Chiriya

The word Chiriya comes from a Hindi word meaning Bird, it is simply for the 5yrs and 6 yrs children whom we prepare for class one. It is to determine whether a child has reached developmental milestone, is ready for the expectation of a class one, be able to understand Literacy and numeracy, recognize patterns and colours. However, a child also needs to be ready physically, emotionally and socially and be able to exhibit behavior that will support school success. Chiriya class is from 2pm to 3pm; children tidy away their mattress, drink a glass of water and wash their face if they still feeling sleepy.

Every week a new letter or number is being introduced. Each of this letters is introduced as a symbol; representing an element from a story the children are told. For example, the letter "M" can be represented by two mountain peaks with a valley in between. As teachers we tell children that the sound "M" is the first sound one hears when saying the word "mountains". Other examples might include drawing a king out of the letter "K", a butterfly out of the letter "B" or waves out of a "W". What doesn't make developmental sense is expecting children to just memorize the abstract shape of the letter "F" or memorize phrases like "F" as in the word FOX, "B" as in the word BOY, or "C" as in the word CROCODILE. These words do not make any visual sense to the reading center in the right brain. The letter "F" doesn't look like a FOX, the letter "B" doesn't look like a BOY, and the letter "C" does not look like a CROCODILE.

It is taught in a way that engages the child’s imagination. In this way, the child develops a living relationship with each letter and the written word (Cognitive Skills). In extension children than are asked to draw the letter in the air, on their friends back, on the floor by using their fingers (Fine Motor skills). Sometimes they look for a shape of the letters, walk the letters or numbers (Gross Motor), spent a few times outside by finding nature to form the letters and body shape, meaning finding a partner to shape the letter (Social skills). 

After learning all this, the next step is to copy the teacher’s writing, then the teacher will draw and write words that start with the learned letters on the board, and the children will copy it into their main lesson books. Numbers are also taught it a way that relates or connect to the living world, for example: there is only ‘1’ Universe, 2 is for day and night, 3 is for Mother Father and little Baby, 4 is for the seasons: Summer, Autumn, Winter and Fall.

Friday is the day when children review what they have learned, complete all incomplete work and if it is a good weather, they would go outside to play skipping rope, passing and catching the balls and sometimes experiment with what sinks and float. They also do craft, there was one time when the children made a Bee Hive out of waste paper and painted it yellow, and bees out of wool flying around their Hive. 

In addition, when children feel loved unconditionally (loved for who they are and not what they do), they will work hard to overcome any challenges. As parents and teachers for our children, we need to BE PRESENT when working with children and experience the joy in each moment. Being fully present with children when doing any type of movement work or therapy will create the most profound healing environment for their mind and their entire Being will flourish.