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== शैशवम् ॥ Childhood (Until the age of 5years)  ==

== शैशवम् ॥ Childhood (Until the age of 5years)  ==

*This is a stage of creating impressions in the mind of the child so as to mould the evolving mind. Therefore, stories play a very important role. Especially, those like that of Prahlada that emphasize on the omniscience of the Supreme being.

*This is a stage of creating impressions in the mind of the child so as to mould the evolving mind. Therefore, stories play a very important role. Especially, those like that of Prahlada that emphasize on the omniscience of the Supreme being.

* In this stage, parents are advised to observe the child, having understood one's own [[Varna Dharma (वर्णधर्मः)|Varna Dharma]].  

* It is said, लालयेत् पञ्च वर्षाणि | ''lālayet pañca varṣāṇi |'' In this stage, parents are advised to observe the child, having understood one's own [[Varna Dharma (वर्णधर्मः)|Varna Dharma]] and then chose appropriate games, songs and stories. The atmosphere is to be created based on the observation.  

 

* Other important activities include practice of Sanskrit conversation in a disciplined fashion, collection and rendition of pictures based on respective Varna.

* Other important activities include practice of Sanskrit conversation in a disciplined fashion, collection and rendition of pictures based on respective Varna.

*Here too, the main role will be of the mother. While the father, and the other members of the family will lend a helping hand.

*Here too, the main role will be of the mother. While the father, and the other members of the family will lend a helping hand.

The initial stages of शैशवम्, बाल्यम् and किशोरावस्था see the development of conducive mind set. It is adviced to get the dharmashastras and the [[Bhagavad Gita (भगवद्गीता)|Bhagavad Gita]] learnt by heart in this stage. It is in the यौवनम् that an understanding of responsibilities develop. At this stage, texts appropriate at this age are to be made available. And गार्हस्थ्यम् is the stage that has the responsibility to learn and teach. It is also essential to understand that स्त्री and पुरुषः are same at the psychological level. It is the nature of behaviour that is different.

The initial stages of शैशवम्, बाल्यम् and किशोरावस्था see the development of conducive mind set. It is adviced to get the dharmashastras and the [[Bhagavad Gita (भगवद्गीता)|Bhagavad Gita]] learnt by heart in this stage. It is in the यौवनम् that an understanding of responsibilities develop. At this stage, texts appropriate at this age are to be made available. And गार्हस्थ्यम् is the stage that has the responsibility to learn and teach. It is also essential to understand that स्त्री and पुरुषः are same at the psychological level. It is the nature of behaviour that is different.

In the initial stages, parents are advised to observe the child, having understood one's own [[Varna Dharma (वर्णधर्मः)|Varna Dharma]]. Varna is obtained based on the fruits of previous actions. Other important activities include practice of Sanskrit conversation in a disciplined fashion, collection and rendition of stories, pictures, dramas and games based on respective Varna. It is the responsibility of a गृहस्थ to give birth to a generation better than oneself and to nurture a feeling of collective social responsibility so that no action goes against the society.   

In the initial stages, parents are advised to observe the child, having understood one's own Varna Dharma and then chose appropriate games, songs and stories. Varna is obtained based on the fruits of previous actions. The atmosphere is to be created based on the observation. This observation is to be continued through the गर्भावस्था, शैशवम् and बाल्यम्. Other important activities include practice of Sanskrit conversation in a disciplined fashion, collection and rendition of stories, pictures, dramas and games based on respective Varna. In the किशोरावस्था and यौवनम्, there is need for guidance towards one's responsibilities (दायित्वम्). It is the responsibility of a गृहस्थ to give birth to a generation better than oneself and to nurture a feeling of collective social responsibility so that no action goes against the society.   

This entire exercise will bring to our attention that in this Curriculum of life provided by the Indian tradition, the subject matter covered will total up to give us a coursework for all stages of life beginning with the गर्भपूर्वावस्था  to वृद्धावस्था.

This entire exercise will bring to our attention that in this Curriculum of life provided by the Indian tradition, the subject matter covered will total up to give us a coursework for all stages of life beginning with the गर्भपूर्वावस्था  to वृद्धावस्था.