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Bala Vihar 2023-24 - Online-1

Bala Vihar Program

Offers: Values imparted through stories from our great Hindu scriptures, quizzes, games, crafts, discussions, bhajans, hymns, shlokas, plays, dances, and cultural festival celebrations in ENGLISH

Additional Activities: Summer Camp, Indian Language Classes, Bhagavad Gita Chanting, Adult Study Groups, Spiritual Retreats, Service Projects, Yoga Classes

Dates: Sept - Jun (Saturday or Sunday)
Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Sat or Sun)
Ages: pre-KG & Up
Yearly Fees: $275/child; $450 for 2 in the Family; Family Max: $525 (Additional 50% discount now available for half-year registration)
Contact: Rajul Bhalala 847-302-2383; Ashok Bhatia 847-477-5157

Bala Vihar Program Details

Mission: "To help children Learn Values with fun, To delight like the moon and shine like the sun" - Swami Tejomayananda

Purpose:

  • To inculcate in our children and youth a reverence for our ancient culture, and inspire them to live up to it with correct understanding.
  • To create self-confidence so that they are able to serve and act cheerfully.
  • To generate personal discipline, dynamic leadership, and true affection in all their contacts.
  • To develop a healthy resistance against temptations in the environment in which they grow.

What is taught and How?

  • The rich cultural heritage of India, including moral values at different levels, using the medium of stories, drama, arts, crafts, bhajans, slokas, and discussion.
  • Chinmaya Mission centers have become models for teaching India's rich spiritual heritage and the fundamentals of Vedanta to the next generation. 
  • Classes are organized into different grade levels from pre-KG to Grade 12 to match the child's learning ability with the teaching material and techniques.
  • Various devotional, philosophical & ethical texts and topics, focusing in the early years on developing love for God, in the elementary years on learning & practicing valuebased living, and in the teenage years on understanding spirituality and fundamental Vedantic principles.
  • The syllabus covers topics and texts from Hinduism's Vedas, Puranas and Itihasas. It is child-friendly and taught on age-appropriate levels. A typical curriculum includes: ABC of Vedanta, Ramayana, Introduction of Shrimad Bhagvad Gita, Shrimad Bhagavatam, Mahabharata, Symbolism in Hinduism, Hanuman Chalisa, India and Festivals of India, Values from Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and Ramacharitamanasa Hindu Culture. Additional topics are developed and taught at the Chinmaya Bala Vihar camps.
  • With the universal philosophy of Unity/Oneness (Advaita Vedanta), children are made to understand that although Hinduism may appear to have many Gods, the Truth (God) is the one ultimate Reality, and thus it is one God appearing as many forms.

Our Teachers are trained volunteers who devote their time to educating the children using a Mission-wide syllabus and training modules. They are also trained on a regular basis by our Resident Swamiji(s).

 

Shishu Vihar Program

Offers: Parent & Child Classes in ENGLISH to sow the seeds of spiritual wisdom in young hearts with activities/yoga, stories & values, bhajans & prayers, arts & crafts.

Dates: Sept - Jun (Saturday or Sunday)
Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM 
Ages: Under 4 years
Fees:  $275/child; $450 for 2 in the Family; Family Max: $525
Contact: Rajul Bhalala 847-302-2383
Shishu Vihar 2023-24 - Online

Shishu Vihar Program Details

Mission: "To help children Learn Values with fun, To delight like the moon and shine like the sun" - Swami Tejomayananda

Purpose:

  • To create a social and physical environment where young children are exposed to spiritual concepts and values like devotion and concern for others. Also, to support parents to incorporate spirituality into children’s daily lives and creating a deeper contact with the child.

What is taught and How?

  • In Shishu Vihar, children are given an introduction to our religion and culture. The curriculum, designed by Swamini Supriyananda, a child psychologist, incudes sensory play, movement, music, stories, and repetition to help facilitate learning and to create a love for God.
  • With the guidance of Swami Supriyanandaji, the children systematically learn about Lord Ganesha, Devi Mata, Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva, Lord Rama and Hanumanji. Each month is devoted to learning prayers, bhajans and songs, listening to stories, performing yoga, playing games and creating with arts and crafts related to a specific deity. The children complete the year learning about Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda.

Our Teachers 

With annual teachers' training and several years of experience, our Shishu Vihar teachers are trained volunteers. Shishu Vihar teachers from all over the country stay connected through a teacher's portal that contains a wealth of updated teaching resources and materials. Please email shishuviharyamunotri@gmail.com for more information and for any questions!

 

 

Try a class

Not sure yet whether to sign-up for the school year? Feel free to come to try out a class at Yamunotri.