Infant class activities – Alfredo Perez-Lozano & Shubha Venkatesh

Teacher's Reflections

The Bala Vihar infant class warmly welcomes children aged 0-3 years for a delightful and immersive experience alongside their parents! Between the opening and closing prayers, the class engages in singing, chanting, and dancing, complemented by group play. This group play helps children become comfortable with one another while fostering skills like sharing and taking turns. We also incorporate yoga for the little ones into our activities. It is a great introduction to the Chinmaya community where they can begin to understand structure, and build bonds with peers they will be growing up with in Bala Vihar.

We seamlessly integrate counting, reading, color identification, introduction to Hindu Gods, and general knowledge with playtime, books, toys, puzzles, and songs. Our teachings focus on morals, kindness, Hindu Bala stories, and the importance of being brave. We believe that even little ones can do big things, and we strive to instill this confidence in them through our activities. We also occasionally collaborate with other Bala Vihar grade levels, where older kids can read to and connect with the toddlers, which they really enjoy.

On sunny days, we enjoy group walks, where you can witness the sweet bonding that occurs. Our closing prayers are always followed by a visit to Shadras kitchen, where we savor the delicious flavors prepared by our wonderful volunteers.

We emphasize sharing and discipline, encouraging children to sit and participate actively. Every child is engaged in the activities, ensuring no one is left out. Kids are ingrained to keep the room tidy, and you can regularly see them clean up while chanting “clean up, clean up.” The songs we learn are set to the tunes of common English nursery rhymes and some original Chinmaya tunes, adding a unique touch to our musical sessions.

It is truly lovely to engage and bond with both the students and their parents in this class. The connections we build create a warm and supportive community, making each session a joyful and enriching experience for everyone involved.