NIKITA AGRAWAL: MOTHER TO EDUCATOR : TURNING PURPOSE INTO IMPACT
“ I didn’t enter education with a plan , but a question and curiosity of : what kind of childhood do I want to give my child?”
For Nikita , the journey into early childhood development and education began with very personal experience.
When she was in her second trimester all she did was reading books and articles about early childhood brain development of babies . What began as curiousity slowly became her passion of learning and understanding how children learn , what shapes them and how much their early experiences matter.
Mantra of Nikita is :
CHILDREN DO NOT NEED TO BE RUSHED INTO GROWING UP. THEY NEED TIME, FREEDOM, NATURE AND REAL EXPERIENCES.
FROM ONE MOTHER’S QUESTION TO A LARGER PURPOSE
Nikita’s approach to education is deeply connected to her own experiences as mother.
A walk can become a lesson.
A visit a farm can become a science class. Playing with mud can become creativity.
Watching a plant grow can teach patience better than any worksheet.
Before asking what my child should learn, I ask myself what kind of person I want him to become.
BRINGING NATURE BACK TO CHILDHOOD
At the center of Nikita’s educational philosophy is a simple belief: children belong to real world , not in classrooms.
Respect to nature and connecting with our roots plays a major role in shaping up their personality for life time. They simply need the opportunity to notice it.
Her preference for nature rooted learning comes from watching how naturally children connect with their surroundings. A child does not need a complicated explanation or a worksheet to understand about a butterfly, a seed, or as simple as a fallen leaf.
They need opportunities to step outside, explore new places and learn through watching and observing around them. The school also let kids grow their own food, giving them chance to understand where food comes and what all it takes to grow. This also teaches them to be grateful and understand the importance of food.
Planting a seed is also planting a value: Patience, care and respect for nature. LETTING CHILDREN BE CHILDREN
Nikita doesn’t believe that “LIFE IS A RACE”
There is a growing pressure on children to read , write , perform better and constantly chase to achieve. But she believes there is somethingequally important that get lost in this race : the joy of simply being a child.
She wants children to have time to play messy , nurture their imagination and creativity , give them space to ask questions and be curious for every thing around them and discover things at their own pace.
“A CHILD’S CURIOUSITY IS MORE VALUABLE THAT A PERFECT MARKSHEET.”
CREATING LEARNING EXPERIENCE THAT STAYS WITH CHILDREN
For Nikita , the whole and sole purpose of meaningful education is about creating memories and experiences that will stay with children for long and will also help them to shape up their identity and personality.
It could be the excitement of growing their first vegetable, finding their first stone by the river and painting it with their lil hands, observing an insect in nature or simply being trusted to do something independently.
Their experiences quietly build confidence.
Her work mainly focuses on giving children opportunities to experiences the world rather than only hearing about it.
She also believes that teachers play an important role in this process. Through Montessori teachers training , she is raising awareness within teaching community as well to help more and more children. Helping educators to understand children better and approach the early years with more patience, awareness and empathy.
A MOTHER , AN EDUCATOR AND LIFELONG LEARNER Nikita’s journey is still evolving.
Her vision for the future is to create a learning spaces where children can stay curious, connected to nature and confident in who they are also creating childhood experiences that feel more real, meaningful and connected.
The most important lesson she has learnt during her journey is this : “WE DON’T HAVE TO FILL EVERY MOMENT OF A CHILD’S CHILDHOOD.
SOMETIMES WE NEED TO GIVE THEM THE FREEDOM TO DISCOVER IT”
Ans the kind of education Nikita continues to believe in: “Less pressure , more presence , less screen , more life , less rushing , more childhood”
