India laughed. Pakistan smiled. China giggled

India laughed out loud, Pakistan smiled and China giggled at a joke cracked by America. Inter country happiness? This can happen only at the World Forum on Early Childhood. Welcome to the World Forum 2014 at Puerto Rico. It has been a long wait but we are back with friends, colleagues sharing our work, our dreams, our problems and our solutions. The Sheraton is the host hotel and is buzzing with people checking in and then lounging at the pool. The working groups start their meetings and the first two days are abuzz with reports, plans and reviews. I am in the Nature Action Group and we are excitedly planning for a conference in New Zealand next March. We have a stone art session and true to our passion of early childhood we all design around children.

Patrick from Zimbabwe and I are to be the master of ceremony for the opening ceremony, we meet at the club lounge. Patrick is ready with his thoughts and speech and I am still clueless about what I am going to be saying. But in around an hour we have our thoughts in sync and are ready with a ‘smile cracking’ opening! That is the charm of the World Forum, you meet a complete stranger and in the next 10 minutes you are friends forever. We then move on to our most important task…exchanging blocks! This fascinating activity given to us first drove us into a frenzy of pouncing on anyone who had the block we wanted, and then slowly we toned down the competiveness and concentrated on the real reason for the activity, exchange blocks and make friends.

It’s time for the opening ceremony and I have yet to meet Pia Britto from UNICEF, USA, who I am supposed to introduce, well it’s time for the presenters and moderators introductory session which is meticulously planned by Bonnie with the little ‘worry dolls’, the stars, the certificates and hilariously conducted by Luis Hernandez, that man’s sense of humor should be patented. I turn around and there is Pia, we introduce ourselves and realize that we were on a panel at Malaysia World Forum, what a small world!

It’s the opening ceremony and wow the planning is down to each breath, each step and every small detail. Patrick and I manage to do a great job. World forum 2014 has begun with 840 delegates from 81 countries (1 goal-quality early childhood around the world) great speeches, and votes for the UNICEF petition so passionately roused by Pia.  Receptions for the national representatives and for the international organizing committee help me meet up with long lost friends, new friends and perspectives. Henry our great astronaut leader of the national representatives is constantly making sure we are all there, comfortable and acknowledged at next morning’s national representative walk on the dais. What a brilliant speech by Henry (he even acknowledged our work on the policy comparisons) and a collection of sunrises and smiling national rep faces organized by Selena Fox.

The World Forum is then a magnificent blur of sessions, plenary, wofonet, no host lunches, dinners, centre tours, Lakeshore activity room, discussions about early childhood, deliberations on the plenary, coffees, hugs, smiles, guffaws, giggles, yawns (only because of jet lag), exchanging cards, blocks and rushing across the long corridors searching for the session rooms, book exchange, more friends and lots of networking and actual working too!

I am speaking on a session on technology, about our ipad curriculum on Van Gogh and Mahatma Gandhi and how we made it developmentally appropriate and relevant. It is wonderful that there are hard core techies and non tech softies all part of the group! This is the world of World Forum you can be for or against an idea in early childhood but you are in it together, talking, discussing, debating, convincing, getting convinced but never ignored or rejected. Angela Fowler was our moderator and Sam Hall was my co speaker and very committed to technology in the early years, he had a very strong and relevant point to make, if young kids ears can listen to music recording and not live musical instrument then what is the harm if the eyes see things on the screen? I guess when the first human drew a picture on the cave walls; he must have been heavily criticized by all others that he will destroy the world, as pictures will replace real things! That is change; we take time to adjust to it. Another perspective at the same session, young toddlers do not need screen time as they are at the stage of making attachments and so need real humans. Good point till she said, ‘but my little granddaughter has made a connection with me solely through our regular Skype sessions as my daughter is in another continent!’ BALANCE. That is what I believe we need in everything in early childhood.

Is that the Early Childhood Association (ECA) logo as an alliance partner of the World Forum? Yippee, yes it is. It is a moment of great pride to see our very own association from India, which we have nurtured for last 3 years, is an alliance member of the World Forum community with other associations like naeyc. Thank you WoFo, thanks Roger and thanks to our great team at ECA.

