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Ekya / July 24, 2019 Posted by : administrator

Mr. Mahitosh Patankar, parent of Mihir Patankar, Grade 3, Ekya School, ITPL shares this insightful, informative blog that addresses the issue of how children do not really understand the value of money today. He points out the fact that in today’s scenario, digital money or plastic money gives our children the perception that money is an unlimited resource, thus making them forget the value of it.

Teaching children to manage money

“Frugality includes all the other virtues.” –Cicero

Managing money has always been an important skill. The more financial savvy your children are, the better spending decisions they will make throughout their lives. We have all been through an age where money was touched, felt and valued. It was mostly paper money. But now with Debit/Credit Cards, Mobile Wallets, and Internet Banking, children don’t see currency and coins. Online shopping is a secret genie with one-click checkout, to make an item appear at your house “There are some things money can’t buy. For everything else, there’s MasterCard”. You would all have been in a situation where the excuse for not having money is countered with “Take it from the ATM”. Bingo! Isn’t it?

This invisible money gives the impression of an unlimited resource. Preaching doesn’t work today and it is best to get our kids involved in money management as appropriate with respect to age. Children from the age of 3-4 years can start to understand the concept of saving and spending. The importance of money can be taught early through real-life situations. Eg. When in an ATM, we can talk about how money is earned through hard work and when in the supermarket one can ask “What is expensive? What is really needed? How do we compare?” to evoke concepts of thoughtful spending. These help sow seeds of money management in our child’s mind.

Children are curious and want to show that they have grown. Make them involved and responsible for budgeting and financial planning. For instance, they plan what things are required and make an appropriate list for a supermarket visit or decide the number of dinners/family outings within their given budget. It makes them feel valued and encourages thought process around money management. If the child is too young, he/she may not understand the concept of investing and interest rates but we can give them piggy banks/container for Saving, Spending & Sharing – where they put their allowances equally in these containers. It is a very easy way to learn the importance of saving.

They can ‘spend’ for their candy or a book or a ball and ‘save’ for a more priced possession until they can afford it. It will usually be a more expensive item than candy or chocolate. It helps them learn delayed gratification, the importance of being patient and about savings & accrual. They intuitively start counting whenever money gets added in savings and gets removed from spending to see what is left, putting a value against money.

The ‘Sharing’ jar will help understand philanthropy, donating to the needy or a cause and make them a compassionate human being. Trips to the supermarket or shopping can be used to help make your child a wise consumer or smart buyer. You can show that you can shop around and see a cheaper and expensive product and save by making the right decision comparing price, quality, and quantity. It would be a good idea to take elder kids to the bank and open an account. This will introduce the concept of interest/credit and how money grows & income can be generated. Teenagers can learn how credit is used by businesses/entrepreneurs and how to make wise investments. Essentially, creating learning opportunities at every age/step is the key to develop this important skill from a young age to adulthood.

As the saying goes – Before you spend, earn. Before you invest, investigate. Before you retire, save.

A brief profile of Mr. Mahitosh Patankar:

Mr. Mahitosh Patankar is a senior IT professional working with British Telecom, managing Product Development. He has completed his Engineering from IIT Madras and Management from IIM Bangalore. He is active in voluntary work and loves singing, traveling and camping.

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Ekya / April 03, 2024

The Power of Learning with Intent: A Guide to Purposeful Education

In a world brimming with information, the art of learning has evolved beyond the mere acquisition of facts. Learning with intent, a deliberate approach to education emphasises quality over quantity, depth over breadth, and purpose over passive absorption. It’s about cultivating a mindset that transforms knowledge into meaningful action and empowers individuals to navigate the complexities of the modern age effectively.

At its core, learning with intent involves setting clear objectives and actively engaging with the subject matter. Whether exploring a new language, delving into scientific principles, or honing a creative skill, intentionality infuses each learning endeavour with purpose and direction. As Albert Einstein aptly said, "The only source of knowledge is experience." This quote amplifies the importance of active participation and hands-on learning, highlighting that true understanding arises from deliberate engagement with the material.

