An Art & Craft in Integral Education programme was conducted with 35 teacher trainees of the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Lawspet, in Puducherry on September 25, 2018. The session was conducted by Art in Education Enthusiasts Kiran and Hrishikesh – both practitioners in the field of Integral Education. The programme focused on how to develop an aesthetically rich and age-specific environment in school based on a relevant context wherein children naturally become more inquisitive and volitionally come forward to learn. During the session, participants were also given an experience of integral development through Arts & Craft.

The session started with a discussion on the need for Art & Craft in Education and how to make teaching contextual so that the learning process becomes joyful and interesting. Since the programme was organized by the DIET team to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the participants were facilitated to explore the process of invoking inner peace and learn the art of crafting the symbol of peace along with flowers and flower-baskets. They thoroughly enjoyed the session and were curious to learn more.

During reflection, all the participants realized that these activities could help promote a sense of beauty and harmony in work, body, mind and emotions.