Likhita Japa Game

The goal of this challenge is to document on paper how many times our mind shifts during likhita japa − the less number of color shifts, the better!! We like to use this to help the children learn to focus completely on their likhita japa — which can be a difficult task for 5/6 year olds :-) So, to make it fun, we ask them to do the following:

1. Place at least 2 different colored writing pens in front of them, along with their journal.

2. When the aunty says "OM" they are supposed to pick up one of the pens and begin their likhita japa, writing ऊँ (and thinking only of ऊँ!)

3. If they find themselves thinking of anything else (even for a split second) they are supposed to: a) put the pen down and pick up another color; b) take a deep breath and; c) start writing ऊँ again.

Repeat step 3 until the pre-determined time is up. We usually do 5 minutes.

We emphasize to the children that they must pay very close attention to their thoughts, and only they will know when it is time to change pen colors. When we gather for our "circle time review" we make it a point to praise the children for being honest with themselves. We then will talk about what distracted our thoughts, and how we can try and do better during our next session.

Note: Before we start this game, an aunty will demonstrate how we play  − speaking her thoughts aloud, changing pens when she shifts from "OM," taking a deep breath, and then starting all over again.  We never show any disappointment about color shifts. Instead we demonstrate how pleased we are with our efforts and how we're going to strive to do better next time.

Krishna Says (aka Simon Says)

This game is to be played like "Simon Says." We use hand puppets or stuffed toys while doing this activity. If Lord Krishna is going to say the action, then the puppet does the movement. If Lord Krishna doesn't say the action, then he remains absolutely still.

कृष्ण: वदति

KrishNaH vadati

Krishna says

उपविशतु

upavishatu

sit down

उत्तिष्ठतु

uttishThatu

stand up

उत्पततु

utpatatu

jump

हसतु

hasatu

laugh

रोदितु

roditu

cry

भ्रमतु

bhramatu

spin

नृत्यतु

nrtyatu

dance

तरतु

taratu

swim

धावतु

dhaavatu

run

गर्जतु

garjatu

roar (like a lion)

example sentences:

उपविशतु कृष्ण: वदति

upavishatu KrishNaH vadati ।

Krishna says sit down.

उपविशतु कृष्ण: वदति न ।

upavishatu KrishNaH vadati na ।

Krishna does not say sit down.

Pebble Dropping Game

This game was shared at Vibhooti Chinmaya Mission Camp -- and it is absolutely brilliant!!

All the children sit in a circle with their eyes closed. The circle leader then takes a handful of pebbles (or marbles) and drops them into a bowl. First very rhymically, slowly, -- then speeds up a little ... and slows down again. It is important to vary the rhythm of dropping the marbles so that the children really must focus on their counting. When all the items have been dropped, go around the circle and ask each child how many marbles are in the pot.

Sharing Game

We used this to help the children understand the role of sharing for our lesson "B is for Brotherhood." This year was focused on CORD (Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development) and how each child (regardless of age) can truly make a difference in the world!

Materials Needed:
One envelope for each child
One small chocolate for each child

Directions:
Divide the envelopes equally into groups of three.
• For the first group of envelopes: put in one chocolate and then seal.
• For the second group of envelopes: put two chocolates and then seal.
• For the third group of envelopes: leave them empty and seal.

It is a good idea to mark the envelopes for easy identification. We put stickers on each group. For example: the envelopes with one chocolate had a smiley face sticker, the envelope with the two chocolates had a fish sticker, and so on.

When you are ready to do the activity divide the children into three equal groups. Hand out one envelope category to each group of children. Once everyone has an envelope, ask them to open it and place the contents down on the table. Don't eat the chocolates yet!  Here's where it gets interesting ... :-)

Discuss how everyone feels about the contents of their envelopes. Write down all the responses on the chalkboard. Some children may be very excited that they got 2 chocolates, while others may feel cheated that they did not get any. Those with one chocolate may feel that it is unfair that some got 2 while they only got one .... etc.

After exploring all the different feelings and thoughts, tell the children that our goal was for each child to have one chocolate. What should we do? How will we be able to change this situation — the aunties don't have any more chocolates to give out ... this is all we have.

Guide the children with 2 chocolates into sharing with those who have none. Once everyone has one chocolate, ask them how they feel now. How do those who shared feel? How do those who received feel? And how do those who did nothing feel?

(Note: if the class cannot be divided equally into three groups, make sure that the remaining envelopes which get distributed contain 1 chocolate.)