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Teaching Values and Skills for a Dynamic World- The Meru approach to Education

Beyond Academics: Holistic Education for Young Minds

In today’s dynamic world, education must go beyond academics to include values, emotional well-being, technology skills, and creativity. Introducing these elements from early childhood to Primary ensures children grow into confident, well-rounded individuals ready to face life’s challenges.

The Importance of Values Education

Values are the foundation for ethical decision-making and understanding right from wrong. Instilled early, they form lifelong habits that shape character. For instance, teaching empathy fosters compassion and care, while promoting responsibility and positive relationships. Values education builds a sense of belonging, helping children grow into conscientious members of society.

Emotional Intelligence and Balance

Emotional intelligence equips children to manage emotions, handle stress, and form meaningful relationships. Teaching emotional balance from a young age provides skills to navigate life’s ups and downs effectively.

  1. Understanding and Expressing Emotions
    Interactive methods like Holding mudras from Yoga and Natya shastra, storytelling, games, and role-play help younger children recognize and express emotions. Activities such as drawing happy or sad faces make learning engaging.
  2. Coping Skills
    Older children (grades 3–5) benefit from mindfulness, deep breathing, journaling, and problem-solving techniques to manage stress. Role-playing social scenarios can build communication and empathy.
  3. Modeling Emotional Regulation
    Adults, including teachers and parents, play a key role by demonstrating emotional resilience and calmness during challenges, setting a powerful example for children to follow.

Technology Skills for the Future

In today’s digital age, teaching children responsible technology use ensures they become ethical digital citizens.

  1. Building Digital Literacy
    For younger children, educational apps and games make learning fun. Older children can develop essential skills like typing, coding, and safe internet navigation.
  2. Online Safety
    Teaching online privacy, the risks of cyberbullying, and managing screen time helps children use technology wisely.
  3. Reinforcing Values with Technology
    Digital projects on kindness, teamwork, or environmental conservation blend tech skills with important life lessons, emphasizing the ethical use of technology.

Nurturing Creativity Through Arts

Visual and performing arts are vital for emotional well-being, self-expression, and social growth. They foster creativity, coordination, and teamwork, contributing to holistic development.

  1. Visual Arts

Activities like drawing, painting, and sculpting develop creativity, problem-solving skills, and emotional balance by offering a therapeutic outlet for feelings.

  1. Music

Singing, playing instruments, and rhythm activities enhance memory, focus, and emotional expression. Music promotes teamwork and discipline through group performances.

  1. Dance

Dance improves physical coordination, creativity, and confidence while serving as a healthy outlet for stress and energy.

  1. Drama

Drama fosters creativity, collaboration, and empathy by encouraging children to step into different characters. It also builds public speaking skills and self-expression.

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Physical Education in CBSE Grade 11 & Grade 12: A Scoring Subject with Lifelong Benefits

Physical Education is one of the optional subjects that students can opt for when they pursue their Grade 11 & 12 in the CBSE curriculum.

In the CBSE curriculum for Grade 12, Physical Education is assessed through a balanced combination of theory and practical examinations, making it a subject accessible to all students. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Theory (70 Marks)

  • Topics covered include anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, psychology, and yoga.
  • Theoretical knowledge helps students understand the science behind fitness, sports, and well-being.
  • The paper is structured with multiple-choice questions, short answers, and long answers, making it straightforward for students to score well.

Practical (30 Marks)

  • Practical assessments include physical fitness tests, Yoga, skill performance in selected sports, and viva voce (oral exam).
  • Students must demonstrate proficiency in activities such as athletics, team sports, or yoga.
  • Marks distribution:

Marks

Details

06

Physical Fitness Test – SAI Khelo India Test, Brockport Physical Fitness Test (BPFT)

07

Proficiency in Games and Sports – Skill of any one IOA recognized Sport/Game of Choice

07

Yogic Practices

05

Record File –

Practical 1: Fitness Tests Administration (SAI Khelo India Test)

Practical 2: How to do asanas, advantages, and contraindications for two asanas for

Each lifestyle disease
 Practical 3: Anyone one IOA-recognized sport/game of choice, labeled diagram

of field and equipment, also mention its rules, terminology, and skills

05

VIVA Voce

30

Total

What Students Can Expect When Opting for PE

  • Practical Learning: The curriculum is hands-on, making it engaging and less stressful compared to purely theoretical subjects. Students spend time on the field learning and improving their fitness and sports skills.
  • Scientific Understanding: The theory portion emphasizes how the human body functions, injury prevention, and mental health strategies, equipping students with knowledge for real-life application.
  • Interactive Assessments: The practical sessions encourage teamwork, sportsmanship, and leadership skills.

