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Creativity in Education

What does creativity in education mean? It not only implies an original approach towards tackling the same old lessons on the part of the teacher but also an attempt to foster and stimulate the natural inborn creativity that every child possesses and which often dies a slow death on exposure to the stultifying routine school… [ Continue Reading → ]

Do We Need Summer School?

Come summer, most parents make a beeline for special classes, workshops, or any form of group activity to keep their children occupied. A mime class, a swimming session, a dance or a theatre workshop would keep the kids engaged at least for a few hours everyday, they say. But, aren’t these supposed to be summer… [ Continue Reading → ]

My Mother’s Daughter

Having lost my mother recently, I have been pondering over the evolution of my relationship with her – from a little girl holding her finger and following her around, slowly easing away from her grip, and finally seeing her go in my arms while she held my other hand tightly. The magnetism of that touch,… [ Continue Reading → ]

Children and their imaginative pretend play

Every now and then, little Ayesha picks up her favourite doll and begins talking to her. The doll is called Radha, she goes to school and doubles up as Ayesha’s sister and doctor. Most children like to indulge in pretend play and will often surprise you with the labrynth of imaginative elements they use to… [ Continue Reading → ]

I remember being spanked, but I don’t remember for what

I remember being spanked, but I don’t remember for what. The lessons were lost! My teacher was blissfully unaware that you cannot teach any lesson by spanking. What she did manage to teach is that it is acceptable to be a bully if you are bigger. And I always fantasised about becoming big – bigger… [ Continue Reading → ]

The Single Child

Childhood is a strange mix of fascination with as well as fear of the unknown. But with a parent’s finger firmly clutched in her tiny hands, a child’s tentative steps are transformed into a bold foray into a world of strange sights, sounds and smells. In a large family, the company of other children often… [ Continue Reading → ]

Creativity and Education

Art: The Basis of Education Written by Devi Prasad Published by National Book Trust, New Delhi Educationist and artist, Devi Prasad graduated from Rabindranath Tagore’s school at Santiniketan. A non-violent activist, he joined the War Resisters’ International, London, as its Secretary General and later Chairman. He has taught at various universities including Viswa Bharati. He… [ Continue Reading → ]

The Growing Years

“Where are you, Mamta?” Mr. Sachdev stormed into her room fuming, brandishing a bouquet of roses in his hand. “Look! A present from a roadside Romeo, delivered by the guard. Explain! At once!” Mamta shivered. She stared aghast at the flowers in her father’s hand. “Who is this boy? Are you having an affair? I… [ Continue Reading → ]

Are the Blind a Resource or a Liability?

Affected since childhood, Abraham made a habit of excelling in everything he did, be it state-level athletics in a “normal” school, college at the prestigious St Stephen’s, a productive career with advertising giants Ogilvy and Mather, or the organisation of the first ever World Cup Cricket for the Blind, in 1998. He is the recipient… [ Continue Reading → ]