| Hinduism is a religion that teaches us the way of life. | | | | life. In the Indian religions, a mantra is a sound, |
| In this world the importance of personal identity is at | | | | syllable, word or group of words that are considered |
| the top but so should be our spiritual and cultural | | | | capable of "creating transformation" |
| identity. To introduce ourselves we generally give | | | | - Indian Historical Stories and Legends - Children can |
| our name & profession and other worldly details | | | | listen to stories related to family values and morals. |
| but do we really know our roots and where we | | | | Through these stories children learn about respecting |
| belong to! Do our children know about our tradition, | | | | oneself and respecting others. These stories also |
| our culture, our religion, and our roots? | | | | help them to understand the vital role of parents and |
| Learning about one’s own religion and culture in | | | | teachers in their lives. |
| childhood is important because this is the foundation | | | | - Children activities related to our culture -Different |
| age. Our childhood can influence most of our | | | | activities such as making lamps (Diya), creating |
| decisions and choices in life. Thus it is very important | | | | Rangoli designs, and many more can be practices at |
| that we give very best to our children. If we can | | | | home. |
| practice cultural values ourselves as parents, our | | | | - Devotional Songs – At ‘GuruSkul’ we |
| children are sure to follow them. Knowledge and | | | | believe that music is a very powerful educational tool. |
| practice of these values during their formative years | | | | It can heal, relax and sooth oneself. Sometimes |
| will help them make the right choices and face | | | | music can be more effective than just preaching and |
| challenges in their adulthood. | | | | children relate better to music. At ‘GuruSkul’ |
| Nowadays it is hard to teach our children our own | | | | children sing devotional songs with different |
| culture and traditions. Our ever busy lifestyles make it | | | | instruments. Through devotional songs important |
| a challenge to pass on our heritage to them, | | | | concepts of Hinduism can be understood. By singing |
| especially without the benifit of extended family. | | | | devotional songs you get awakened from within. |
| Concern of this motivated the creation of GuruSkul. | | | | - Traditional Hindu festivals - We believe that |
| Hinduism can be taught to children in several ways | | | | celebrating our festivals teach us a lot about our |
| such as the following: | | | | culture and traditions. We should learn the |
| - Pranayama (Breathing Excercises) - Breathing is life. | | | | significance of each festival. We believe that |
| It is one of our most vital functions. One of the Five | | | | children should learn about our festivals from an early |
| Principles of Yoga is Pranayama or Breathing Exercise | | | | age. |
| which promotes proper breathing. In a Yogic point of | | | | It is important that children know and learn some, if |
| view, proper breathing is to bring more oxygen to | | | | not all of the above, to help them understand why |
| the blood and to the brain, and to control Prana or | | | | we do certain things we do, or why we celebrate |
| the vital life energy. | | | | certain festivals in a traditional manner. Sometimes |
| - Mantras - Just like our traditions and festivals, | | | | we do not have the explanation but we just follow |
| 'Mantras' play a very important part in our day to day | | | | the tradition. |