Yogiji Maharaj established the Bal-Balika Mandal (children's forum) to educate, elevate and inspire children. This ethos of nurturing children was furthered by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, and continues to flourish today with the guidance and blessings of Mahant Swami Maharaj. According to their guidance, BAPS swamis travel to towns and cities around the world to reinforce these messages of upright living, family harmony and social responsibility.
Integral to the development of our children is educating parents. Towards this end, Tyagprakash Swami has delivered a number of special seminars on the ‘Psychology of Child Development’ at various BAPS mandirs and centres across the UK, from 2015 onwards.
The first part of the seminars focus on the brain development of young children, detailing the absorption of knowledge from their early days, and the science behind environmental impact on brain development. Parents are provided practical advice on techniques to foster a more positive and conducive atmosphere. The teaching is supported with accompanying diagrams and charts to convey key points.
This session also underlines the potential negative impacts of technology on children, with references from scientific studies. Reading references are also provided to enable parents to gain a deeper understanding of their children’s needs, interests and wants.
The second part of the developmental road map explores the elements of body (diet, exercise and lifestyle disciplines), the power and complexity of the mind, and the significant role that a spiritually enriched life plays in the holistic development of a child. The presentations also explain how family harmony can achieve these specific developmental aims.
The seminars have been very well received and many delegates have shared their positive impressions, pledging to incorporate the learning in their daily lives. A young mother from Luton wrote, “The seminar was a real eye-opener on the critical responsibility that parents have to nurture and develop their children. I particularly enjoyed the simple explanations of the complex theories and studies, and found the real-life examples very relevant. Thank you for organising this excellent event.”