Brighter Minds Program
Facilitators: Ms. Tajinder Kaur and Ms. Geeta Choudhary
The Brighter Minds Program at SJS Naraina, held from May 16th to 22nd, aimed to enhance cognitive abilities, emotional intelligence, and overall well-being of students from classes 3 to 5. Nine students participated in this transformative experience. Each day of the program was marked by various engaging and motivational activities designed to foster self-acceptance, mental clarity, and creativity. The activities were consistently carried out over the five days, with gradual progress in the complexity of blindfold activities.
Daily Activities (16th to 22nd May)
Introduction Session
Each day began with an introduction to the Brighter Minds Program. The facilitators, Ms. Tajinder Kaur and Ms. Geeta Choudhary, reiterated the objectives and importance of the program, setting a positive tone for the day's activities.
Circle Time
A prayer session focused on self-acceptance, emphasizing its role as a key to success. This set a reflective and introspective mood among the students.
Motivational Presentation
On Day 1, a PowerPoint presentation titled "Key to Success" was shown, featuring famous quotes to inspire and motivate the children. Key quotes included:
"All power is within you; you can do anything and everything." - Swami Vivekananda
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination." - Albert Einstein
Brain Exercises and Dance
Over the first two days, students engaged in progressively challenging brain exercises, starting with 6-7 exercises and increasing to 15. For the remaining three days, all 15 brain exercises were revised daily. This was followed by an energizing dance session, combining physical activity with fun.
Motivational Stories and Videos
Each day, different motivational stories and videos were shown to inspire the students. In addition to stories of Sandeep Maheshwari, content focused on competency building, leadership, teamwork, perseverance, and positive thinking.
Heartfulness Relaxation and Brighter Minds Music
A session of Heartfulness relaxation was conducted to calm the students' minds.
Brighter Minds Music was played for 25 minutes, providing a soothing auditory environment.
Blindfold Activities
The blindfold activities increased in complexity as the week progressed:
Day 1: Identification of balls by color.
Day 2: Identification of cards.
Day 3: Sorting of tumblers/balls
Day 4: Reading of numbers on cards.
Day 5: Reading of words.
Students responded enthusiastically, showcasing their sensory development and increasing confidence in their abilities.
Break
A 20-minute break was given for relaxation and refreshment.
Fun and Relaxation Videos
Different fun videos were shown each day to bring laughter and joy to the session. These included:
Charlie Chaplin, Maths comedy, Mover and plane etc.
Breathing and Eye Exercises
Breathing exercises and eye ball movement exercises were conducted with teacher assistance to promote relaxation and eye health.
Creative Activities
Meditation coloring sheets were given to enhance mindfulness and creativity.
Students engaged in bookmark coloring and mosaic coloring to enhance cognitive skills and attention to detail.
Brighter Minds Music and Blindfold Activity
A 40-minute session of Brighter Minds Music was played, during which blindfold activities were repeated and reinforced daily learning and skill development.
Diary Entry and Reflection
In the last 10 minutes of each day, students made diary entries reflecting on their learnings and the activities they enjoyed the most.
Refreshments
Refreshments were served at the end of each day, concluding the activities on a positive note.
The Brighter Minds Program at SJS Naraina provided a week-long journey of growth and development for the students. Through a consistent routine of motivational content, cognitive exercises, and relaxation techniques, the facilitators created an environment conducive to holistic growth and learning. The gradual increase in the complexity of blindfold activities demonstrated the students' remarkable progress and adaptability, making the program a resounding success. The inclusion of diverse motivational and fun videos added variety and kept the students engaged and inspired throughout the week.