How To Introduce Hindu Culture To Kids In A Fun Way

By Author: Uma Bharati
Total Articles: 4
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In today's hustle-bustle many parents find it challenging to introduce their children to the ancient Indic wisdom. Our lifestyle is such that working parents get less time with their kids & in many cases live far away from the grandparents too. Even if they want to infuse Indic customs & values early, they struggle because of lack of time, credible sources & know-how of conveying it in an interesting way. As geographic borders are disappearing, kids are exposed to a dynamic pedagogy of learning around the world. When something seems "cool" to them, they incorporate it in their lives seamlessly. Hindu culture thrives vibrantly even today after thousands of years because of its ability to adapt & stay relevant. So its up to us to present it in a cool way, so that kids of today can appreciate & follow! Here are some tips to help you go ahead with it:

· Let me tell you a story - When we say the word 'STORY' the child's antennae goes up. Even our great Rishis taught their disciples the deepest principles of Vedanta through subtle stories. But remember not to prompt the end - "And the moral of the story ...
... is....". Tell, Don't preach! Ask them "What is your view? Would you have done something different? Do you think we can learn something from this for our life?" Every character is unique and comes with his/her own virtues & vices. Ask them questions to make them think. Story banks are available all over the internet, waiting to be tapped. Verify their sources though.

· Bring home the Indic superheroes through books - There is no end to books on Sanatana Dharma. Books teach us to empathize with the character & we end up imbibing the spirit of the character we read about. Most spiritual organizations & freelancers have interesting choices of books these days. Choose authors who are kid friendly and write in simple words. Also check their credibility before introducing to your little one! A good peer group can also help in fostering the interest. When they read a book, parent can spend 10-15 min of quality time discussing the book & its related theme before bedtime. Comics & short stories in this genre have flooded the market.

· Temple Visits - We have inherited amazing temples with unique stories, historic incidents, architectural splendor, unique customs & vibrant festivals, many of which we are not aware. As parents expose the child to the brilliance of our ancestors through the living examples, the temples of India, the child feels a WOW. As he/she grows up they become proud of what they have inherited and feel the responsibility to protect them. When you visit a temple, ask them if they noticed the sculptures, the temple tower, iconography of the Lord & the way a Mantra is chanted. Alongside traditional temple visits, you might also want to make use of technology. The videos, stunning visuals & stories of temples across the country is available easily on the internet these days.

· Play & learn - When you think about what kids enjoy doing, playing games tops the list. Their minds open up when they play. Imagine how effective it would be if a child has fun playing a game and learns something unconsciously too. Nowadays, various games themed on the Indian Gods and Goddesses are available. Play with your child, spending quality time. This could be a good conversation starter to open up discussions on Hindu culture.

· Connect with God at home - Why should one pursue rituals? Isn't the philosophy behind them enough? Both are important. Doing rituals without knowing the meaning becomes empty actions. Just knowing the philosophy and not putting it in action makes it mere information. Children watch and mimic elders at home in the early stages of their growth. Later they ask questions out of curiosity. If we never expose them to the ritual, what will inspire them to ask the questions? The touch and feel element plays a vital role in learning at the early stages and giving relevant answers to them as they grow is as important. It could be a weekly Puja or daily Shlokas, it sets a pattern & discipline in place.

YOU as a parent play the most crucial role of exposing your child to the right inputs in the right age. Later they can choose based on the inputs given early. Pushing them to choose without giving enough inputs, in the name of freedom, will only confuse the child. Remember, you are the link in this age-old yet relevant chain of Sanathana Dharma.

Happy Parenting!!!

Gurucool conceptualises and creates exciting games and activity kits for introducing positive values to children in a way they would appreciate & remember them. Our objective is to inspire young minds with ancient Indian wisdom in a fun way. We offer Indian culture games and Indian culture for children events. We are also popular for events related to Indian culture for kids. We work hard to deliver the feel of Indian culture in a dynamic & interesting way it deserves to be learnt for today’s kids.