I was excited to read about the article by Roger on early childhood policies in the latest Exchange magazine. This project of comparing the early childhood policies of almost 39 countries was all thanks to the national representatives who sent me the information, checked, rechecked and with Bonnie and Roger’s support and encouragement, a fantastic document is ready. Why did I start the project? Good question. I was visiting schools in Singapore while back in India the early childhood policy of the government was being passed. The questions that were foremost in my mind were,

1.     Why does every country reinvent the wheel? When many countries have successful early childhood policies, frameworks then why do countries not take the time to study, compare and take the best of what has worked for other countries and adapt accordingly?

2.     Why are the basic guidelines or the non negotiable not similar in policies around the world? After all  children deserve quality, right?

3.     Now that brain research has proven the importance of the early childhood years, isn’t it time to have a dedicated ministry for early childhood care, development and education?

4.     Should there not be a ministry that invests in our future?

5.     Or are we still complacent about relegating early childhood to be a part of women welfare or education or health ministries. Isn’t it getting lost?

6.     I know it is difficult but surely not impossible?

The national representative session on early childhood policies was a unique experience. I was the moderator and Henry the provocateur. Henry was at his patient best. And I was at my excited best! We were like Yin and Yang. Roger’s presence was appreciated and required. Group discussions followed. Some were passionate about their views, some happy with the way things were in their respective governments and some were willing to start a thought process. Change always begins with a small step… maybe a decade later when the first world government dedicates a ministry to early childhood, we will think of the World Forum as the starting point.

Sessions on community involvement and family engagement were of interest to me this year as my company is launching a unique family engagement website with expert involvement from Stephen Rushton (USA), Karen Graham (Wales) Toni Christie(New Zealand) and myself (India). The sessions I attended on family engagement were all interesting with so many new views to offer. Made more connections for our website. Watch out for news about our website in June 2014. The first people to view the ‘first look’ of the website were Bonnie and Roger.

What? It’s time for the closing ceremony? Wow, how time flies when you are happy, learning and making connections. I have a unique tradition for World Forum closing ceremonies, I never sit with people I know. Just because I want the last opportunity to make friends. And I did, Lisa Goodman from USA, who invited me to her centre as I was visiting New York on the way back home.

Brain research, research in early childhood, infants and toddlers, technology, early childhood policies, curriculum in the early years, designing spaces for children, family engagement and community involvement are just some of the sessions that I learnt from and revisited my knowledge with this year. The session on twitter and face book conducted by next generation Neugebauer was extremely interesting. I learnt about the importance of # in a tweet….really, I did not know.

My last evening was spent exploring the old San Juan city with my friend Irma, it was a great evening. What did I miss at the World Forum? Just home and vegetarian food ( America needs a lesson on vegetarian food) but then when you are at ‘a home away from home’ with so much food for thought you don’t miss it so much. I joined two new working groups, child rights and family engagement. On the way back home met up with Laura Henry in London, so much sharing and caring.

Will the next World Forum be in India? Maybe India is not ready for the World Forum or maybe the World Forum is not ready for India, wherever it is, we wait with excitement. Thanks Bonnie, Roger, Selena, Henry, all national representatives and all of the fantastic friends of WoFo. And a special thanks to Dr Podar for encouraging me to go on this trip, a voyage of learning and discovery and a pilgrimage of dedication and passion for early childhood care, development and education. – Swati Popat Vats. National Representative of World Forum for India. swatipopat@podar.net

Every Dot Counts...a message from every child to their parents.

Hi Parents, here is a cute letter from your kids...

 

Dear mummy and daddy,                                 

 

‘Every Dot Counts’- The ‘Dot’ has been an important part of my life every since I was born. Remember the little black ‘dot’ that you would apply on my forehead so that ‘no evil eye’ can harm me? As I grow older a lot of dots will be important and make a difference. You will tell me to ‘Dot’ my ‘i’. When I start writing sentences you will tell me to put a ‘Dot’ (full stop) at the end of the sentence. ‘Dot to dot’ activities of join the dots will teach me how to see the whole picture by joining the parts.

