All of Amma’s programs in the West offer childcare. Switzerland had a beautiful area for the children, full of crafts projects. In Holland we saw them making origami and paper flowers: tulips, of course! We were curious to see what they would offer in Germany, because this country is so well-known for its emphasis on early childhood education.

The word “kindergarten” is a well-known around the world and most of us attended a kindergarten when we were very young. Kindergarten is a German word meaning “children’s garden”. The classic kindergarten is a place where young children make the transition from home to school. It is designed to stress the development of basic skills like socialization and learning through creative play activities, as well as a sprinkling of structured sessions. The German educator Friedrich Fröbel, was the founder of the kindergarten movement that quickly spread over the world.

Indeed, the German childcare had amazing projects for the youngsters. Some children were making rattles out of dried gourds, decorating them with paint, glitter, feathers, etc.
Older youngsters were engrossed in leather working projects. There was also origami and all kinds of art materials for drawing and painting. Adult aids were engrossed in helping the children with interesting ideas and technical support.

The largest painting was being done on heavy cloth. It was a colorful and pleasing map of the world and was later used as the backdrop for the pada puja when Amma entered for Devi Bhava. The children were quiet and focused and there was a lovely atmosphere in the room which was enhanced by the Ayudh group which was rehearsing bhajans on the balcony above. The European Ayudh group is very strong and cohesive and some exceptional musicians sing on Devi Bhava. This group had a large harp, flute, violin, guitars and various drums which created a lovely, ethereal, yet lively sound.

Musing on the kindergarten concept, we discussed that we are all in spiritual kindergarten. On these tours, making the programs together, we have to develop our socialization skills. We have to learn to suppress our ego needs and share our “toys” like sleeping space, food, sinks and toilets! Amma provides us all sorts of lessons and uses “creative play” techniques to train us. In fact, Amma’s kindergarten is the most fun, the most demanding and the most rewarding of all!

Rta
Munich, 2010 Europe Yatra