Benefits of Choosing PE in Grades 11 and 12

  1. Scoring Subject: PE is one of the highest-scoring subjects in CBSE, contributing significantly to aggregate percentages, which are crucial for college admissions.
  2. Career Opportunities:
  • A foundation in PE opens doors to careers in sports science, physiotherapy, fitness training, sports management, and more.
  • Students interested in competitive sports or fitness professions gain a head start with this subject.
  1. Well-Rounded Development:
  • Regular physical activity helps improve focus, discipline, and stress management, which positively affects performance in other subjects as well.
  1. College and Scholarships:
  • Sports achievements combined with academic performance in PE can enhance college applications, particularly for institutions that value extracurricular participation or offer sports scholarships.
  1. Foundation for a Healthy Lifestyle:
  • Beyond academics, PE instills lifelong habits of fitness, healthy eating, and mental well-being.

Conclusion

Choosing Physical Education in Grades 11 and 12 is not only academically rewarding but also equips students with the skills and habits for a healthy, balanced life. With its scoring potential, practical focus, and career advantages, PE is an excellent choice for students passionate about fitness, sports, and personal growth. At Meru International School, one of the best CBSE schools in Hyderabad, students are given the opportunity to select from a vast array of elective subjects in Grade 11 & 12 Senior Secondary Grade XI & Grade XII School Admissions 2021-22. Interested students can pursue Physical education and  explore its benefits through a well-structured curriculum that balances theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical experience.

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Mclap

Breaking the Financial Chakravyuha: Why Financial Literacy Matters for Our Kids

As a parent or educator, have you ever wondered how to equip your child with the essential life skills to navigate the complex world of finance? Let’s work together to break the financial Chakravyuha and empower our kids with the gift of financial literacy.

The Story of Abhimanyu
Just like Abhimanyu, who learned about the Chakravyuha while still in his mother’s womb, our children are constantly exposed to financial conversations at home. They hear us discussing financing, investments, and online payments, but do they truly understand the implications of these concepts?

The Dangers of Half Knowledge
The story of Abhimanyu serves as a cautionary tale. While he had the knowledge to break into the Chakravyuha, his incomplete understanding of how to exit it ultimately led to his demise. Similarly, “half knowledge” of financial concepts can be dangerous. Our children need comprehensive knowledge and understanding of financial literacy to make informed decisions (Financial IQ).

Why Introduce Financial Literacy Early?
Introducing financial literacy to kids at an early age is crucial. It empowers them with the skills and knowledge necessary to make smart financial decisions as they grow. By teaching financial literacy in schools, we can help our children break free from the “financial Chakravyuha” that can entrap them in debt, financial insecurity, and stress.

Some of the benefits of teaching financial literacy at a early stage in school curriculums are:

  • Children develop habits early, and teaching financial literacy helps them build responsible money management habits from a young age.
  • Understanding concepts like saving, budgeting, spending, and delayed gratification empowers students to make smarter financial decisions later in life.
  • Students gain confidence in handling their own finances, which benefits their overall well-being.

Financial Literacy in NEP( National Education Policy) 2020

NEP 2020 highlights the importance of financial literacy in schools. It recommends integrating financial literacy into the school curriculum to empower students with essential financial skills.

Key Recommendations of NEP featured at MERU International School:

At Meru International School,one of the best CBSE schools with campuses in Miyapur & Tellapur in Hyderabad, Financial Literacy is included one of the modules of their specially curated MCLAP (Meru Career-readiness, Leadership, and Life Skills Academic Enrichment Program) curriculum, starting from grade 3 to 12 across the CBSE and Cambridge boards.

  1. Practical Skills: Focus on developing practical skills, such as budgeting, saving, financial statements and investing.

2. Real-World Applications: Use real-world examples and case studies to illustrate financial concepts.

3. Awareness among students : Making students aware about the Indian Government Initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), National Pension System (NPS), and programs by the National Centre for Financial Education (NCFE), which aim to improve financial inclusion and literacy across the country.

Financial Literacy in action at Meru International School : Unlock Entrepreneurial Skills with M-CLAP at Meru School

Share Your Thoughts

How do you think we can promote financial literacy among our children? What further steps could be taken to ensure they’re equipped with the essential life skills to succeed financially?