Monday, October 6, 2014

October 5 Class

Today's class was merged with the toddler class (age 2-4).

We practiced Om Sahanavavatu, the kids can practice by repeating the verse at home.
We read the book Ganesha's Mousecapade (available via Chinmaya Mission Publications online or at JCBV bookstall).
We covered the basic characteristics of Ganesh: big ears, trunk, elephant face, big belly, rides a small mouse.

Finally we learned two fun songs:

Song 1: Great God Ganapathy
Great God Ganapathy, I bow to Thee (2) [Action: Big ears]
Elephant Face One, I bow to Thee (2) [ Action: Trunk]
Delight of Lord Shiva, I take refuge in Thee (2) [ Action: Meditation]
O Big Bellied Son of Mother Paravati (2) [Action: Big Belly , beat hands on tummy]
Infinite Om, I bow to Thee (2) [Action: Arms outstretched]
You Ride on Your Mouse, in Victory (2) [Action: Riding action + ‘V’ with fingers]

Song 2: Ganesh Rides a Mouse
(in the tune of she’ll be coming around the mountain when she comes)

O, Ganesh rides a mouse and he'll come,
O, Ganesh rides a mouse and he'll come,
He will come with his charm
Save us from all harm
O, Ganesh rides a mouse and he'll come,

He will teach us to be smart and clean our hearts
He will teach us to be smart and clean our hearts
He will come with his charm
Save us from all harm
He will teach us to be smart, teach us to clean our hearts
He will teach us to be smart and clean our hearts

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Continuous Pre-K Curriculum

We've been working on creating a quarterly curriculum as the children learn better (and more quickly) through repetition. As the year progresses, we will layer on additional activities as they master them. All of the slokams/bhajans are in the My Prayers book that is available at the bookstall.

We will not be covering all activities in this order every week but we try to go over as many as possible depending on the energy level of the children. 

In order of mastery:


  1. Om Sahanavavatu
  2. Ganesha Bhajans (Ganesha Sharanam and Ganapathi Ganapathi)
  3. Karagre Vasethe Lakshmi (morning prayer after waking up)
  4. Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva Chant (see video here)
  5. Yoga Positions (candle, tree, windmill, soldier, snake, lion, mouse)
  6. Deep Breathing (breathe in - hold for two seconds - breathe out)
  7. Ramayana Storytelling (see note below)
  8. Ganesha's Characteristics (accompanied by the Chinmaya Publications books available at bookstall)
  9. Writing Om
  10. Krishna's Characteristics (accompanied by the Chinmaya Publications books available at bookstall)
  11. Drawing and coloring simple kolams
  12. Lakshmi's Characteristics
  13. Saraswathi's Characteristics

Ramayana: We recite the story with specific phrases like "Rama with the crown, Rama with the bow, Rama with the arrow" to help the kids identify Lord Rama. Please continue to emphasize this at home with the children and point out the characteristics of other gods whenever you can.

If you have any questions about joining your child in the Pre-K class, please reach out to Sandhya at jcbalavihar@gmail.com.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Oct 20th, 2013 Jersey City Balavihar Pre-K Class Journal

We started with covering the basic slokams: Sahana Vavatu Karagre Vasethe Lakshmi Then we read from the CM Publications bool Little Yash is Happy Right Now. The kids learnt about how you can choose to be happy whether you are alone or with friends, at work or in play, etc. The book is a pop-up book and the younger students (age 2-3) especially enjoyed being able to participate by pointing out things they recognized (magician, slide, birthday cake, etc) We did our set of yoga poses (tree, mouse, candle, lion, windmill) Then we re-enacted our version of the Ramayana - complete with toy bow/arrow and gada! The kids are learning to say "Rama with the crown, Rama with the bow, Rama with the arrow" to help identify Lord Rama. If parents can point these characteristics out in pictures at home, this will help reinforce the message. Afterwards, we talked a little bit about Diwali and its link to Rama's homecoming. Next week will be "Fancy Indian Dress" day, but the week after we will be doing a sponge art activity with the kids. If any parents are interested in helping out the day of or by buying art supplies ahead of time, please reach out to Sandhya at jcbalavihar@gmail.com.