An Art & Craft in Integral Education programme was conducted by Sri Aurobindo Society on January 8, 2019, with 43 pre-primary teachers of the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Lawspet, Puducherry. The session was focused on how to develop physical health of children and on how to create an aesthetically rich and age-specific environment in school wherein children themselves become more inquisitive and volitionally come forward to learn. In the session, teachers were also given an experience of integral development through Arts & Craft.

The session started with easy physical exercises which can be done inside the classroom and few indoor games which help in developing alertness, concentration, awareness, eye-ear coordination, gross motor skills, quick responding, etc. All craft activities were designed for teachers to create the necessary environment of learning. Teachers enjoyed the session thoroughly and showed the eagerness to have more similar sessions wherein they can explore more and more.

During reflection they realized that these activities could help promote the sense of beauty in everyday life and develop intrapersonal and interpersonal skills. They also remarked that such processes could be instrumental in enhancing the senses and faculties such as fine motor skills, imagination, observation, sharing, attention and concentration span, etc.

The session was conducted by Art in Education Enthusiasts Kiran and Hrishikesh – both practitioners in the field of Integral Education.