Imagine an educational system which gives more importance to how you think rather than what you think. Imagine an educational process where learning is not just limited to traditional subjects like English, History or Geography but also leaps to the practical subjects of Life. A process like this used to be nothing but an ideal of a utopian scenario for a very long time, as formal education was so incredibly narrow in its approach. Anything beyond the boundaries of the conservative methods was deemed incongruous. But not anymore, for minds are changing. Conventional ways are now taking a turn for the better, and education itself is undergoing a metamorphosis. Education is no more constricted to only a tiny aspect but is now expanding its horizon to the bigger picture. It is now integrating everything and anything possible to help an individual learn and evolve in a far better way than what the obsolete traditional educational system could have accomplished. Yes, the Utopia, which seemed inaccessible before, is now right here, in this moment.
Pre-School, an education program of Touching Lives, makes an attempt to help the children experience this educational ideal, and to rise to a level which would be the most suitable to them. It uses an innovative approach of Integrated Learning in Education to make sure that every child enjoys the greater slice of life. It also ensures that no child succumbs to the feeling of chagrin felt due to the neglect of his/her natural thirst for knowledge.
Here is the detail synopsis of the Integrated Learning method at Pre-School.
Experimentation
Integrated- Learning formed the theme for Pre-school this year. It was because we believed that there are infinite possibilities through which a child could learn. It was to unleash all of these infinite possibilities in experimental ways, so that learning could be both innovative and fun simultaneously. It was formed to facilitate education to be holistic and complete in its approach, so that no child leaves feeling regressed or dissatisfied.
Goals
- To make all the children independent learners, not just in academics but in life as well.
- To help them gain a strong body-mind-soul balance.
- To help them learn academics in the easiest possible ways.
- To build a sense of foundation for all the theoretical and practical subjects of life.
- To help them connect with their feelings.
- To give them better pathways to think.
- To help them love, accept and forgive themselves, as well as others.
Methods
1) Integrating knowing with doing
2) Integrating various academic subjects
3) Integrating Different Basic Healing Techniques
4) Integrating learning with reflections
5) Integrating recreations with learning
Tools Used
We believe that the journey is more interesting than the destination. And so it is important for us to allow the children to discover their own paths, on which they can transform their knowledge into wisdom. For this very purpose, we use lots of tools and methods. Here are some them~
~ Stories
~ Learning through Educational Games
~ Healing through Playing
~ Therapy through Art
~ Awareness through dance/Music
~ Evolving through Reading and Learning
~ Fun with Numbers.
~ Digital Learning.
~ Silence
Conclusion
Integrated- Learning has thus helped us and the children to achieve the common goal of ‘Being Whole’ .It has assisted us to allow a child to focus on this moment and give is complete attention in here and now. It has also aided us in facilitating, a child towards freedom and happiness. Integrated- Learning thus bought a structure to our teachings and made it both easy-going and light.
Out of all It has helped us, mentors to Integrate ourselves in every way.