Sri Sathya Sai Balvikas Textbook For Children Group 1 - Year3

Sri Sathya Sai Balvikas Group 1 (Years 3)

The Balvikas program is typically divided into three groups:

• Group 1: Ages 6-9 years (This group has three years within it: Year 1, Year 2, Year 3).
• Group 2: Ages 9-12 years
• Group 3: Ages 12-15 years

So, "Years 3" for Group 1 would refer to the third year of the Group 1 curriculum, which would typically be for children around 8-9 years old.

Content of Balvikas Group 1 (including Year 3)

The curriculum for Group 1 generally focuses on:

• Chanting: Omkar, various simple stotras (e.g., "Yaa Kundendu," "Shantakaram," "Manojavam"). Year 3 would likely build on previous years, introducing more complex stotras like "Gayatri," "Vande Devam Umapatim," and specific Ashtotaras (108 names).
• Prayers: Simple prayers like "Karagre Vasate Lakshmi," "Twameva Mata," "Asato Ma Sadgamaya," "Om Sahanavavatu," and prayers from different religions.
• Bhajans (Devotional Songs): Learning a variety of simple bhajans and value-based songs, with a focus on developing love for Swami and enjoying the singing.
• Stories: Stories from "Chinna Katha," "Stories for Children," "Life of Bhagawan Baba," and episodes from the Ramayana. These stories are used to impart human values.
• Health & Hygiene: Includes basic practices like Yoga.
• Japa: Simple repetition of "Om Sri Sairam."
• Silent Sitting/Meditation: Starting with silent sitting and progressing to form meditation (visualizing a divine form).
• Other Religions: Broad details of major religions like Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, and Zoroastrianism to foster unity of faiths.
• Significance of Festivals: Understanding the meaning behind various festivals (Guru Purnima, Diwali, Christmas, Dassera, Ganesh Chaturthi, Eid, Baba's Birthday, New Year).
• Miscellaneous:
  • Basic concepts of Vedas.
  • Introduction to the "5 Elements" and "Educare" (the concept that education must bring out innate human values).
  • "Duty, Devotion, Discipline" (the three D's).
  • "Ceiling on Desires" (not wasting food, water, time, energy, money).
  • Role plays, quizzes, attitude testing, and understanding national symbols.
  • Experiential learning through mind mapping and web charting.

How to Access Textbooks or Syllabus Information

While specific "textbooks" in the traditional sense might not always be readily available for direct purchase like regular school books, the content is imparted through:

• Guru Handbooks/Manuals: These are primarily for the Balvikas Gurus (teachers) and contain the syllabus, lesson plans, stories, bhajans, and activities for each year and group.
• Story Books: Collections like "Chinna Katha" and "Stories for Children" are central to the curriculum.
• Bhajan Books: Books with lyrics and sometimes notations for the bhajans taught.
• Online Resources: Many regional and national Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organizations websites provide syllabus details, teaching aids, and sometimes downloadable materials for Gurus and parents.

To find information or resources for Sri Sathya Sai Balvikas Group 1 - Years 3:

1. Sri Sathya Sai Publications: The official publications division often sells books related to the Balvikas curriculum. You can check their website (e.g., srisathyasaipublications.com) for availability of specific Balvikas materials. They might have combined books for Group 1 and 2, or specific year-wise books.
2. Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organizations Websites: Look for the official website of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organizations in India (e.g., ssssindia.org or specific state chapters like sssbalvikas.in, ssssots.org, ssssoap.org). These sites often have a "Balvikas" or "Education Wing" section where you can find syllabus details and sometimes downloadable resources for Gurus.
3. Local Sai Centers/Ashrams: If you are part of a local Sri Sathya Sai Center, the Balvikas coordinators or Gurus there would be the best resource for information on the specific textbooks or materials used in your region, and where to obtain them. They often procure materials directly from the central publications division.

The emphasis in Balvikas is not just on theoretical knowledge but on the practical application of human values in daily life. The "textbooks" are more guiding documents for the Gurus to facilitate this learning.