VIBGYOR Group of Schools’ Aditya Mittal is honoured with ‘National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement’

President Shri Pranab Mukherjee presented the National Child Awards, on Monday, 14 November 2016, at Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of Children’s Day in the presence of Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, Union Minister for Women and Child Development, and other dignitaries.

Master Aditya Mittal, 10 year old student of VIBGYOR High School, Malad, was honoured with the National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement, 2016. Hon’ble President of India, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee presented the award to him at the function held in Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Aditya Mittal is a Chess Genius, who has won various accolades at National and International levels. Few events where he participated and won medals are Abu Dhabi Masters’ International Chess Tournament, World Youth Chess Championship, Asian Youth Chess Championship, ICS International Open Rating Tournament, National Chess Championship among others. Aditya has already earned over 100 medals, including Gold, Silver and Bronze through participating at numerous events in Chess. Apart from excelling in Chess, he is also a brilliant student, academically. He has won Rank 1 in the National Science Olympiad and Rank 4 in the International Maths Olympiad.

Aditya was one of 31 children across India and one of the 2 children from Maharashtra to win this achievement. He was awarded with a Silver medal, a cheque of Rs. 10000, Rs. 3000 book voucher and a certificate during the felicitation.

Speaking on the occasion, Kavita Sahay, Vice-Chairperson, VIBGYOR Group of Schools said, “Aditya is a very bright student with outstanding potential in chess. His talent has received a huge recognition today from the Hon’ble President of India, at a very young age. We are extremely proud of him and wish him great success for the future.”

VIBGYOR High has been nurturing students since last 13 years with our holistic education.
Commenting on his achievement, Aditya Mittal said, “I feel extremely honoured to receive this appreciation today. I am very thankful to my parents for motivating me and guiding me at every step. I am also thankful to my school and teachers for their immense support and encouragement provided to me.”

National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement is a government initiative to give recognition to children with exceptional abilities and who have achieved outstanding status in various fields including academics, arts, culture and sports etc. Children between the age group of 4 to 15 years showcasing immense talent, are evaluated on various parameters before being bestowed with the title.

Teaching Digital Citizenship to your Child

The time is long past where parents could shield their children from the ills of social media or keep them away from gadgets. Now gadgets are a ubiquitous aspect of a child’s life, irrespective of his or her age. It has been well-documented that colleges and recruiters go through a potential candidate’s digital footprint before making decisions. With the growing number of teens using social media, the need to communicate on how to conduct yourself online has become vital. It is important for them to know that what they put out on social media today can cause trouble to them tomorrow.

Online behavioural conduct is referred to as digital citizenship. Digital citizenship is the quality of online behaviour that impacts content. By acting responsibly and respectfully, not only can your child enjoy all the offerings of the internet, he or she can also be protected from cyber bullying.
A few basics to share with your child:

  1. Using appropriate language– Children will use the internet to communicate with not only their friends but also their teachers, relatives and the world as a whole. Thus, using appropriate language is necessary.
  2. Mutual respect– Every person has an opinion and respecting that is vital. In case of a disagreement, be polite. Avoid forcing your point on someone or unnecessary verbal debates.
  3. Plagiarism– It is easy to copy someone else’s work and pass it on as your own. The only rule for plagiarism is to not do it. Give credit where it is due.
  4. Think before you post– It is always a good idea to think about how others might feel on the post you wish to share. Don’t be hasty.

As parents, just like you teach your child values and behaviours that you wish them to emulate, the same holds true when they make their foray into the world of social media. With these basic yet simple guidelines, you can help your child to have a healthy digital presence.

How to be a good parent?

Being a parent is perhaps the toughest job. Even without the difficulty added by gadgets, social media, etc. parenting is a hard job. Good parenting is walking a fine line between being your child’s best friend and inculcating values and principles in your child. While building a rapport with your child is important (especially as they start to grow older), it is equally important to “teach” your child.

Frugality and resisting temptation is a lesson in making appropriate financial decisions learnt as a child. As a parent you want your child to have the best the world has to offer but at the same time, fulfilling all their wishes might lead to poor understanding of finances and what it means to wait.