Furthermore, engaging actively with the material is paramount. Embrace challenges and embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth. This proactive approach not only deepens your understanding but also cultivates critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for success in any field.

Moreover, learning with intent emphasises relevance and applicability. Seek out opportunities to apply newfound knowledge in real-world scenarios, bridging the gap between theory and practice. By contextualising learning within your personal or professional sphere, you enhance its significance and utility, making it more likely to stick.

In conclusion, learning with intent is a transformative approach that transcends traditional notions of education. By setting clear objectives, engaging actively, prioritising relevance, and fostering a growth mindset, individuals can harness the full potential of learning to achieve their goals and thrive in an ever-changing world. So, embark on your learning journey with purpose, and let each lesson propel you towards a brighter, more fulfilling future.

By Sweta Pradeep Rao

Senior English Educator

Ekya School JP Nagar

Ekya / April 02, 2024

Gadget-free Summer Break

With summer vacation around, I urge parents to explore various ways to facilitate children to make healthy choices during their vacation time.

Last week, when we asked our Early Years to visualise their characters and create a story, most of them came up with stories about ghosts and monsters attacking others.  When we had conversations about what gave them this idea, we understood that these story ideas emanated from their online games. While gaming per se develops specific skills and requires focus, it also stifles the imagination of young children. Since it is visually appealing, children tend to remember those images in their heads all the time.

I often see parents providing very young children (1 year to 3 year olds)  with gadgets as the means to keep children engaged and entertained. I see children watching phones in the waiting areas of clinics, hospitals, school lobbies and banks.

This brings us to a fundamental question “ Should children be engaged by parents all the time?” Not necessarily. What is likely to happen if children were not handed over gadgets at the waiting lounges? What would they do? Some of them may cry, some may throw a loud tantrum, and some may crib. If parents show resilience and allow children to settle down themselves, they will soon find ways to keep themselves engaged. Likewise, during summer vacation. What if this is a “no gadget” vacation and parents do not take up the responsibility to engage their children? What would children do? How can parents show resilience here and facilitate children to make healthy choices? I leave the readers with this thought for this summer vacation.

Mathangi R,

Head of School,

Ekya NICE Road.

Ekya / April 02, 2024

The Eye of the Storm

In the hushed embrace of an Indian evening, our journey began, a symphony of anticipation orchestrated by the hum of jet engines and the flutter of boarding passes. The promise of adventure beckoned from distant shores as we boarded our flight bound for the United Kingdom, our hearts aflutter with dreams of far-off lands and newfound horizons. But as we soared through the velvet sky, a foreboding shadow loomed on the horizon, a harbinger of the chaos that was soon to unfold. In the blink of an eye, the tranquil serenity of our airborne sanctuary was shattered by a deafening crack, a burst of purple lightning that danced across the heavens with an otherworldly fervour. The air crackled with electricity as the plane shuddered beneath the force of the storm, its metal frame quivering in defiance against the tempestuous onslaught. And then, in a heart-stopping moment of sheer terror, the heavens unleashed their fury upon us, casting our fragile vessel into a maelstrom of chaos and uncertainty. The sky darkened to a shade of ominous charcoal as the winds howled with a primal ferocity, tearing at the wings of our faltering craft with savage intent. The cabin was awash with panicked cries and frantic prayers as we clung to our seats with white-knuckled desperation, each passing moment stretching into eternity.

And then, as if mocking our feeble attempts at control, the plane tilted almost 180 degrees, its nose plummeting towards the earth with a sickening lurch. Time seemed to stand still as we hurtled towards the ground, our fate hanging in the balance as the world spun wildly out of control. But just when all hope seemed lost, a glimmer of salvation emerged from the chaos, a beacon of light amidst the encroaching darkness. With a mighty roar, the engines surged to life once more, their thunderous symphony drowning out the cacophony of the storm as we clawed our way back from the brink of oblivion. As the storm clouds parted and the sun cast its golden rays upon the horizon, we emerged battered but unbroken, our spirits buoyed by the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity. And though our journey had been fraught with peril and uncertainty, we emerged from the crucible of the skies stronger and more resilient than ever before. For in the crucible of adversity, we discovered the true measure of our strength, our courage, and our unwavering determination to defy the odds and chart our course through the tempestuous seas of life. As we touched down on solid ground once more, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the world around us, a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human soul.

