Approaches to Learning

Educational Pathways for Children

Our Holistic program includes the Cambridge International syllabus, NIOS, Free Progress and our own mindful and unique Life Education curriculum. It is a conscious choice for every family and student to be at Creative. Parents are willing to immerse themselves in understanding the philosophy and pedagogy of the school while  students develop life-long learning in a wholesome environment. 

The Curriculum is suggested based on the students’ journey and teacher’s recommendations. We do engage in dialogue with parents and students in this process. As children experience their journey in school, every attempt is made to observe the child’s natural seed energy. In time, each child’s unique potential evolves through time and their path emerges beautifully as long as the adults involved (parents and teachers) hold  space for this. We provide three pathways for academics at Creative.

Free Progress:

Free Progress Education is inspired by The Mother’s and Sri Aurobindo’s works on Education. The concept of such a curriculum is not based on just any subject – but the child’s journey as they navigate their own areas of passion and interest.

As they pursue their interests – refinement of their inner being naturally happens and they get more and more in touch with their inner forces. This heart based pursuit helps one stay connected to their inner (spiritual) being so that their soul purpose and full potential come alive.

The Mother says, “Everyone, without exception, without exception, should know that he is not someone who knows and applies what he knows. Everyone is learning to be what he should be and to do what he should do.”

For this to be accomplished, Free Progress requires regular wellbeing practices, meditation discipline, self-control, physiological and psychological understanding, and infectious enthusiasm from both parents and teachers. This helps awaken in the students the part which is asleep: the will to know, the need for progress, self-control, contribution to society and discipline in themselves.

If a child intends to pursue free progress, the choice of pursuits is discussed through observations of the child’s passions and in consultation with students and parents. Students concur with teachers and parents and go through projects with clear objectives. This can range from their own favourite projects – fun or serious but motivated ones, and in collaboration with others, which will be documented in a free competence portfolio. This portfolio is under the supervision of ‘mentors’ or ‘advisers’ and it is documented over many years.

NIOS Programme:

By pursuing NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling), a student takes subjects based on their interest and what they want to pursue in their life. This is decided on a case-by-case basis. Under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), the Government of India, Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has developed the NIOS program. NIOS provides opportunities to interested learners to give exams in a self paced manner by making available the following Courses/Programmes of Study:

Cambridge International Board

If a child is studying under the Cambridge International board, 15-18 years old students appear for their IGCSE exams (10th equivalent) and the A level exams (11th, and 12th equivalent).  In the primary years, age appropriate skills are designed under the academic curriculum for each age group. As the child progresses through skill based learning, a child is geared with the readiness towards the board exams.

We are affiliated with Cambridge International, which builds a student’s aptitude, analytical skills, and comprehension extensively. Cambridge focuses on learning with greater depth, with application based work that focuses on ‘how to learn’ – towards self-initiated learning.

You can read more about it at: www.cambridgeinternational.org

Age Appropriate Learning

A child’s journey through Creative unfolds beautifully as they grow. We view education over a vast period of time. There is no hurry. Parents and teachers are encouraged to allow this beautiful unfolding. Over and over again we have experienced that children unfold at various times during various stages of development. It’s important to see this larger perspective and give this process the time it requires.

At Creative, a child progresses through different classrooms that are age-appropriately designed for the required child development at each stage. Each classroom at Creative is named after a flower where students work in mixed age groups. A student spends a minimum of two years in each classroom. The classroom becomes a sacred home for age appropriate, healthy interaction among children. Older and younger children learn from one another as well as teach each other in their own ways. Vertical age grouping fosters acknowledgement of different learning levels and styles, flexibility, willingness, capacity building, love for learning new ideas, inspiration. A multi-age classroom  reduces  age based comparison amongst the student and by the teachers.

Spiral Curriculum

The sacred curriculum is designed as a spiral curriculum to holistically address the inner being, the gift of service, creative arts and skill sets in different subjects across a span of two years. The same curriculum is deepened with the progression of age across multiple classrooms. The whole being – physical, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual –  is carefully nurtured in our holistic curriculum that is designed in a sacred learning environment.

With a spiral curriculum, children have abundant time to work on essential topics, themes or skill sets several times throughout their school years across various classrooms. As learning evolves, the wisdom a child develops over and over again, helps their unique potential emerge stronger in later years.

Interconnected Learning

Life unfolds naturally as interconnected learning. Then why do we  approach a subject singularly? At Creative, we attempt to relate learning to life through interconnected learning – various subjects can be threaded together for an integrated academic approach..

The Sacred Curriculum incorporates interconnected learning approaches in every classroom. Each year we engage in thematic projects based on  the core missions of the school – environmental education, conscious living, holistic healthcare, conscious and sustainable living, community service and learning to honour the five elements – earth, water, fire, air and space. Projects are explored in an interconnected way rather than as isolated subjects. Outdoor experiences, experiences into nature, and the spiritual, social fabric of India are all essential parts  of our curriculum. Experiential learning through such exposures are weaved along with the curriculum through interconnected learning.

Sustainability is in our Ethos

In our eco-school, we practice sustainability and expect students to be a part of the conscious school community not just literally, but also in spirit. 

The school teaches sustainability. This is demonstrated in the school spaces – in the sustainable architecture that allows flow of energy, organic gardening and farming, organic and vegetarian food preparation, rainwater harvesting, soil care and tree planting, solar energy, composting, grey water recycling. Practiced everyday, this becomes living wisdom in children with respect towards nature and our environment built into the school ethos.

Composting of all the kitchen waste

Planters built into the school building for growing organic vegetables