Extra-curricular classes are great and help your child hone a skill, learn a hobby, explore an activity or meet different people. But filling every hour of every day with such activities should be strictly avoided. “Down time” or time spent doing “nothing” is a great way for your child’s brain to process the day’s events and self-introspection.

Gadgets may give you an easy way to stay in touch with your child, even keep track of their digital footprint, but are poor substitutes for hugs, kisses, praises, pats on the back, “live” conversations and general human contact. Don’t underestimate the power a hug can have over all the emoticons that you can send on your smart phones.

Many times we don’t realise this but the negativity we read and see on social media has a direct impact on our moods, even our dreams. Staying away from them may be impossible but filtering and consciously trying to not let it affect your interactions is the least you can do.

The best that any parent can do is being involved and “showing up” when your child needs you. As the saying goes, “In bringing up children, spend on them half as much money and twice as much time.”

Grooming Students for FUTURE

Kavita Sahay, Director-School Operations and Academics, VIBGYOR High Group of Schools, briefs about the pedagogies and models followed at VIBGYOR to make students future-ready
There is an augmentation in the field of knowledge globally; information is available at the click of a mouse. What students essentially need are key skills to use knowledge and the accelerating technology to face the challenges in a fiercely competitive world. Hence, we need to redefine our approach to teaching-learning and realign existing pedagogies.
We, at VIBGYOR High, view knowledge as a whole and encourage students to integrate their learning of different disciplines and develop the essential skills of the 21st century. Corresponding to this belief, our educational philosophy is based on the holistic principles of learning where the emphasis is on the overall development of the child: intellectually, socially, physically, emotionally and spiritually. The pedagogy of ‘Integrated Learning’ is the core of our educational programme. Based on the Gestalt principles of learning, it brings together diverse disciplines in order to help students establish connections between subjects and perceive knowledge as a whole. Our curriculum is designed to incorporate three dominant models of integrated learning.
Our activities are based on multiple disciplinary learning where the unit under study is analysed from the perspective of different disciplines. For instance, while studying RK Narayan’s ‘Malgudi Days’ as a part of literature, students are also taught the history of freedom struggle, investigate the background against which the book is written, cartography and caricature styles of the illustrator RK Laxman.
Another model of learning that cuts across curricular domains is interdisciplinary learning that emphasises on certain crucial abilities and vital skills that are transferable across disciplines. Learning activities include group activities that foster skills such as Collaboration and Collective Intelligence; and independent learning activities that promote Self Direction and Initiative. Inquiry –based learning and technology-led research promotes key STEM skills such as problem solving, analytical thinking and the ability to work independently.
We also provide students with transdisciplinary learning opportunities such as VIBGYOR High Model United Nations, Student Teacher Exchange Programme (STEP) and Europe Meets India (EUMIND). These activities not only help them in applying their knowledge and skills in a real life context but also ingrain in them cross-cultural sensitivity, broader worldview and social responsibility. The students connect with their counterparts from different countries and undertake collaborative study on globally significant themes.
Our schools are a mini replica of this world, where students are groomed to be productive future global citizens.

Because dads mean more

Numerous studies have indicated that fathers play an important role in a child’s development, right from birth through adulthood. These studies indicate that involved fathers help children tremendously, like better language skills and lesser behavioural problems. Father involvement also leads to emotional and intellectual growth of the children.

We hear about a mother’s role in the upbringing of the child but a father’s role is equally important. A father brings unique contributions to parenting that no one else can replicate. Fathers communicate and parent differently from mothers and children need both brands of parenting to grow up as well-adjusted adults.

How can dads be more involved?
Sometimes, it can be as simple as spending quality time with the children. Quality time, however, does not mean you promise to help with homework but when you sit on the table, you are distracted with your phone, tablet, TV, etc. Quality time means disconnecting from technology, even if it’s for an hour, and focussing solely on your child. It needn’t just be homework. Maybe you can cultivate a shared activity or hobby; or have dinner as a family. Focus on the activity rather than the time spent; that is what will determine quality.

