Back to School in 2018

There were a number of changes that welcomed everyone back to school in January this year. The classroom has been moved to a cooler room in the house and focusses on educational instruction and games, storybooks and creative artwork. Teachers have also created separate play areas in other rooms; a place to have fun with toy cars and trucks; a quiet corner to enjoy a peaceful picnic using the miniature ceramic tea set; and of course a space for washing up after mealtimes.  We also discovered changes outside the school. On the first day back we were able to fill a bowl with shiny ripe tomatoes picked from the vegetable garden and some of the sunflowers were taller than the kids! A wonderful donation of musical instruments has given us the chance to introduce a weekly music session.  Juliet, our school helper currently runs the music class which the children thoroughly enjoy. They bring their own natural rhythm and enthusiasm to this last class of the week, making sure that we always end on a high note.

End of year celebration

Our school year ended on a high note with teachers, learners, moms and siblings enjoying a lovely picnic in the park. Relaxing under the trees gave moms and teachers some time to share what had been learnt in the classroom and also what shifts had been observed in the children. Before going home each child received a gift bag filled with toys as well as practical items and three of the learners also received journals in recognition of good attendance. As an expression of thanks to their moms the children then presented each mother with a decorated pine cone that they had created in class. We ended our picnic to the joyful sound of the children singing their favourite song “Jesus’s love is like a circle, a circle big and round, big and round….”

Children in the classroom

As an initial phase of the school we have commenced with six children aged 4 to 6 years. The children reside in an informal settlement known as Vygieskraal which is situated on wetlands in Cape Town. Vygieskraal comprises of informal housing (shacks) where residents have access to communal water, electricity and ablution facilities.

The school provides daily transport and meals for the children. The aim is to create a safe space for them to ‘be’, to play and explore, thereby enabling them to learn and live out their true and highest potential. The morning ring is a quiet time when we all sit together and welcome the day. The children know that this is a safe space where they are given time to process external sensory stressors and express themselves.

Devi Harker

Open Day High Tea

 

The Children of Light School Open Day on 30 September was a warm and wonderful event creating a sense of excitement at No 105, 1st Avenue, Rondebosch East, in Cape Town! Councillor Mark Kleinschmidt was our guest speaker and with his many years of experience as an educator and headmaster had some inspiring words to pass on to us as we welcome our first group of children to the school. Six children from Vygieskraal, an informal settlement on the Cape Flats, will start on 17th October. These 4 – 5 year old children who have missed out on any kind of foundation phase education now have access to an early childhood development program at the Children of Light School. This education program is child-centred and supports and enhances the physical, mental, emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual aspects of the child.

Working closely with the Vygieskraal community leaders we hope to strengthen connections between educators, parents, children and the community. Healthy personal attitudes and relationships make for happy families and children; but even more importantly, a healthy and harmonious society.

Devi Harker

Pilot Project – Growing in 2015

IMG_0101 (2)

  • A Labyrinth with a beautiful view of the mountain has been created at the school with the help of sponsorship.
  • A Funder from the financial sector, excited by the impact that the pilot project is having on the children and teachers is funding improvements to playground equipment and the school garden.
  • 4th year students studying Occupational Therapy at UWC are due to conduct a qualitative research study on the pilot project, during the 3rd term this year.
  • Communication continues with WCED on aligning the ‘Life is Yoga’ program with the foundation phase CAPS curriculum.
  • A Yoga class for parents has started, in response to recent survey results. Teachers are welcome to join on this evening too.
  • A Community Yoga class has started in the Community Hall following a request from a Community Leader of the Greenlight project.
  • Yoga teacher Hilary is raising awareness in the school and community about Electromagnetic Radiation in response to the proposal by MTN to erect a cellphone mast on the school property.
  • Berry Gargan of Taxi Radio interviewed Caroline Booysen and Hilary Harker to “unpack what the pilot project was about. Also to share what kind of impact it is having on teachers, parents and children”.

What the Teachers are saying!

“With yoga I’m more calm.”

“I can see my children improving. Some are even doing yoga on their own. They are more calm. The girls were teaching the boys the other day.”

“I’m learning to say things in a certain way and that I can take a breather, calm down and be in the moment – not worrying.”

What the Parents are saying!

“I think it is amazing. Please continue the excellent work. Yoga rocks!”

“She is very confident in herself since doing yoga.”

“I feel relaxed when he is calm and relaxed. It helps him really.”

“She does some of it at home. She even lets me do it with her.”

What the Children are saying!

“Yay, here’s yoga. Hello yoga!”

“I show my mommy how to do yoga.”

“I like to be a lion.”

“Teacher, where do you get your yogas?”

 

 

Ananda Kutir Education Trust: Pilot Project at Village Tods Educare Centre

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

Untitled

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

hilarykids

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