In July 2011, Aha! Kindergarten started its first year, with 6 children from Auroville between 3 to 6 years of age.
Inspired by the vision and principles of Integral Education, the objectives of Aha! are outlined, as follows:
- To create a facilitating environment for children where they feel free to explore, interact, discover and develop faculties and parts of their being.
- To encourage parent participation in creating such an environment and facilitation so that there is a continuum established between the home and the school.
- To initiate a process of self-discovery and insight, and kindle the active imagination of the being towards knowledge.
Throughout the school year, we held regular study circles with parents and teachers in order to build a harmonious relationship and an understanding of the ideals and objectives of education in early childhood. This aided in preparing ourselves to understand and address effectively the needs of children.
The content of the program that we developed in the year focussed on:
- refining the senses
- strengthening the fine and gross motor skills
- providing enriching activities for physical and mental development, while accommodating individualized needs of each child
- providing freedom to children in their explorations from where they gradually take their own learning responsibility
- creating an atmosphere where children can socialize with trust and experience the joy of being together
- creating a bridge between the home and school.
One of the major thrust areas for Aha! has been bridge-building between the Home and the School. Parents are encouraged to learn about and engage in discussions with the team about integral philosophy as we see it. Parents are deeply involved in snack-making, washing, arranging, reading, building, walking, and playing with the children. All this has allowed the children to see Aha! as an extension of home and thus they are comfortable in the space. Sensitive children have felt supported and out-going children have experienced a space for self-expression. Adopting the Aha! approach and taking that approach home has benefited both the parents and children allowing the adults and children to progress through daily challenges into relationships of mutual respect.
It has been a process of growth and learning for parents and facilitators as well. All contributed their time and energy and took responsibility for the functioning and development of the kindergarten.