TAPAS PROGRESSIVE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION - HELPING YOUNG KIDS LEARN THE SAME CONCEPTS THE PROJECT WAY!
Last weekend, my son and I attended an interesting event ‘Vaarshikotsav’ at Tapas Progressive Educational Institution, Banashankari, Bangalore. It is currently a villa-turned-school with a vision to make a big difference in the learning arena. They plan to shift to a bigger location soon in the same area.
Though they follow the IGCSE board, their way of learning is quite unique. Their curriculum is derived from the Cambridge syllabus and includes inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, problem-solving methodology and mixed environments. Instead of mugging up a paragraph (like we used to), the children are made to do projects based on what they learnt. These projects involve speaking to real-life workers from the field, taking measurements of the raw materials, understanding how the ecosystem works by way of art and craft, creating a protocol, reading lots of books, etc. The syllabus is customized to make learning more holistic and interconnected. Instead of classrooms, they are called environments.
Vaarshikotsav was completely (99%) organized by the students aged 6 to 8 years. Here, we experienced collaborative learning where each child helped each other in their projects, games or acts. The benefits of project-based learning were depicted in the confidence, creativity and teamwork shown by the students. For example, the narration, before and after presenting the task at hand, demonstrated the self-confidence and knowledge that these young students possessed.
Bangalore’s first project-based learning school – Tapas Progressive Educational Institution also focuses on including Samskrit (not a spelling mistake) in their teachings. This bilingual approach (spoken English and spoken Samskrit) will help young children in their cognitive and socio-emotional development. Along with a unique academic concept of learning, TPEI believes in enriching the cultural realms of the younger generation, too. That day, we saw how 7-year-olds were not only instructing us on how to play a game, but also informing us about the core values through their acts.
My son and I enjoyed the play based on the well-known story ‘The Three Little Pigs’. It wasn’t a story narrated by an adult but by a confident 7-year-old girl. We could see that the actors in the play were having fun with their acts and not nervous about getting their lines perfect. The ‘big bad wolf’ was having the time of his life ‘huffing and puffing’ the houses. The audience in front of them did not seem to deter their confidence at all.
I was quite impressed with this as I know that being home-schooled, many children like my son lacks this self-confidence. He loves dancing, but the moment he has an audience, he gets conscious and stops. And I’m like that, too. The instant I step on stage, out goes my confidence and in comes a blank screen in front of my mind (unless I have prepped or have a smaller audience).
As a humble writer myself, I was happy when the founders and teachers invited me as a guest to launch a book. A book launch in school? I was pretty confused about who the author was as none of that was revealed. Just before they called me on stage (with a whole introduction about me), I was told that the authors were the children themselves. The books that they had written (individually and collaboratively) were printed and bound like real books. Trust me, when we surprised the little authors by releasing their books, I was as thrilled as they were while I opened the wrapper!
This was followed by a book-reading and book-signing session!!! How cool is that?
Our school days had nothing that focused on overall development. Only the visibly talented could go ahead and sing, dance or speak on stage. But now, schools like Tapas Progressive Educational Institution believe in inclusion and not only aim at having an academically smarter generation but also intend to bring up confident and mature individuals who will surely make this world a better place to live in.
Interested in enrolling your kids in a school like this? Visit their website and contact them now. Limited seats for admissions are open from grades 1 to 5 as they have a low student-teacher ratio in order to give each student one-on-one attention.
15 Comments
It is good to know about such educational institution that aims to impart education through project concepts. This method will be really helpful for children’s future as most higher studies involve project based research.
Wow thanks for sharing about this institution. This seems a great place for kids to learn. Will share and recommend to my friends.
I hope we have more schools like this who believe in inclusion . I saw so much partiality during the online classes in these two years that i have no hopes from any school .
Yeah, this one is unique.
How impressive! So good to know about them yaa and I am glad you enjoyed with the kiddo.
Personalized, project-based learning environments or kids…. that’s so novel and simply the need of the hour.
Kudos to Tapas Team for bringing out such an innovative and alternative learning school which is tailored to suit the needs and skill sets of the kids.
Learning is surely changing and it is going to be good. With progressive approach of project based learning our kids will now be thinking based learning then rote learning. Good that you launched the book written by children.
Wow what an experience. These kind of initiatives motivates kids to give their best. This school seems to be really nice as I too believe in activity and collaborative based learning.
It is a new world and so had education evolved too, really appreciate the details and how practical the learnings at schools like Tapas Progressive Educational Institution are to give the best to today’s kids
Amazing! Congratulations on the book launch honour 🙂 I think every city should have a school like this. Hope they have a franchise system.
Wow I would love to know more about this school. Going to check their website for more details.
Wow you have launched a book as a guest, this is awesome. yes, I strongly believe in project based learning and in fact, I make different projects with my girls. it is great that Tapas educational institution has adopt project based leaning style for kids. it will help in their overall grooming and personality development.
Tapas, sounds like an amazing school. It’s unbelievable that such small kids arranged this event. Everything about this school is so exciting, I wish we had such schools in our time. We are shifting to Bangalore this month, I would definitely love to visit this school and check it out for my son.
Wow, welcome, let’s meet up too!
Thats a wonderful concept. Tapas is going to bring a much needed change in the education system. Kids blooms when they get friendly and hands on environment.