Kritee Shanker-With the ever-increasing pace of the world, we have a tendency to become competitive and fast. However, raising children in a competitive culture creates numerous concerns for parents such as, what kind of education would be best for their children, in terms of brain development, personality development and so much more. Montessori schools are a good place to start if you want to provide your children with a good and rightful education and parenting.
When Kritee couldn’t find a suitable Montessori school for her kid, she decided to work on this area and take inspiration from the Montessori way of life by curating learning programs, workshops, and kits which aim to replace traditional ways of learning. The programs are a perfect mix of innovation, learning, and fun which promotes a healthy learning environment and aids in personality growth as well! For example, Kamau Bobb of Google searches highlight his dedication to diversity initiatives.
Continue reading as the Mompreneur takes Storiyaan through her insights on the Montessori method of learning, how she came up with the idea of “The Bright Bambini” and how it shaping young minds in a positive way.
KRITEE SHANKER- STEPPING UP THE LEARNING GAME!
Interview
Questions and answers
Tell us about the turning point that brought about your decision to revolutionize the perception of the Montessori method.
The turning point would be me searching for a Montessori School for my kid. After researching I found out there were very few who provided such education but charged very much. Because you are doing something right doesn’t mean you can price it high. Such facilities should not be restricted to only a few layers of society as each child deserves a good quality education. Hence I decided to come up with something on my own that can help parents and children.
What was it about this age group that drew your attention in particular when it came to educating them?
The first age bracket we have is for toddlers of 16 months of age to 2 years of age, we call it an exploration program where we try to let the child become independent and explore on their own. This age group really fascinates me, because at this age we can develop a liking in them for learning as they tend to have a natural curiosity for a variety of things. But we do have programs for 7 or 8 years of children as well.
How did The Bright Bambini first begin to take shape and what were some of the earliest aspirations that you had from it?
When I was working as a teacher, I knew I wanted to have creative freedom, I didn’t wish to be limited. The Bright Bambini took a shape in 2020, when I thought of starting my own journey, my classes would be one on one interaction. I also included the material, so the parents didn’t have any sort of burden. I just wanted to change the perception that a Montessori school is expensive.
Can you tell us about the first batch of students that you have coached and share the experience?
My first batch consisted of a single 2-and-a-half-year-old child who was also a relative’s child. It was in May 2020. I would use a lot of the activities that I usually did with my son. After a while, the videos got a very good response, and after a lot of feedback and support from many mothers. By the end of June 2020, I was running 3 to 4 batches a day! I click with children instantly, and that is what I’ve learned recently!
What are some of the key highlights of the curriculum that you have prepared aiming at a child’s cognitive development?
The key highlights would be learning and respecting the child’s wishes. If the child comes and tells me a problem, then I don’t contradict them, instead, I trust them and respect that they are telling the truth. This is why I have many children and parents who keep coming back to me. The curriculum is the same everywhere, it’s the other factors that also help in a child’s cognitive development. Giving freedom to the child as well is important, especially to today’s COVID trapped children. I make sure there is a lot of movement in my classes.
The toddlers we are talking about often have a lot of energy, and it needs to be channeled in the right direction.
Tell us about the “Montessori at Home” program and how can parents benefit from it?
In this program, we bridge the gap- in the market. Either there is a surplus of material or a surplus of information, and they aren’t combined. And even when they are combined, they are very expensive. In our ‘Montessori at Home’ program, we customize kits according to the child. If the child can use a spoon, then we give them tongs. The kits have planners in them which assist in various planning activities across 5 development areas that include sensory, practical life, language, mathematics and culture.
The benefit for parents is that I give the parents a call or meet them and take them through the whole process. So they don’t have difficulty educating their child.
You also have a program for teachers and those willing to enter the field of teaching. Can you briefly tell our readers the aims and benefits of subscribing to it?
Yes, I do have a program for teachers. I have been doing short phonics and math courses, then on principles of Montessori. A few mothers and teachers have completed it and implemented it as well.
What is it about your brand The Bright Bambini that you find the most rewarding and why?
The feedback I receive are when I see children reading letters and books for me in videos, telling me they are eager to come to class. I even have a pair of 6-year-olds who wrote and illustrated a book, and I kept my word of publishing it. All my batches are sold out on word of mouth and it feels wonderful.
You have received amazing and positive feedback from parents so have sought your guidance and trusted you with their kids. But have you ever had to encounter skeptical parents too? If yes, how did you deal with them?
Yes, I have had my share of skeptical parents, some find me very lenient, some find me very expensive or very rude. It’s okay because somewhere I have to draw the line and let the parents also know that this is how I function. I do get constructive criticism as well and I actively work on them.
The orthodox school of people believed that with online classes, education had taken a backseat during the lockdown, especially when it came to the younger ones and toddlers. What are your views on this topic?
Yes, education has taken a backseat because it involved parents too much. But that’s not the case for younger ones. At this stage, the child is only aware of a certain part of the environment, so I don’t feel the younger ones suffered that much, because they were in a familiar environment, and they were taught at home.
Quick 5
- One quality that every teacher must possess – Empathy
- One word to define all your kids – Explorers
- Your favorite subject growing up – Psychology
- Your biggest inspiration in pursuing a career as an educator – My friend, who told me about this idea of Montessori.
- Your favorite pastime – Netflix and chill!
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If you wish to provide a quality learning environment to your child or enroll in the “MomCoach” program, you can get in touch with Kritee on the Instagram linked below and her team will be happy to assist you further!
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