 

But there is another ‘Dot’ dear mummy and daddy that is very important for my future, the ‘Dot’ on your pointer finger! And this ‘Dot’, only you can get for me………by going to vote.

 

This ‘Dot’ will teach me about responsibility, when I see my parents taking their responsibility seriously I will learn a life long lesson on responsibility. This ‘Dot’ will also inculcate in me the ability to take informed decisions. I will see you discuss and debate and decide and it will teach me that for important decisions in life it is better to be informed. And did you know that this ‘Dot’ of yours is also very much like that ‘dot to dot’ activity that you give me? well, just like by joining all the dots I get to see a picture in my book, similarly by joining all the ‘Dots’ that each one of you gets on your pointer finger, the future of this country will be decided, the country where I am going to grow up. 

 

 

So mummy and daddy teach me all of the above and more, teach me that if you want to point a finger then it should be the one with a ‘Dot’! So please go and get a ‘Dot’ this year on your pointer finger as Every Dot Counts’.

 

My school has asked me to remind you to go and vote and get a ‘Dot’. So, this year make it count for me and my future. This year on voting day I will sing this song for you-

Where is pointer?

Where is pointer?

Here I am, here I am

Do I see a dot here?

Do I see a dot here?

Yes I do, yes I do.

I love you, I love you.

From your loving child.

 

So parents listen to your kids and when you choose who to vote for, think of your child’s future.

 

 

horrific holi to holistic holi celebrations

What does Holi mean for most women in cities and towns? That time of the year, when balloons will be hurled at them from balconies and terraces, not only when they are walking on the road but also when they are travelling by local train or rickshaws. Any woman is easy prey.

Thousands of gallons of water is wasted in urban housing societies, in this ‘balloon hurling-water wasting’ activity that starts almost 10 days before Holi, under the ‘watchful and guiding’ eyes of parents, especially mothers. Then there will be kids running around with a plastic AK47 and squirt all kinds of coloured water on unsuspecting passerby, more often than not, young girls and women. Who bought these gun pichkaris for them? No prizes for guessing!

And then as the day of Holi nears you hear the chant- Bura Na Mano Holi  Hai. Really? Does anything go in the name of Holi ? Hold a girl against her will? Then as she struggles put colour on her face and hair? And also take the opportunity while she is struggling to grope her? And then just chant- Bura Na Mano Holi  Hai? Disgusting. And this is glorified in our movies, our television serials and in our housing societies. And then we light candles and go on marches for women safety.

‘Orebhai fagun legechche bone bone’

Rabindranath Tagore penned this which translates as- ‘Oh see brothers fhagun has coloured the forests’ Holi  is a reminder to farmers that the earth will soon be ready for tilling. Birds collect twigs to build nests, and people celebrate the season of hope launched by Holi . The festival of joy- of singing together and dancing to express happiness as mother earth wraps herself in fresh colours. Where is all of this in today’s Holi  celebrations? Why do we and our children not celebrate Holi  in the magic form as given above? When did Holi, the festival of joy turn into this? Why are we not doing something about it?

Anthropologically the symbolic burning of the Holika—with which the festival begins—is perceived as the end of all the bad things of the past, and people look forward to renewal and good tidings. This Holi  lets begin a new chapter, let’s change the way Holi  is celebrated and then imitated by our young children. Lets  maximize joy while protecting culture, harnessing nature and upholding safety especially of women and young girls.

1.    Play with dry, organic colours.

2.    Ban the slogan, Bura Na Mano Holi  Hai.

3.    Teach children to ask others before playing with them.

4.    Teach young children not to allow others to touch them if they don’t want to play. Remember it is during Holi  that kids will get groped, molested and abused.

5.    Teach children and young girls that allow only known friends to put dry colour on your cheeks and nowhere else.

6.    Please do not support balloon throwing in your society and home. Save water.

7.    Do not buy gun shaped pichkari for your child, what value are you instilling in your child with a gun pointed at others, even if it is a water filled gun?