Arjun Narasimhan Kuppuswamy

Grade 8C

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Gender Sensitization Week @ Ekya School ITPL

Gender sensitization week was observed in Ekya School ITPL from 15th to 19th July 2019. The aim of the Gender Sensitization program was to help students (Grades 1-12) understand how amazing their body is, and emphasize that this body is a gift, like all wonderful things in this world that need to be attended to and looked after well. The simplest way to protect this body was to understand personal space. This personal space is flexible - meaning some people are allowed in (our safe adults - parents, doctors, teachers) and some must stay out. There are some parts of the body that we need to be a “little more careful” with ie: mouth, chest and private parts. So how do we protect this body? By following the 3 rules - clothing rule, touching rule and talking rule. If a thief broke into our homes and stole our belongings - it’s not our fault as the thief broke the rule, if a person breaks the rules then THEY are at fault. The session concluded with reiterating that most adults are safe and if someone broke the 3 rules then one must shout “No” and go away from them. And, tell their safe adult about it. Examples and role plays were used to keep the session interactive. It was amazing how children were aware of personal space - helping them talk about what is safe and unsafe helps them realize body autonomy. Questions like “is it okay if I don’t want to hug my relatives,” “is it okay to hug my cousins,” helped the students establish that they were the boss of their body. The session concluded by asking the students to draw the outline of their hands and mention names of 5 safe adults that they would talk to. The students performed a skit which emphasized the meaning and importance of consent and what happens when consent is not given. All our children from Primary to Secondary, engaged in a discussion about the importance of consent by identifying the problem in the situation and suggested solutions themselves. They felt empowered and appreciated as they figured the solutions themselves. Children were taken through safety rules and guides and an interactive session made it a fruitful Gender Sensitization week. Students were also informed of 1098 - a contact number for the children's helpline.
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Author, Ms. Rohini Nilekani visits Ekya School JP Nagar

The Montessori children of Ekya School, JP Nagar had a reading session with well-known author and philanthropist, Ms. Rohini Nilekani. She is the founder - chairperson of Arghyam, a foundation to fund initiatives of sustainable water and sanitation across India. Ms. Rohini Nilekani is also the Co-Founder & Director of Ekstep, an education platform. She is the author of a medical thriller "Still Born" and a non-fiction book "Uncommon Ground". Her "Sringeri Srinivas" stories are much loved by the little readers. Her books have also been included in the Ekya Early years - Early Literacy reading program. Ms. Rohini read two books "Too many bananas" and "Sringeri Srinivas Learns to Laugh", both of which are from the "Sringeri Srinivas" series. She was extremely expressive while narrating the story with actions to elucidate the hilarious sections, accompanying her reading. She is truly a natural storyteller. It was clear that she loves children. Her interactions with the children as well as her successful attempts to make the children laugh put smiles on the teacher's faces too. The children had nothing short of an amazing session with a wonderful person. Her other book "Annual Haircut Day" will be used in the reading activity for the next week. On being asked how her session with the children was, she said "I had a great time. An author needs to connect with her readers. What makes me happiest is a book in a child's hands", describing her work as rewarding. She truly enjoyed her time with the excited preschoolers. The interactive session was a beautiful light-hearted reading of the adventures of Sringeri Srinivas. The session allowed the teachers to revisit the joys of their childhood while the children were able to take a break. They were able to laugh aloud with an encouraging adult. Thank you, Ms. Rohini Nilekani, for such an interactive session to inspire the younger generation to read. The session ended with a few of our students getting their copy of a book written by Ms. Rohini Nilekani, signed by the author herself. By Nidhi Bhavsar Grade 10A, Ekya School JP Nagar

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