Sensory experiences are an essential part of child development, but many sensory activities only utilise the hands. A sensory walk is a great way to explore the sense of touch, especially for toddlers. Our feet are just as sensitive as our hands, and this activity allowed children the experience of learning, exploring, and feeling with their feet.

As summers are approaching, our tiny tots of Playgroup (Early Child Care) made small bird feeders using old plastic bottles. To make them look attractive, they painted the bird feeders in orange colour. They will keep the feeders in the balconies of their homes and fill in water for the thirsty birds. The little munchkins promised their teachers to take care of thirsty birds this summer.

We nurture in children an ongoing love and curiosity about the things around them so that they remain conscious about the world. Hence ‘Universe’ day, was celebrated at Bodakdev School.

Our little ones gleamed with joy on seeing the nine planets hanging from the ceilings. Children jumped in excitement as they counted stars from the walls of their classrooms. A huge cut-out of an astronaut was placed in a corner. Our enthusiastic teachers shared new facts on the Universe and the Solar System with their little darlings. This activity would inspire them to learn more about the universe and would satiate their curiosity on the Universe.

Our toddlers visited the supermarket. Their teachers and friends accompanied them. They were taken to the different counters, where they saw a variety of products displayed on the shelves which had some great offers and deals on them. The teachers explained to them the process of choosing products, buying and how they could pay for the items purchased by them using cash or card. Our toddlers learnt from this trip that they should pick healthy food items and should help their mothers in shopping.

Nursery section performed a skit on fire safety. This skit helped the children learn about fire, what to do in case of a fire, whom to call in case of a fire. The message of the skit was clear not to play with fire and call the fire-fighters who will be there quickly to help stop the fire using water and other types of extinguishers.

Pictures of the grand event reflect the efforts put in by the children, teachers and parents of the Bodakdev Preschool. Students of preprimary came dressed in attires of freedom fighters and performed on patriotic songs. Nursery students made small flags to pin to their shirts and also created collages of the Indian flag. They also had hand prints in tricolour. They even enacted the roles of national leaders. The soft boards were decorated with national symbols. The school was decorated with tri-coloured balloons, flags, ribbons and patriotic slogans.

The birth of Lord Krishna was celebrated with great pomp and festivity. All the children came in traditional dresses. Boys dressed as Krishna and Girls dressed as Radha gave a classic touch to the entire celebration. Beautiful decorations were put to make this event more cheerful and colourful. The event commenced with a session on storytelling on the life of Lord Krishna which was followed by a traditional aarti. A ‘MatkiPhod’ event was organised to mark the mischievous nature of ‘Bal Gopal’. The tiny tots along with their teachers and mothers danced on the tunes of Garba. The programme concluded with the Prasad distribution.

A plantation activity was held in the school. Children were provided with pots, soil, water and a sapling. Our little ones painted the pots in red colour in their painting sessions.

Then with the help of their class teacher, they filled their pots with mud and planted the saplings. They watered it for a few days in the school, and now they took it home as they pledged to take care of these saplings and watch them grow.

Grandparents are someone with silver in their hair and gold in their heart.’ Grandparents hold a special place in everyone’s heart. Many of us still look for their advice when in trouble. Their bed-time stories are an integral part of a child’s growing years. In honour of grandparents, Bodakdev School celebrated Grandparents Day. On the occasion children, in their unique way, thanked grandparents for their love and support.

The guests of honour- Grandparents, were welcomed with the traditional way by applying tilak on their forehead. The special day was filled with dance and song performances by the kids. Children recited rhymes and danced on songs. After some fun-filled performances, grandparents and children played puzzles and games with their tiny tots. In the end, paper flowers made by the children were gifted to grandparents to take with themselves as memoirs.

Field trips offer many incredible learning opportunities. Kids develop valuable skills and priceless knowledge.

Our children went for a field trip to ‘Rasala Park’, near Ellisbridge, Gymkhana. It was a cute sight but more than that it was a great revelation for our tiny tots to see their favourite animals and birds live-up, close and at a reachable distance. This visit made them believe that their toy animals, the animals which they read in books and see on television exist.

It also helped them to differentiate between animated caricatures and the real form of the animals they love. The tiny tots spent time observing the food habits of the birds, animals and played in the play area at ‘Rasala Park’.