Making Samskritam Learning Fun and Meaningful for Children
Samskrita Bharati USA’s Bālaśikṣaṇam is dedicated to bringing the Samskritam language and Samskritiḥ (cultural heritage) to children in an engaging and inspiring way. Our goal is to connect young students to the rich traditions of India through language.
A Nurturing and Structured Program
Engaging Teaching for Young Learners
Our experienced teachers create a positive and supportive classroom environment. They customize lessons based on what children are interested in, what they need, and what they already know. We constantly review and improve our teaching methods to make sure students get the best learning experience. Building strong relationships between teachers, children, and families is key to a successful learning atmosphere.
Bālaśikṣaṇam Program Overview
The Bālaśikṣaṇam program is an eight-year, structured curriculum designed for students from Kindergarten to 7th grade. It fully immerses students in both spoken and written Samskritam, helping them develop the necessary skills to become fluent and confident speakers, readers, and writers.
We use a variety of interactive techniques, including:
- Full immersion in spoken Samskritam.
- Interactive language games and role-playing.
- Enacting stories and reciting Śubhashitams (wise sayings).
To support learning at home, we also offer bridging activities through our online learning management system.
Cultivating Future Leaders: The YLSP
The Young Leaders and Scholars Program (YLSP) is our special initiative to develop leadership skills in students while they explore academic and community projects.
Eligibility and Phases
Students who successfully complete the Bālaśikṣaṇam end-of-course exam are eligible to participate in YLSP, which has two phases:
- Mentorship Phase (6th–9th grade): Students work on one three-month project per year. These projects, designed by the students based on their interests and the needs of their Samskrita-kendram (Samskritam center), focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), visual arts, or social service. The goal is to develop leadership and scholarly skills.
- Internship Phase (10th grade): This six-month project requires students to design, plan, and execute a research-based STEAM project that seamlessly integrates their Samskritam knowledge with their academic interests.
YLSP is a unique platform that helps students realize their potential as scholars, scientists, and leaders while making a real impact on their learning center and the wider community.
A Samskritam Home and Community
Family and Community Involvement
We strongly encourage open communication between teachers and families. Parents are welcome to observe classes and play an active role in their child’s learning.
Many of our local chapters host simultaneous classes for children and adults. This unique initiative, called Samskrita-kendram, helps create a Saṁskṛta Gṛham (a Samskritam Home) where the entire family can learn and speak Samskritam together.
The program is powered by a dedicated team of over 300 volunteers. Every week, these Samskrita-kendrams engage over 1,500 children, parents, and adults across major metropolitan areas in the USA.
Immersive Cultural Events
SBUSA organizes various cultural events through the Samskrita-kendrams to provide an immersive Samskritam experience and strengthen cultural connections. These events include:
- Samskrita-Melā (cultural fair)
- Gītā-Jayantī (celebrating the Bhagavad Gītā)
- Ślokaspardhā (verse recitation competition)
- Summer Camp Pāṇini
Contact and More Information
- Questions: For any questions about your child’s learning or to find a nearby class, please contact us at balagana@sbusa.org.
- Class Locations: For more information about children’s classes and the locations of our local Samskrita Kendrams, please visit samskritamforchildren.samskritabharatiusa.org.