At Vishwa Vidyapeeth, we recognize that the gaps between the theory and practical world today is the lack of skills developed in our young generation. Skill development is a tool to empower our children and to safeguard their future by providing them overall development in today’s era of globalization. Education and skills go hand in hand. Helping them to recognize the impact of their actions and teaching them to take up accountability at a young age is the prime motto of incepting “Dasha Prabodha” at Vishwa Vidyapeeth. This step will help children build up their confidence both in spoken skills and for group collaboration and cooperation.

Below are the ten skills that we have added on for our children as part of their regular curriculum at Vishwa Vidyapeeth. The importance of learning each of these skills is briefed below:

One of the most important lessons that we would like to impart to our children is how to lead a peaceful and meaningful life by learning to separate the material truth from the reality – this is exactly why we have chosen to teach our children Bhagavad Gita.

We advise our children to read the Vedas and explain this to them with simple life examples since learning these facts with an open mind and understanding them will help them to gain answers to questions that they never thought they could get the answers to in their lifetime.

Among the most important literature in the history of Indian religions and culture, the Upanishads played an important role in the development of spiritual ideas in ancient India, since they helped us to make a transition from the Vedic era to imbibing the new ideas and institutions as we see today. Their study will help children to enjoy the beauty of life in day-to-day affairs, which in turn helps them gain ever-lasting joy.

School organic gardens and curricula have strong potential not only to teach fundamental lessons about biology, ecology, food and nutrition but also to equip them with an important skill to grow their own food. It will teach them to respect the efforts of farmers, who are the “backbone” of our economy. It will also teach our children to respect food which is a part of our habit and culture.

The reason to incept Clay modeling into our school routine was due to the natural relaxation that children get by the simple touch and feel of clay. This quality invites children to play with clay and this helps them to strengthen their motor skills, understand their own dexterity and enjoy the activity as well.

The best part of teaching clay modeling is that it is loved by all kids and at the same time it helps us to teach them important life skills like planning, evaluation, exploring, problem-solving etc. to name a few. It also helps them to have fun, learn communication and sharing as well as improve their social life skills.

Learning woodwork can help develop fine and gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It helps the children to grow socially and emotionally through self-confidence, responsibility, appreciation for self and others, and respect for materials and safety. It also allows to imbibe skills like sharing and teamwork.

Woodworking tackles a child’s need for attention in a different way. Instead of having the toy fill the need, woodworking teaches your child to work to fulfill their need. Hence, it actually teaches them to learn to take care of their own needs.

Children who learn self-defence skills are better aware of their surroundings and are trained in how to defend themselves against attackers, both adults, and children of their age.

Self-defence also sparks various benefits to them in everyday life like teaching them important values and principles such as hard work, dedication, and perseverance, as well as the importance of maintaining personal relationships.

Public speaking can help us teach children persuasive skills which are required for them to convince other people. The development of this skill in children at an early age can not only help them to persuade people but also to have a positive influence on people around them.

It helps to improve academic performance, improve listening skills, develop ability to voice their opinions, empower them to overcome their fears and prepares them for a better future.

Art and India have always been synonymous. Although to many it remains somewhat elusive and mysterious, in reality, Art figures in almost all walks of life as well as makes one’s life fulfilling and gratifying.

Vishwa Vidyapeeth looks at teaching various Indian Art forms like Warli art, Madhubani art etc. to develop the skills of expression, individuality and creativity in children. This in turn will help us to foster in children an awareness about our cultural practices. This will become an important tool to transfer the knowledge and appreciation of the arts and culture of India to the upcoming generations. This is why teaching various Indian Art forms is mandatory for impressionable minds so that they get the right exposure to arts in their formative years.

Music is a treasured aspect of our culture and it has a large impact on human life. For centuries, this has been considered as a stress buster for all age groups and also as a therapy for good health and wellness. Music also helps us to groom children to make their body and mind work together in the right rhythm.

At school level, music helps us to ignite different areas of child development and skills for school readiness, including motor, intellectual, language, social-emotional, and overall literacy. It also supports the child to practice self-expression.

In a society, where gender is not a barrier any more, it is very important that both boys and girls learn the art of cooking as part of them becoming self-dependent. Learning cooking in our kitchen lab will help children to explore their “shata ruchis” (6 tastes) which includes sweet, sour, chilli, salt, bitter and ghee. Also the simple practices like kneading, smelling, cutting, pouring etc. will help them to learn and have fun side-by-side.

Basic lifetime skills are learnt for example Math skills such as counting, weighing, measuring, tracking time; they also gain social skills by working together and communicating in the kitchen.

Going back home, children who can cook will always show a “sense of accomplishment” apart from being self-confident about their skills. They also develop a feeling of contributing towards their own families.

Integrating theatre in education helps the school to fire the imagination in children as well as promoted their belief in themselves as well. It gives them the much-needed platform to exhibit their emotions and social skills. It also leads to encouragement of social cohesion through shared experiences. Children are encouraged to make their original scripts and work on the dramatization on their stories in groups so as to build their self-esteem and communication skills.

It has been proven with various studies that there is a positive relationship between theatre and academic achievement. The act of performing can help students to work further on their potential for success and improve their confidence. In addition to having higher standardized test scores, student who participate in drama often experience improved reading comprehension, maintain better attendance records, and stay generally more engaged in school.