About Village Tods
Village Tods was born in November of 1985. A group of the residents of Garden Village played a pivotal role in starting the conversation to establish a Pre-school in Maitland area of Cape Town, South Africa. The Residents Association approached the Rotary club of Table Bay. Mrs Porter from Porter Sigma was hands on in conjunction with Grassroots Education Trust in establishing the School.
As an Independent NPO (Non Profit Organisation), Village Tods recently partnered with Ananda Kutir Education Trust as a pilot project which aims to introduce ‘Integral Yoga’ into young children.
Background to the Project
A strategic planning session was held in October 2013 with the view to invite individuals from relevant organisations to contribute towards the plan of realising the establishment of the Children of Light School. Individuals from the following organisations participated in the discussion:
- Western Cape Department of Education
- Montessori Schools
- Montessori Training Programme
- Representatives of the community of Maitland
- Yoga teachers
- Principal of Village Todds Educare
- Academics from the University of the Western Cape and University of Cape Town
Task Team
The outcome of the discussion was the formation of a task team to establish a Pilot Project at Village Tods Educare in Garden Village, Maitland.
Composition of Task Team
Marchelle Whitebread Task Team Coordinator
Hilary Harker Yoga Teacher
Estelle Raymond Yoga Teacher
Caroline Booysen Principal of Village Tods Educare
Triveni Fredericks
Maitri Makan
Amit Makan
The objectives of the Task Team are :
- Consultations with the Community and School Governing Body in Garden Village, Maitland
- Consultations and engagements with Parents and Teachers at Village Tods Educare
- Implementation of the ‘Life is Yoga’ Programme with children and teachers
- Development of the Business Plan with Budget
- Management and co-ordinaton of Research Programme, and develop the Terms of Reference. The aim is to assess the impact of Integral Yoga on the children
- Raise awareness by developing a Yoga Brochure
Consultation
The community consultation and school governing body meeting took place on the 4th February 2013 and the Parent and Teacher meeting was held on the 11th February 2014, which was lead by the principal, namely Caroline Booysen. The philosophy of the Life is Yoga programme was shared with the participants.
The key message shared to all was that the programme promotes universal teachings of values and is not faith based.
Life is Yoga Programme
The Life is Yoga Programme aims to encompass activities which will harmoniously enhance and bring out the physical, the emotional, the mental, the social and spiritual aspects of the child. The children will actively engage in age appropriate activities which will be presented to them in a fun filled and playful way, as this is the way children learn. The activities will be integrated into the daily class timetable and be aligned to the learning outcomes as set by The Western Cape Department of Education and Department of Social Development.
Physical Development
- Body movement
- Strengthens and balances skeletal, muscular, nervous and endocrinal systems
- Breath control
- Ensure health of the internal organs and flexibility of the spine
Mental Development
- Development of concentration and capacity of attention
- Thought control
- Development of mental silence and calmness for total receptivity to inspirations
- Stimulates left and right brain
Emotional Development
- Character building, character awareness and control
- Development and use of sense organs
- Development of morals and ethics
- Stress Management
- Develop confidence and a healthy body image
Spiritual Development
- Live and act with awareness
- Cultivate mindfulness in daily life
Social Development
- Creative ways to interact with family, friends and community
- Interaction with people and the environment
At Village Tods Educare
Hilary Harker and Estelle Raymond, as Yoga Teachers, have voluntarily committed and dedicated their time in implementing the programme. The programme is aligned with the Village Tods Educare times and learning outcomes.
A Typical Lesson
- Awareness and settling in – 2 to 3mins
- Introduction/discussion relating to weekly living value – 2 to 3 mins
- Breathing and/or singing – 2 to 3 mins
- Visualisation(using the imagination and story- telling) – 2 to 3 mins
- Asanas (Physical movements) – 20 mins
Times
- 10h00 – 10h30 3 to 4 year old
- 10h30 – 11h00 4 to 5 year old
- 11h00 – 11h30 5 to 6 year old
Values
- Be good, do good
- Be truthful at all times (veracity)
- Have a big heart (generosity)
- Love all (adaptability)
- Share with all (charity)
- Be pure in heart, word and deed (purity)
- Avoid becoming angry (non-irritability)
- Respect everybody (humility)
- See good in all (absence of vanity)
- Be calm and peaceful (equanimity)
- Stick to your goals (tenacity and fixity)
- Be regular in your daily practices (regularity)
- Be joyful (serenity)
- Harmony in thought, word and deed (sincerity)
- Have a simple life (simplicity)
- Have high principles (integrity)
- Ignore the faults of others (magnanimity)
- Appreciate the good qualities in others (nobility)
3. Pilot Project
Research Pilot Programme
Purpose of Research
To show that Integral Yoga makes a difference to the lives of children between the ages 3-6
The results of the research will be used in promoting ‘Integral Yoga’ and illustrate its impact, which will also be used in securing funding towards the establishment of Children of Light School managed on Integral Yoga principles, whilst being aligned with government legislations and policies.
To show how the Integral Yoga programme impacts on the lives of children.
To provide insights, so that the Integral Yoga may be revised if necessary, in order to increase its effectiveness.
Research design
Pilot Programme at an existing school, the research will be conducted at Village Todds Educare and shall be on a qualitative basis.
The ages of the children that will participate in the research shall be between the ages of 3-4, 4-5, and 5-6 years.
Currently there are 100 children at Village Todds Educare school
Determined outcomes of Life is Yoga programme
- Improved physical skills
- Improved mental skills
- Improved emotional skills
- Improved spiritual skills
- Improved social skills
