Reflection on field visit

Shantiniketan global pre-school is only school in Bangalore which works with multiple
intelligences. As soon as I entered the school premises, the first thing that caught my attention
were the games. These were simple mathematical and logical games which were not only fun
but gave a positive and fun vibe to the space. However, the games were not so meaningful and
seemed complicated for a child.
Whenever, I have been to a preschool, I have experienced a very chaotic environment, where I
could hear kids cry, throwing things around and messed up classrooms.
But this school had a very different vibe. The tour of the school started with a very brief
introduction on what principles the school functions. The theory of Multiple Intelligences is
incorporated in each and every space, teaching and learning. The school focuses on all round
development of a child. The dominant Intelligence is given more emphasis to help them easily
learn. Along with this, they are also trained to perform their daily life activities and functions like,
tying their shoelaces, eating with their own hands, locking and unlocking various locks, in case
of any accidents, etc.
The school has designed multiple spaces in their premises for an overall development of their
students. The school has a play zone, gym,dance and yoga space, art room, kitchen, garden,
library, nap area. Each and every space and floor is designed in a different manner so it's not
monotonous and boring for a child. However, the space seemed to be very restricted. The
school has a very small building and suprisingly there is no garden, no area where they can run
around freely.
It seemed like the books in the library were just for display. Most of them contained a lot of text.
I found only 2 puzzle books, which were interactive. They have not given much thought to which
books to keep. Most of them were western story books. Panchatantra, which is the best story
book for learning moral values was missing on the shelf. The seemed to strictly follow the
western system of education.
We attended a class were children were taught numbers. The teaching was done in a very old
school manner, where the first learnt the lines, slants and curves and then started writing
numbers. Now most of them were not even used to holding the pencil.That's how I learnt it in my
preschool as well. While I could see the theory of multiple Intelligence well implemented in
various spaces, I found it missing in the classroom teaching. I noticed that some of them could
understand what was being taught, but could not write it down as they were still not used to the
grip of the pencil. While there were also some who were least interested in writing. For this,
maybe they could have started with different mediums, why stick to a notebook and a pencil?
They could have started with some soft mediums like colourful crayons, sand, modelling clay
which could have made learning more fun. The classroom seemed to be very structured and
boring. The kids were forced to sit in one place, expected to not even move around. I remember
going through a book where it was mentioned that for preschool kids, sitting on chairs is the
most damaging position. When they sit, taking support of something, their spines don't get
strengthened. Maybe they could have just put some mats all around the classroom so they can
sit in their comfortable position.
Another class which we attended was about different types of animals, herbivores, nocturnal,
omnivores, carnivores. This is something that I learnt in my primary school. I could not really
understand the need of teaching such complex words to 4 year olds. There were many who
could not even identify animals looking at the pictures, forget carnivores and omnivores.
They could have started with simple toys and animations, names of animals, where they live,
what they do, how are they important for our ecosystem. It's important for a child to know and
understand what they are learning and why they are learning it. They should be able to relate to
it and understand the use of it in their daily lives. This is the biggest thing that I found missing in
all their classrooms.

Most of the equipments, toys in the spaces, seemed to be there just for display. The toys were
not sufficient for everyone to play with. There was a space, where they have put up a shopping
mall, a hospital and an ATM. All three of them were of the same size and same from the inside.
I really do not understand the need to teach dance and yoga to preschool kids. Their bodies
have not even fully developed, instead they should just let them play around freely.
It's just an ordinary school which has come up with a marketing strategy to attract clients.
Instead of multiple Intelligences, they should first try to understand a child's behavior and
psychology. Rethink about their architecture and have more open spaces. Also, I feel they need
to change their entire syllabus. Learning numbers and alphabets is something a child would be
least interested in learning. It's ironical that they are completely following the European system
of education but do they know that all kids in Europe start their schooling only when they are
six?
Till the age of six, they are given complete freedom to play, grow and develop naturally.

Personal Position in the project

I started going to school at the age of 3 and since then I have always disliked school. I feel, all
schools need a more structured, practical and a well thought syllabus which is enjoyable and
not forceful for a child. When I started learning numbers, I did not have a problem in learning
and recalling them and learnt it all very easily, but I still did not know what numbers are. What is
4, how much is 4, and where is it used. I only knew how to write and speak it. That's when my
parents helped me learn numbers using my fingers.
A student needs to understand what they are learning and why they are learning it. The need to
relate to it in their daily life and practically apply the teachings.
I have always felt that schools have been very forceful. The method of teaching, the syllabus, it
all needs a change. I have gained more knowledge from reading books and stories which taught
me moral values, printed positive thinking and helped me develop a positive, creative thought
pattern.
Schools create a divide. Smart and dumb, active and lazy, toppers and underachievers. We fail
to appreciate different values and different types of people in the society.
I feel it's time that schools make a major change in their syllabus, their methods and techniques
of teaching and understand that every child cannot learn in the same way.

10 needs/ problems

1. Does a preschool really need to exist?

2. Need for more practical learning. (sticking to pencils, notebooks is not really required)
3. Emotional connection between teacher and students.
4. More open areas, playgrounds in the school.
5. The need to understand a child's behavior and psychology instead of giving entire
emphasis to multiple Intelligences.
6. Change the old style of teaching
7. Change in syllabus.
8. Teaching related to daily life, daily routine.
9. How to deal with violent, strict parents?
10. The need for parents to contribute in the development of their kids.

Opportunities and goals

1. Coming up with new methods of teaching in the classroom- would help in learning more
effectively, promote practical learning and the child would understand the need to learn
and relate to it more.
2. Make books and games more interactive.
3. Extend the application of multiple intelligences in the classroom and replace it with old
style of teaching.
4. Field experiences-would help children gain more practical knowledge.
5. How can schools contribute to sound physical and mental health? - can school
contribute to a holistic development so that each and every child who goes to a school is
physically and mentally fit.
6. What other subjects can be a part of school syllabus? A preschool does not really need
to teach numbers and alphabets which a child is least interested in learning.
7. A separate space for audio and kinesthetic learners.
8. Helping parents contribute for the overall development of their kids.
9. Helping teachers get more trained in dealing with different types of children.
10. How can a child communicate their fears and problems with their parents and teachers.

Possible outcomes of the above-

1. Parents and teachers would be able to form a better relationship with their kids and vice
versa.
2. The divide which schools create would no longer exist.
3. Help in building a better society.
4. Learning would no longer be forceful and learning new methods would help a child learn
different subjects easily.
5. Students would be more skilled and open.
6. Students would learn acceptance and become better communicators.
7. A child would achieve all round development.
8. They would be more independent and confident.
9. Help them lead a balanced and stress free life.
10. Children would be both physically and mentally sound.