Dramatic Play

Just random notes gathered together in one place:
DRESSING UP
From early on, dressing up and pretending are something children's love to do. Save whatever deity maha, jewelry, fine hand me downs or Indian clothing that come your way. Much can be altered. Collect them all into a trunk or suitable containers.

COSTUME CREATION

Post Halloween is a good time for finding sales on makeup, masks,

Games

Games can be educational in various ways such as helping children learn to think ahead and learn to persevere. Also active games are important for their physical development. As far as competition is concerned, by  teaching the children to focus on a service attitude, winning comes naturally.


 BALL GAMES

Catch or simply roll a ball back and forth with the youngest set.
Ball to the Wall- 

Learning About Music

"Chanting the holy name, dancing in ecstasy, singing, and playing musical instruments, the spiritual master is always gladdened by the sankirtana movement of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu. Because he is relishing the mellows of pure devotion within his mind, sometimes his hair stands on end, he feels quivering in his body, and tears flow from his eyes like waves. I offer my respectful obeisances unto

Other Celebrations

Our priority as devotees is to observe the holy days that please Lord Krishna. One may wish to Krishnaize other holidays or special times only if there is time for such. In other words, with the exceptions of a child's birthday, these depend on personal preferences. Here's some ways I've seen these things celebrated Krishna consciously:

NEW YEAR'S EVE
Make one or two good resolution for

Family Outings

 (photo source: http://www.gocampwithkids.com/default.htm)
Destination? Anywhere can become a special outing when one is aware, but when you do find that perfect park for kite flying; that sunny swimming hole, that hilly slope for sledding, that superb picnic spot or that cosy campsite for river rafting, keep it in mind to return to it as often as possible. Here are more notes on family fun via

Favorite Toys

Like games, toys can have educational value, stretch the imagination and help keep children engaged. Here's some favorites that provided a lot of mileage:

WOODEN BLOCKS
You'll soon discover an ongoing collection developing, for hours of creative play including very high block towers. Our favorite were the simple Jenga blocks (which also make an interesting game).

LEGOS AND BRIO
Two types of

Divisions of Srimad Bhagavatam

(from SB 2.10.1)The title of each canto ALONG WITH THE CORRESPONDING PART OF THE LORD'S TRANSCENDENTAL BODY:1. Creation (the creation of the universe) LOTUS FEET2. The Cosmic Manifestation (subcreation) LOTUS FEET3. The Status Quo (planetary systems) THIGH4. Creation of the Fourth Order (protection by the Lord) THIGH5. The Creative Impetus NAVEL6. Prescribed Duties for Mankind(the change of

Sample Gita Lesson

From the simplest terms in the youngest grades to more advanced levels of thinking, sastra teachings and topics may be presented repeatedly in a variety of ways as students grow in their understanding. Here, for example, are suggested topics for a preliminary Gita study. These may be presented as simply as possible before children can read the Gita themselves and then repeated more in depth as

Sastra Study Suggestions

All subjects can be easily taught from the many available texts and workbooks available in the homeschool market today, but unfortunately sastra is still an exception, especially for lower level teaching. For a busy parent, therefore, lessons may be as simple as reading just the translation in simple terms and discussion; also attendance in classes and discussion at a local temple as the child