What is Mindscape Methodology?
Mindscape Education Methodology is a modern approach to ancient Indian education systems. Mindscape uses “Play”, especially Board Games as tools to enhance learning potential and engage learners in the process of synthesizing knowledge. Application of knowledge is facilitated through art. Mindscape Learning Spaces are specially designed to facilitate this methodology and caters to children from birth to young adulthood. Parent participation and senior student mentorship is an integral part of Mindscape.
This methodology has been developed, enhanced and refined over the past 30 years and put into effective application since 2004. The first batch of Mindscape graduates have now carried forward and enhanced the scope of the methodology by establishing “Leela Gurukulam” – a Mindscape Learning Space, “Valli Edu Pvt Ltd” – an organization for play based content development, “Baby Leela” – an open play space for babies and “Leela Bhoomi” – Mindscape Training space for educators, parents and life coaches at Bangalore, India. The vision approach, guidance and techniques for Mindscape is rooted in the wisdom of Indian scriptures which are focused on Human Knowledge Systems and Learning.
What is the vision and approach to education and learning through Mindscape?
The Vision to provide holistic education, with content that is organic to human development in a self-paced zero pressure environment, using play.
Approach –
- Education is the facilitation of learning.
- Teaching can be planned and executed, but learning is an occurrence. They are not equal and opposite action – reaction sequences.
- A human being is a self aware energy being capable of receiving, transmitting and storing energy, designed for Self Knowledge.
- Education should enable knowledge to be divined from within a learner. Learning potential within a human being expresses when placed in a conducive field of energy.
- Brain and intelligence play only a part in the human learning mechanism.
- Parenting and cultural identity are integral parts of education.
- Children achieve milestones at their own unique pace, this includes expressions like reading and writing.
- Imagination is more important than intelligence.
Where does Mindscape derive guidance from?
Education should lead to development through 5 domains that make up a human being – Physical, Emotional, Mental/ Intellectual, Spiritual and Universal. This concept known in Sanskrit language as “Pancha Koshas” is given to us through the wisdom of the Rishis of Bharata, in scriptures and oral tradition followed by the Shivanetra lineage. This is also the guidance provided by the Govt of India in the National Curriculum Framework For School Education.
The rest of the 4 domains are related to self-realisation and develop through a process of metamorphosis – Egg → Larva → Pupa → Imago→ Egg →…….
Each stage of human development has a unique epistemology, i.e. what is known [knowledge] and how it is known [means to knowledge], which gets added on to the next stage.
1 – Egg stage – First 1100 days of life. 90 days before conception, 280 days of pregnancy and 730 days as an infant age 0 to 2.
- Before Conception
Knowledge sought by the Inner Self – What is Human Existence? What is the purpose of Human Life?
Means to Knowledge – Resonance, Vibrations, Beliefs, Words, Narratives, Revelations [Shabdha Pramana]
- Pregnancy
Knowledge sought by the Inner Self – Who am I? Where am I? Who am I with?
Means to Knowledge – Absence, Negation, Alternatives [Anupalabdhi Pramana]
- Infancy
Knowledge sought by the Inner Self – What are the templates for life? How do I operate? How to achieve my life purpose?
Means to Knowledge – Senses, Patterns, Absorption [Pratyaksha Pramana]
2 – Larva stage – Toddlerhood and Early Childhood age 2 / 3 to 10 /11.
Knowledge sought by the Inner Self – How does this world work? What is the interplay happening here? How to build my world?
Means to Knowledge – Comparison, Example, Analogy [Upamana Pramana]
3 – Pupa stage – Pre Adolescence and Teenage 11 / 12 to 18 /19.
Knowledge sought by the Inner Self – What is expected out of me? What do I want to be? How can I express myself?
Means to Knowledge – Inference, Guess, Reason, Conclusion, Action – Consequence, Connection [Anumana Pramana]
2 – Larva stage – Toddlerhood and Early Childhood age 2 / 3 to 10 /11.
Knowledge sought by the Inner Self – What is my uniqueness? What are my beliefs and narratives? What am I aiming to be?
Means to Knowledge – Hypothesis, Postulation, Imagination, Contradiction [Arthapatti Pramana]
What are the techniques used in Mindscape Methodology?
Mindscape uses techniques of play through board games, story telling, sacred geometry, puzzles, building blocks and simulations to facilitate learning. Using the guidance as mentioned above, we at Mindscape curate play for various age groups. The technique we use is a flow. Stage of development – Knowledge being sought – Available means to knowledge – Type of Play – Games and props to be used.
- Stage of development
- Knowledge being sought
- Available means to knowledge
- Type of Play
- Games and props to be used
PLAY AND GAMES USED IN MINDSCAPE
Specifically designed board games for parents to play in order for the baby to learn and grow!!!
- During preconception, when they are planning to have a baby
- Pregnancy
- Infancy 0 to 2 years
Open Learning Space for Babies 0 to 2 years with toys, sounds, chants and sacred geometry!!!
36 Board Games specifically designed for toddlers, play learning and storytelling props. Subjects covered include basic foundations of – Culture, General Science, Quantum Science, History, Geography, Chemistry, Cosmology, Astronomy, Language and sounds, Math Patterns, Numeracy, Artificial Intelligence, Physics, Organic Chemistry, Astro Physics, Calculus, Geometry, Robotics, Affective Sciences and much more.
Puzzles with specific themes and accompanying music
Board Games with specific game mechanics
Therapeutic Board Games
a special series called Life-In-A-Box with 12 modules for stage 3 and 4 learners and adults
- LIAB Vallamkalli – Harmonising with Cause and Effect
- LIAB Conscious – Know your Unique Energy Signature
- LIAB Dynotwist – Be the Architect of your Mind
- LIAB Grandbois – Understanding the Play of Conditioning
- LIAB Kingdomino – Insight into Human Memory Patterns
- LIAB Startups and Beyond – Taking Ownership of one’s own Life Experiences
- LIAB Yuddhabhumi – Wisdom of Srimad Bhagavad Gita
- LIAB Chai Garam – Bringing Compassion into Human Relationships
- LIAB Karigar – e – Taj – Manifest Your Abundance
- LIAB Sheriff of Nottingham – Human Value Systems – Good, Bad and Ugly
- LIAB Hidden Leaders – Success, Temperament and Personality
- LIAB Indus – The journey of Knowledge, Learning and Wisdom
Know your Child. A parent has 2 essential tasks – first giving their child roots and then giving them wings
Board Game Sessions for Parents
Narrative Building for Parenting
Designing Games for articulation and intentional Parenting
Children 7 years and above at Mindscape Learning Space are registered students of the National Institute of Open Schooling. It is the largest open schooling system in the world and operates as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education, Govt. of India. The syllabus provided by NIOS is delivered to children through Board Games, digital interactive worksheets and workshops. Examination preparation is conducted through memory games in which children learn to match questions with expected answers.
Mathematics
Humanities
Culture
Language
Science
