Report by: Navadwipa Isvari dasi & Sadhu Seva Das
"The Children at the Albert Park kinder had been excited about us doing a program there since the day we met with the teachers to arrange the program. Being a kindergarten we made a few modifications to the program from the one we usually take into primary and high schools. We had traditional wear, face painting, stories from the puranas, kirtan, henna art, maha cupcakes and maha garlands.
When we announced to the children it was time to get changed into some traditional clothing, they all rushed with smiles on their faces to the tables where we had laid out colorful half size saris in blues, greens, and printed colours. We also had long bright green skirts with gold boarders and short tops to match. For the boys, we had long embroided multi-coloured kurtas with matching pants. They eagerly chose the clothing they wanted to wear and waited patiently to be helped into it. It was then time to have some face painting done and some bindi put on. Both the boys and girls were as enthusiastic as each other. Some kept frequently checking how they looked in the mirror.
With painted faces and still in their traditional wear the children sat down and listened to the Damodara and Gajendra pastimes. The children were so attentive that when prompted they could easily recall what they had heard. Music and dance was next, where the children got to have the experience of seeing and listening to kirtan. The kids got to sing and dance to the Maha mantra along with the instruments. They had fun taking turns playing the kartals. Different dance steps like ‘the swami step’, were taught and performed all together.
The children got changed and sat down to have some Maha cupcakes we had brought to share. Henna was next, which the children all eagerly waited for their turn. Their teacher announced to play till it was their turn, but they surprised the teachers by waiting and observing this unusual art form. We had also brought some Maha flower garlands to show the children and present to the teachers. The children and teachers loved wearing it and smelling the beautiful and colourful flowers that were threaded together.
All the children clapped and thanked us all for coming. We all had a great time.
Two days later we went back to the kindergarten and did the program again for a second group of excited four year olds."