8.    Think of Holi  as the end of bad and beginning of new, so think of all your bad habits and write them on a piece of paper and tear it up.

9.    Sing, dance and enjoy the company of friends with jalebi. You don’t require the wastage of water to enjoy this festival. Our villages have drought, be sensitive.

10. Women and girls should object to songs like rang barse, kitna maaza aa raha hai etc that make the festival look like it is all about boys colouring the girl to make her dreams come true. Come on women, stand up.

So   this Holi  lets move from horrific Holi  celebrations to Holistic fhagun celebrations. Happy Holi . And make your new slogan- Play Holi  With Me Only If I Want To. – Bura Na Mano, Mujhe Nahi Khelna Holi !

Check out this video and pass it on-  

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kZPd7L7eT98

Much more to do for a Happy Women's Day

WOMAN’S DAY- A day dedicated to women, to remind the world about their contribution 365 days of the year. The day should not be about celebrating our superiority in comparison to men. This world will be able to nurture kids only when there is balance between the roles of men and women. Woman’s day is a reminder to us to cherish being a woman, cherish our strengths, our emotions. So what if we cry for TV soap characters, so what if we throw a tantrum at that time of the month!

In my bachelors and masters study of sociology there was a subject about society and women, it outlined the status of women in our society, how it was in the days gone by and how it has evolved from keeping women safe in the home, not allowing them to study, burning them as brides, then the revolution of helping educating them, eradicating practices like sati and dowry, empowering women etc.

Women are revered in our religion; we have over a thousand different goddesses. The study of sociology helped me understand the basic need of society in keeping women safe: women give birth to children, so when you destroy the women of any society you automatically destroy that society. 

But as I read I wondered, are we as a society going full circle in our attitudes towards women? Female feticide, rape, urban dowry. Development cannot be in a circle because then you come back to the starting point which would be dangerous. This  is exactly what will happen to the status of women in society if we are not careful. The recent spate of rapes, molestations will lead to women being kept at home so that they can be safe. This would mean going back to where we started, women not allowed to go out on their own, families not willing to educate women due to the fear for their safety and families not wanting a daughter for the fear that she will be a burden due to safety issues.

Many important changes have taken place in the legal status of women by giving women the right to divorce, guardianship of the children in the case of divorce or widowhood.  The law also recognizes the right of a daughter in her father’s estates after his death. But for most of the women in this country it is just on paper, not being practiced by the very males (brothers) and females (mothers)  that are supposed to uphold this society and the right of women.

The older anti-social practices against women such as sati, child marriage or female infanticide have been replaced by new ones such as bride burning for non-fulfillment of dowry and female feticides. We don’t even have toilets for women in villages.

The world Conference of the U.N. Decade for women held at Copenhagen in 1980 has defined that ‘The improvement of the status of women requires a change in the attitudes and roles of both men and women.  Women’s development should not only be viewed as an issue in social development but should be seen as an essential component in every dimension of development.’

It’s time that women support women and bring about the change in the status of women in the family, society and workforce. Happy women’s day to you, to your lady servant who helps you, to your mother, to your sister, to your daughter, to your lady boss and to your women employees and all the mothers that you meet every day when they come to drop their children in your care.

Happy women’s day, may our tribe increase and prosper socially, emotionally and safely.

Creativity in Education Finland and India Partner in a Seminar

 A first ever educational seminar for KG to K12 on Creativity in Education.

175 Teachers, principals, B Ed educators and NGO’s from over 26 institutions from all over Mumbai, and also far-flung locations like Noida and Kerala,  turned up today for a creativity in education course, designed by the Council for Creative Education (CCE) Finland in collaboration with Mumbai’s premium group of pre-schools and schools under the umbrella of the Podar Education Network.

What is Creativity in Education?

We are now hearing the term “CQ” or “Creative Intelligence”, more often. Creativity in Education is social: We increase our creative ability by learning from others, collaborating, sharing. Creativity in education is about tools, not light bulbs.  It’s something we do, not something that happens to us.   Above all, Creativity in education is a way of expressing our humanity, our unique power to create, connect and inspire.

