An Art & Craft in Integral Education programme was conducted by Sri Aurobindo Society with 42 pre-primary teachers at the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Lawspet, in Puducherry.  The session conducted on January 10, 2019, was focused on how to develop an aesthetically rich and age-specific environment in schools based on a context wherein children themselves become more inquisitive and volitionally come forward to learn. In the session teachers were also given an experience of integral development via Arts & Craft.

The session started with a discussion on the need for Art & Craft in Education and to make the teaching context based so that the learning becomes joyful and interesting. Following the discussion, teachers explored some indoor games with variations which could also help meet their learning outcomes. Few easy physical exercises were taught to help children develop their physical strength and gross motor skills. “Birthday” was the theme for the participants this time. Teachers learnt to make a popcard cards through which math, language, vocabulary and different themes could be introduced to children. They thoroughly enjoyed the session and were curious to learn even more.

During reflection, the teachers realized that these activities could help promote a sense of beauty in everyday life and learned how to work on the body, mind and emotion of a child.

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