Online Workshop was Conducted by Ms. Sona Gombar, Head of SMS Gurugram, on 10th January 2025
The session highlighted the importance of the foundational stage in a child’s life, emphasizing that it is the most crucial period for growth and development.
Key Focus Areas:
- Digital Literacy and Future Skills:
- The workshop underscored the need to prepare children for future skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
- Role of Teachers:
- A video showcasing the impact of teachers on children’s lives was shared, emphasizing that a teacher acts as a second mother and a co-learner.
- Teachers were described as the “scriptwriters” of a child’s life, guiding their intuition and responses.
- Understanding children’s absorbent minds was emphasized, as they learn rapidly through play, like sponges soaking in knowledge.
Brain Intelligence and Learning:
- Various steps of brain intelligence were discussed, including:
- Capturing attention
- Pre-processing
- Memory retention
- Application in real life
- It was noted that knowledge leads to better memory and retention.
Montessori Learning Approach:
- The five steps of learning in the Montessori method were highlighted:
- Observation and demonstration
- Participation
- Practice through hands-on activities
- Eureka moments – when a child experiences joy in learning
- Performance – demonstrating mastery
- Teachers were encouraged to design learning experiences that help children feel the “eureka moment.”
Learning Process:
- The process of learning was broken into three parts: brain, senses, and muscles, all of which must work in harmony.
- The principle “Help me do it myself” was discussed, emphasizing independence in learning.
Activities and Discussions:
- Ice-breaking Activity on Curiosity:
- Activities on curiosity included interactive sessions using Mentimeter responses.
- The importance of fostering a culture of curiosity was highlighted, where children feel empowered to explore and ask questions.
- Teachers were encouraged to model curiosity by asking thought-provoking questions.
- Encouraging Convergent and Divergent Thinking:
- Convergent Thinking:
- Focused on finding a single correct solution, such as solving mathematical problems or making decisions based on criteria.
- Teachers can encourage this by posing questions that require logical reasoning and clear outcomes.
- Divergent Thinking:
- Promoted creativity and flexibility by generating multiple possible solutions, such as brainstorming or writing creative stories.
- Teachers can foster this by asking open-ended questions allowing for various responses.
Flexible Thinking:
▪ Involved the ability to adapt one’s thinking in response to changing information or new perspectives.
▪ Teachers can encourage students to try different approaches to problems and to see the mistakes as opportunities for learning and growth.
Collaborative Problem Solving:
▪ It involved working together as a team to address complex problems by sharing ideas, asking questions and using collective knowledge.
▪Teachers can assign roles within groups to ensure everyone participates actively.
Benefits of a Curious Classroom:
SCAMPER – A tool for Creative Thinking was shared.
S – Substitute what can be replaced or substitute to improve or change the outcome.
C- Combine what can be combined to create something new or more effective.
A – Adapt how can an existing idea or solution be adapted to fit a new purpose.
M- Magnify what can be magnified or exaggerated for effect or improvement.
P – Put another use an idea or item differently than originally intended.
E- Eliminate what can be eliminated to simplify or improve a solution.
R- Rearrange elements to create a new outcome.
Growth Mindset in the classroom: This believed in the abilities and intelligence that can be developed through effort, learning and perseverance.
The teacher should encourage students to self-assess their work and identify arears for improvement.
Following Common Obstacles and how to overcome them were also discussed
- Fear of failure
- Time Constraints
- Limited Resources
- Solutions
The teachers can measure the Curiosity and engagement of the children through:
- Observation
- Formative Assessment
- Student Feedback
Importance of Cultivating Curiosity for Lifelong learning:
- Fostering curiosity in the classroom helps students develop critical thinking skills, creativity and resilience.
- Curiosity empowers students to take ownership of their learning and encourages them to be lifelong learners.
Student engagement Curriculum for Igniting Curiosity which involves:
- Discovery approach of learning
- Learning of doing
- Experiential learning
- Integrated approach
- Exploration of environment
- Multiple Intelligences
Integrating Traditional Wisdom like Storytelling, Nature- based learning, Value Education, Modern Strategies like Play-Based Learning, Experiential Learning and Integration of AI were discussed.
Parent’s and Teacher’s Role in Child’s Education and Development:
Parents are now more involved than ever in their child’s educational journey. Collaboration with schools, teachers and the community enhance the child’s learning experience. Active participation in school activities and regular communication with educators fosters a strong support system. It also leads to Academic Support, Emotional Support, Behavioural Guidance, Communication Skills, Healthy Habits and Cultural Awareness.
Parents Involvement in Educational Journey can be done through the following activities:
- Parent Academy
- Parent Teacher Meetings
- Events and Celebration
- Parent day
- Volunteering in School
- Workshops
- Making members in managing Committees
- Special Interest Group
Different Needs of children:
- Individualised Learning Needs like: Diverse learners, Differentiated Instruction, Support and Collaboration and Personalized Learning.
- Basic Needs of Children like: Emotional Need, Social Need, Safety and Security Need and Physical Need.
And at last foundation of a safe and happy school was shared where the focus to be on learning rather than education, building a positive environment and culture and promoting values of diversity, equity and inclusion
Conclusion:
The session concluded with discussions on cultivating curiosity in the classroom, sharing activities to ignite curiosity, and the importance of integrating analytical and creative thinking in the learning process. The insights provided practical strategies for enhancing teaching effectiveness and ensuring holistic development in children.