This seminar on Creativity in Education was about…

Creativity in Education is about KNOWLEDGE MINING When our own ideas are insufficient; we go straight to the source and partner with people who are embedded in a culture of education.

Creativity in education is about FRAMING – changing or reframing the lens through which we view our educational practices. There is Narrative Framing, which is how we interpret the world; Engagement Framing, how we interact with each other; and What-If Framing, how we imagine the unthinkable to innovate beyond our wildest dreams.     

Creativity in education is about PLAYING By adopting a more playful mind-set we’re more willing to take risks, explore possibilities, and learn to navigate uncertainty, without the paralyzing stigma of failure.  Moreover, new research is showing that playing can be a superior alternative to a problem-solving approach to innovation.

 Pavan Podar, Trustee, Podar Education network, welcomed all the educators to the conference and emphasized, “This initiative of ours, is to help educators create a seamless transition of pedagogy involving creativity in education from KG to K12. The role of art, music, innovation and their role in fostering creativity will be shared during the one day workshop.”

Why CCE Finland?

It’s globally accepted, that Finland has one of the most admired education programs in the world, where they do not teach reading and writing till the age of 6.

As per a Pearson Survey in 2012, Finland and South Korea had topped the list of 40 developed countries with the best education systems. The rankings were calculated based on various measures, including international test scores, graduation rates between 2006 and 2010, and the prevalence of higher education seekers. Interestingly, high ranking countries tend to offer teachers higher status in society and have a "culture" of education.

 Swati Popat Vats, President Podar Education Network added, “In Finland, being a teacher is the chosen profession as teachers are paid on par with doctors. In India, sadly teaching is rarely the first choice of all the people who end up as teachers. The CCE is a collaborative organization which provides customized educational solutions designed by Finnish experts, and we hope that they will give all our educators here food for thought.”

Key elements that are impacting teaching today

1. Technology has become a part of children’s’ lives. So while we cannot escape it, we have created innovative ipad projects involving apps like ‘pencilious’ which are interactive and allow children to communicate with the ipad and learn various concepts through integration of multiple learning styles.

2. The Boards prescribe a curriculum on their websites. Instead, they should prescribe learning goals, so the curriculum developed can be ‘goal-based’ and ‘skill-based’ and not ‘lesson-based.”

3. The curriculum in pre-primary is treated as a derivative of what the child needs to learn in primary. This is incorrect and detrimental to children.

4. Prof Kulkarni, Head of Strategy for CCE Finland shared, “learning by hearing alone ensures that the child will remember up to 70% after 3 hours, 10% after 24 hrs and only 2% after 72 hours. In contrast, learning by doing, discussing and seeing ensures that the child will remember up to 99% after 3 hours, 90% after 24 hrs and only 90% after 72 hours also! Hence, this is very important learning.”

5. Violent programs like Tom and Jerry make the children “remorseless” to Jerry going through a grinder, or getting hit by a car. The child loses sensitivity thus impacting emotional development

6. Excessive push-button reactive play on ipad gets the children to think that the teacher can also be made to shut up by the press of a button. The child has an absorbent mind- their mind is without reason for the first three years- it just absorbs all the impressions of the surrounding environment.

Its important for us as a society to share learning’s across public-private platforms. Swati Popat Vats, President Podar Education Network added, “We are happy to share our curriculum free of charge with BMC schools and train their teachers for a nominal fee. Also low salary levels mean that there are no men in teaching. Males bring their own unique energy to the classroom, and the system has to consider this vital ‘loss of experience’ that the children go through.”

ABOUT PODAR EDUCATION NETWORK

Educating 70,000 students through 57 schools across India, Podar Education Network has established itself as a leader in the Indian Education Sector. Established in 1927, Podar Education Network strives to create modern citizens who are ready to make global changes. The success of Podar is largely due to its trained, qualified and committed teaching team and the extensive use of technology in teaching.