23 to 26, 2016, at Auro Mirra International School, Bengaluru with pre-primary teachers. The workshop’s main objective was the integral growth of children using Art & Craft. The workshop began with imagination through visualisation activity which can be used for multiple purposes—for instance, to teach a subject, to relax the body & mind, to widen the imagination and so on. A silent origami session was conducted to understand the value of inner and outer silence while being engaged in any activity experienced, in this instance, through butterfly and crane making. Stone painting, paper wallet and a few other craft activities were taken up with great enthusiasm by the teachers which they can use in the classroom. All the teachers made masks with POP fracture bandage which can help our children to be patient, gentle with others, sensitive and caring; at the same time, they also help improve their fine-motor skills, imagination and creativity. These masks can be used for multiple purposes such as for drama, puppetry, inner expression, creativity, decoration and others. Masks can also be used over and over again by repainting them. The teachers participated enthusiastically in all the activities and enjoyed the session thoroughly.
The craft workshop was conducted by Kiran, an art in education enthusiast, artist and resource facilitator—Art & Crafts in Integral Education of ICIE (an initiative of Sri Aurobindo Society, based on the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother).
Feedback
From the first day to the final one, the Art & Craft workshop was excellent. It started with a simple silent origami session. We learnt how to make butterflies. We observed Kiran didi and followed what she did. We then learnt how to create cranes which was a little difficult, but we were able to do it. Mask making was the best of everything we learnt from Kiran didi. She was awesome. She helped me at each and every step. We learnt numerous activities which we can engage children in. I enjoyed her class the most. – Selvi. R, pre-primary teacher
The three days’ Art & Craft workshop was a wonderful experience. It helped me to learn origami and several new activities such as stone art & mask making. We also got an idea about how we can modify these activities according to age groups. Along with these, I also learnt how to develop strength via these activities such as creativity, eye-hand coordination, concentration, imagination, fine-motor skills, patience and so on. It was a fascinating session.
– Manmeet Kaur, pre-primary teacher
It was really refreshing with tons of ideas to create beautifully. I liked the mask making idea which can be improvised to adapt to the pre-primary O level where very young kids are involved. The whole workshop was fun-filled amalgamated with creativity. The origami exercise involved proper posture building where physical well-being can be achieved along with creating something wondrous. I am looking forward to be a part of such workshops in the future. A huge thanks to Kiran didi—eagerly waiting for your next workshop.
– Anandita, pre-primary teacher
The three days’ workshop conducted by Kiran didi was a fun experience with a lot of learning. I got to know about origami, stone painting, POP mask making, flower making with paper, wallet making and a lot more. It was definitely a rejuvenating experience for me, and as a teacher I got a lot of ideas which I would be able to share with my students in the classroom. Thank you Kiran didi for helping me to learn more about craft and sharing so many ideas with us.
– Nibha Prakash, pre-primary teacher
27, 28 & 30 May, 2016
An Art & Craft Workshop was conducted over three days on May 27, 28, & 30, 2016 at Mirambika School for New Age (MFSNA), Bengaluru, with 50 teachers and 50 students participating. The workshop’s primary objective was the integral growth of children through Art & Craft. The workshop began with imagination through visualisation activity which can be used for multiple purposes; for instance, it can be used to teach a subject, to relax the body and mind, to improve the power of imagination and so on. This activity helps in enhanced perception and learning that lasts long. The ‘origami’ session was conducted with silent observation where teachers made butterflies and flowers without any verbal communication. They also learnt how to make flowers, snowflakes, dancing dolls and paper baskets of various patterns with one basic folding.
Fifty children of grade 9 participated enthusiastically in making paper umbrellas, flower bouquets and decorative items. Through these activities they understood the significance of concentration and awareness which is essential for everything we do. They enjoyed the session thoroughly and created beautiful artefacts.
Collective Feedback by the Principal and Participant Teachers
The workshop Art & Craft in Integral Education (ACIIE) was held on May 27, 28 and 30, 2016. It was again conducted by Ms. Kiran from Sri Aurobindo Society in Puducherry. The exposure to the workshop was a first time experience for many teachers. It provided an immense opportunity to expand their verbal and nonverbal communication.
The workshop helped teachers to evolve with innovative learning and teaching strategies and enhance creativity. It provided a focused environment and aided aesthetic development.
Every experience was a learning tool for teachers and students at the Art & Craft workshop. It provided insight to make use of cognitive and fine-motor skills for a variety of presentations such as poster, drawing, poetry, painting, prop making and so on.
Teachers and students enjoyed the activity as it gave a sense of accomplishment and boosted self-confidence integrated with five aspects of Integral Education—integrated with values such as Psychic, Vital, Mental, Physical and Spiritual.
To conclude, it would help the teachers to connect with students via the lessons and classroom activities.
Finally it established that a teacher is not a taskmaster but a facilitator, a guide and a mentor.
– Principal & Team, MFSNA, Bengaluru