Hello Readers!

This morning I received the final editing round digital copy to approve. Could not believe that it was my second book and first non fiction book I present to the world. I do not claim to be a writer, but surely I feel highest level of energy while I write a book. I feel myself and close to my higher conscious. Any writer would feel this way, isn’t it? But second book!!! Ah! could I be more happy?

I thought to write this blog for the readers to get an idea of what is coming to them soon this month and what is it about. I want you to connect with me more as a thoughtful writer over a good writing skills writer. I want to contribute to the world with help of the my brave approach towards life. I honor and reinvented my purpose after I was blessed to discover who am I? The moment the answer settled to ‘I am nothing but a soul’, I became clear on my path. I knew anything I do in materialistic world is not significant in terms of achievements however the experiences that would make me realise the truth of life and reality of soul. The Soul is meant to reach its Super Soul supreme that is God. I discovered this when I was in school. I still feel that was too late however for my some people it was too early, they said I was too young to get into spiritual space when I was in school. I am blessed with god’s grace to have found true spiritual Guru in my life.

One day I was beginning to sketch some thoughts to write, I was surprised with a statement (that is the title of my book) summarised my natural ability and I told myself, if this isn’t my second book then what is? The sketch was about things that matter to me and philosophy that I live and that narrowed down to ‘Foundation in early years education’. I have been 12 years old to education industry with diverse and versatile professional roles. I have been a teacher, Research Associate, Curriculum Developer and Designer, Education counsellor, Teacher’s trainer, Innovator and Ambassador to global organisation advocating innovations in education. I helped people open their own schools in Gujarat with my unique Education industry vision. With all of such experiences I could have easily walked a conventional path to growth professionally but the biggest pain was to see the comprised approach by people who claim to be educationist or leaders.

What exactly is that?

8 Reasons the High Quality Education still is a dream EGO – The Education Industry folks is run by people. People who are unaware of who they are? what is their purpose? Mostly we say who we are around what is acceptable and trending, what will look good and what will make us look superior. Be it parents, teachers or school owners- all of them are people and each one is struggling to exist with their ego. Ego is nothing but one tool that only damages your self and disconnects you from reality. When you are driving by your ego, reality looks unreal and you believe all the negative anticipations and react as per that. And that would only damage you more. Why I have mentioned Ego as the top reason is because we are not away from it. And this is one of the biggest hindrance in molding the right behaviour for our children; When people who work for children, with them or for them, are ego-centric, get offended for being asked a questions, then the children who are around are part of that toxic vibe and that enters their world. Think about it. How does ego look like in schools? Well, a silly as this could be I have witnessed a place where parent left school was because, the principal corrected him for a class name of his child he misunderstood. The child was in grade 2 section A and principal said, ‘Your child is in section B’. And the next thing I know was parent changed his child’s school. Isn’t it crazy? There was no consideration of the emotional well-being of the children where they might have good friends in class, they must be trusting finally teacher of their class, and expressing their fear with any concept of subject. But nothing, they are just children what do they know? This is what gives me highest pain, of not considering children as an individual. And on the other side, when school owner is given feedback on quality evaluation of as small stuff as having more items to play in school, in the ego of ‘I am right’, no new toys are bought and who is in loss, children. In my book, I have made it detailed to understand its impact on children.Education philosophy not grounded It is. huge responsibility to run a school, teach children and work for them in foundational years. I have known people who would only brush their trophies to claim their credibility to hold a say in education world. I am right because, I am a phd in something, I have got this degree and that. I have a question to them, ‘are you saying the degree you got 20 years ago is a relevant credential to claim your understanding of what children of current generation need? Are you saying your education is complete and you have nothing to learn more? I have high respect for people who keep learning no matter what age they are and what degree they hold. I respect people who understand that each generation has different needs and it is vital to learn from people who are half their age to be relevant and make sence to coming generation. So being ground is to live the philosophy yourself, you cannot promote progressive approach if you are conventional with your own children or your people. The schools that claim they are child centric and progressive, I have know the staff and owners not sure about it and they themselves somewhere have same fear as parents, so how are they the right people to hold the stage to speak and educate people on progressive education? think about it. In my book I have given instances to discover the gap and some strategies to reveal the impact on children. How do i know it? well I was a child once in my life Business over real contributionThe idea and thoughts look fascinating to open a school but when it comes to implementing the learning approach if at all it is progressive, many of them give up in front of parental demands. They fear if parents do not understand the philosophy they will leave the school so it is better to do what they say? Really? Parents need people to educate them with what is good for their children as they are joining school to have this collaboration. People who are committed for high quality education would argue but never leave the school because that argument is for them to convince themselves and understand what is best for children. It is funny, what I have heard all these years is the highest demand of ‘writing’ right from foundational years. School owners would bring them books and demand for writing work just because parents demanded and they do not have any idea or context of why writing or tracing or hand-writing is not the priority in foundational years. Before children write their are certain fine motor and pre writing activities that are prime to be developed. And writing is to express and communicate meaning not to get admission-in formal school. Well I have got some insights and stories for this section in my book. Cant wait for it to reach you.People pleasing Just so that people don’t dislike us or go away, many times we please them with fine words and actions. But we are not far sighted to see that it is only going to hold on for a while, it is not a long term repair. We like to be happy with a lot of numbers at start because we are weak enough to have patience to work for long term, Closed mind towards receiving feedbackFeedback is a friend to us and only way that can push us to being better. But above four points drive us and make us disempowered when someone tells us about what wrong we did. We do not want to listen anything against and that attitude stops people who work in education space to grow. It is not easy to run a school. If you are thinking to first spend time modeling the skills that theoretical you plan to nurture in children. Remember you can give what you have. Wise is the one who would take initiative to ask fo suggestions and guidance from the one who has mastered the philosophy.I Know It AllI know it all, don’t tell me what to do and so many more responses we give to the people who are into research or are living the approach in life. Imagine if we all know it all then why the research, why organizations and what is the value of the work people do to.support school staff who need to focus on implementation. You look small when you do that because people do get the one who fakes it and the one who made it. Think about it.Ignorance of gaps and mistakesCovering up and ignorance of unknown is similar to not seeing the opportunity to grow. Drop the idea of running a school if you are sure to own your own gaps and work on it. Afterall children will get what you give. I am sure this attitude won’t make our future pleasing.Not Discovering Real purpose Sometimes we do things to be called good. Or just because it would look good to others to say the kind of work you do. Sometimes we get influenced with others that we forget our natural ability and force ourselves to work towards the stuff that are of interest but based on outside influence. Opening a school is one such thing. In my book I have shared my life as a child and it’s impact I am sure people who know me as a passionate education enthusiast would get great value from it.

Thanks for reading. Share it if you feel it. Follow my thoughts on instagram @thesoulsmind and personal blog @spiritedshruti for daily inspiration.

Shruti Nagar Dave