We've Got the Whole World in Our Hands

Today after dance practice we sat in a big circle. Within the circle, using chalk, we made a dot representing the Gandhi Ashram. Then a small circle around the dot representing Ahmedabad. Then a small awkard figure surrounding Ahmedabad suggesting Gujarat. Then India. Then Asia. Then Africa, Europe, North and South America, Australia, and Antarctica. What started out as a small dot, turned out to be a huge illustration of Planet Earth, that covered the entire room.

This was the kids' first lesson in understanding the world a little better.

"Can anyone name another country, other than India?"

“London!”

“No, that’s a city.”

“Rajasthan!”

“No, that’s a state in India.”

“Africa!.”

“No, that’s a continent.”

Okay, so we have some learning to do.

Does anyone have any ideas as to how many countries, just like India, there are in the world?

“9”?

“26!”

Okay, so we have some learning to do.

Sure, obviously the kids are not clear as to how the world works and what lies beyond Ahmedabad, Gujarat and India. But they were quick to grasp, the big chalk map we drew on the ground and started pouring out questions as we discussed the continents and the make up of the world.

“This world, umm…how did it come about?”

“How do you get from India to Australia?”

“Are there similar animals in Asia as there are in America?”

The kids loved the discussion and are excited to learn more about the world. We ended up doing our prayer and snacks on the illustration of the globe. The funny joke the kids started was passing the milk to Vicky, who was sitting on the illustration of Antartica. They were asking him if he can take our milk and turn it into ice cream. He was getting so many requests, he said, while sitting on Antartica, that maybe he should start an ice cream business here. J