Many times, a mere presence goes a long way to raising happy children. You don’t need to do anything but letting your child know that as their father, you care and are always around for advice, as a sounding board, or anything they might need. That much is enough to boost a child’s confidence.

A father’s role is not just about disciplining. Going for parent-teacher meetings, asking how their day in school went, helping with their homework, cheering them on sport’s days and annual days, etc. shows that you care about their progress.

The bond between a father and child is special. Like everything else, it takes work to create that bond. There are benefits to being an involved dad, so consider using some of these tips to get more involved in your child’s life. Both of you will enjoy the benefits for many years to come.

Creating reflexive and critical thinkers of tomorrow

By Ms. Kavita Sahay – Director, Schools and Academics, VIBGYOR High Group of Schools

Ms.-Kavita-Sahay
Today, meaningful, useful education is something all students need regardless of the career choices they will eventually make. Learning for the child takes place in many ways and the curriculum accords equal importance to what a child learns and the process by which he or she learns it. The curriculum recognizes that the child should be an active agent in his or her own learning and that the child’s existing knowledge and environmental experience should be the starting point for new knowledge. When children are accorded a positive school experience which includes development of their literacy, numeracy and communication skills, this in turn enhances their self-esteem and confidence and their motivation to learn is increased.

The main focus of our educational programme is on the HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT of the students, equipping them with the essential skills of the technically evolving 21st century. With this end in view, we have designed a unique curriculum that is based on the Principles of Integrated Learning and the Theory of Multiple Intelligences.

Our teaching methodology is an eclectic mix of cognitive and experiential and activity based learning strategies that cater to the three learning styles – VISUAL, AUDITORY and KINESTHETIC learners (VAK model). Our teaching modules are replete with Hands-on-learning activities, audio-visual aids, experimentations, investigations and research activities that form a part of the Enquiry-based and Project Based Learning Strategies.

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The above diagram represents the structure of the curriculum and the intervening methodologies that define the teaching pedagogy at VIBGYOR HIGH

Experiential Learning
Experiential learning is any learning that supports students in applying their knowledge and conceptual understanding to real-world problems or situations where the instructor directs and facilitates learning. This is a holistic perspective that combines experience, perception, cognition and behavior. Experiential learning teaches students the competencies they need for real-world success.

Enquiry based Learning
Enquiry-based approach to teaching and learning is its potential to increase intellectual engagement and foster deep understanding through the development of a hands-on, minds-on and ‘research-based disposition’ towards teaching and learning. Inquiry honours the complex, interconnected nature of knowledge construction, striving to provide opportunities for both teachers and students to collaboratively build, test and reflect on their learning.

Project Based Learning
The core idea of project-based learning is that real-world problems capture students’ interest and provoke serious thinking as the students acquire and apply new knowledge in a problem-solving context.

Multiple Intelligences
Multiple Intelligence forms the core of the teaching process at VIBGYOR High as we endeavour to create learning opportunities to cultivate each intelligence. A unit of study is approached from different perspectives in order to draw out the latent abilities of the student in each of the domains: Linguistic, Mathematical, Musical, Visual-Spatial, Kinesthetic, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal and Naturalist.

Mind Maps
Mind Maps are based on the congnitivist approach to learning. This teaching methodology focuses on creating cognitive structures for learning that will facilitate understanding and easy recall. The use of mind maps train students to generate, visualize, structure, and classify ideas, and aids in studying and organizing information, solving problems and making decisions in their later years.

VAK Model
This model consists of creating different sensory experiences to aid Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic learning. Through this model, the concept is internalized through activities that generate visual auditories and Kinestethic memories that form the basis for future learning.

At VIBGYOR High, we recognize the importance of making real world connections between the subject taught, and the students’ experiences, through these teaching methodologies that encourage the students to become reflexive and critical thinkers and active participants in a dynamically changing world.

Article by Ms. Kavita Sahay published in Career 360 magazine