Exploring A N A N D A

Core Purpose:-

To enable each child realize his/her potential and make her dreams come true.

At Ananda:-

•We create an environment where the children are compelled to think, ask questions, inquire, ask more questions and draw their own conclusions.

•We firmly hold that, NEVER discouraging a question is what makes the difference between a good teacher and a great facilitator.

ANANDA's Educational Philosophy:-

Concept

The school concept has three dimensions. These three dimensions are based on the main factors that impact the student.With the student at the center, the three dimensions are

1. Mentors
2. Curriculum
3. Parents

These dimensions are inter-dependent and the foundation concept aims to strengthen the linkages between them.

Mentor:-

The school

•Develops and motivates educational professionals who have Love for children, good knowledge of child psychology, ability to inspire children, motivated and passionately committed, knowledgeable, good communication skills and IT savvy.

•Strives to develop in the mentor a deep involvement and a sense of pride in and belonging to the school.

•Develops an academic and professional growth path for the mentors.

•Promotes a strong training and development culture for our mentors.

•Encourages & promote faculty enrichment programs on subjects related to child psychology, counseling, evaluation, Art of Healthy & Productive Living, Development of Emotional and Spiritual Quotient, Development of Multiple Intelligences and other such topics which will make the Teaching-Learning process a continuum leading to self actualization.

Parent:-

The school believes in strong involvement of and contribution by parents and encourages this by

•Informal contact between parents and mentors. Mentors are encouraged to visit the homes of their students

•Parent’s days – parents are invited for visits to the school and celebrations at regular intervals

•Parents Workshop – these are conducted on a fortnightly basis so that parents can involve themselves in educational growth of the child.

•Counseling of parents

a.At the time of admission and promotion, parents are counseled with regard to the next grade to set expectations and invite contribution
b.Systematic mentor input to parents on significant behavioral changes

•Parent contribution are invited in
a.Career counseling - By asking them to relate their personal career experiences
b.Talks on areas of expertise - for example, doctors shall be invited to give talks on health.

Curriculum

The students go through the Ananda (The Joy of Learning) – At this stage the natural learning desire of a child is encouraged by thematic, experimental and play way methods of education. At Ananda, emphasis is on foundation building. Children are exposed to many sports and various forms of Arts. The learning is activity based and art, music, craft, dance are used to impart meaningful and joyful learning.


Field Trips:
The mentors enhance the classroom learning with field trips in the community. This fosters learning for the child. Its not extra-curricular activity but part of our curriculum design to include such trips for children.

Festivals:
Festivals and special school events are an integral part of education at Ananda. Specific information on upcoming festivals is communicated through notes by mentors and by emails. Seasonal festivals serve to connect humanity with the rhythms of nature and the cosmos. Many festivals which originated in ancient cultures have been adapted over time. There is joy in anticipation, the preparation, the celebration itself and the memories created.

Home Visits
Having the mentors come to visit at home is a wonderful way to bring together the child’s two worlds of home and school. These visits help the mentors acquainted with the child’s world at home and with other family members. It can be a valuable experience for child, mentor and parent. Home visits are usually done on weekends, after fixing the schedule with parents.