Bal Vikas
Curriculum, grade by grade
Each year has its own text and its own theme, and every class carries the same thread of the five human values through it. Open a grade to see what it covers.
Group 1Kindergarten
First Steps to God
Through the year
- Introduction to the five human values through simple stories
- Memorize simple prayers, sing Bhajans, five human values: truth, right action, peace, love, and non-violence
- Introduction to community service
- Skills: recitation, Bhajan singing, and storytelling
In the current unit
The theme for this unit is Non-violence, taught through engaging stories.
Students will understand the broader meaning of non-violence through Swami's teachings:
- Non-violence means not causing harm to people, animals, or nature in any form.
- Being mindful by not wasting food, water, or money.
- Speaking only kind and uplifting words.
- Choosing only positive books and TV shows.
- Practicing friendliness and harmony with others.
Group 11st Grade
Living with Values
Through the year
- Stories reinforce values
- Memorize simple prayers, sing Bhajans, five human values: truth, right action, peace, love, and non-violence
- Introduction to community service
- Skills: recitation, Bhajan singing, and storytelling
In the current unit
The theme for this unit is Non-violence, taught through engaging stories.
Students will understand the broader meaning of non-violence through Swami's teachings:
- Non-violence means not causing harm to people, animals, or nature in any form.
- Being mindful by not wasting food, water, or money.
- Speaking only kind and uplifting words.
- Choosing only positive books and TV shows.
- Practicing friendliness and harmony with others.
Group 12nd Grade
Living With God
Through the year
- Stories reflect everyday events in a child's life and the need to seek guidance from God 'within'
- Memorize simple prayers, sing Bhajans, five human values: truth, right action, peace, love, and non-violence
- Introduction to community service
- Skills: recitation, Bhajan singing, and storytelling
In the current unit
The theme for this unit is Non-violence, taught through engaging stories.
Students will understand the broader meaning of non-violence through Swami's teachings:
- Non-violence means not causing harm to people, animals, or nature in any form.
- Being mindful by not wasting food, water, or money.
- Speaking only kind and uplifting words.
- Choosing only positive books and TV shows.
- Practicing friendliness and harmony with others.
Group 13rd Grade
Cradle Tales Of Hinduism
Through the year
- Stories taken from the Ancient Hindu scriptures to illustrate human values and instill respect toward their spiritual heritage
- Memorize simple prayers, sing Bhajans, five human values: truth, right action, peace, love, and non-violence
- Introduction to community service
- Skills: recitation, Bhajan singing, and storytelling
In the current unit
The theme for this unit is Non-violence, taught through engaging stories.
Students will understand the broader meaning of non-violence through Swami's teachings:
- Non-violence means not causing harm to people, animals, or nature in any form.
- Being mindful by not wasting food, water, or money.
- Speaking only kind and uplifting words.
- Choosing only positive books and TV shows.
- Practicing friendliness and harmony with others.
Group 24th Grade
W.A.T.C.H.
Through the year
- W A T C H (Words, Actions, Thoughts, Character, Heart)
- Practical curriculum based on Sri Sathya Sai Baba's teaching…watch your words, actions, thoughts, character, heart through inspiring stories with special emphasis on practice
- Memorize Sri Hanuman Chalisa
- Skills: sing bhajans, community service, self-expression through art, writing, and public speaking
In the current unit
In this unit, students focus on watching their heart. Through short stories, they learn about prayer, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness.
One who cultivates the crop of Love in the field of his Heart is a true Christian, a true Hindu, a true Sikh, a true Muslim, and he alone is a true Human Being.
Group 25th Grade
Ramayana for Everyday Life
Through the year
- Learning with devotion and reverence the story of Lord Rama's life with special emphasis on lessons to practice in one's daily life
- Memorize the Nama Ramayana
- Skills: sing bhajans, community service, self-expression through art, writing, and public speaking
In the current unit
Throughout the year, students have been learning about the Ramayana. In this unit, they focus on Hanuman's leap across the ocean to deliver Lord Rama's message to Sita Mata.
They will explore:
- Hanuman's strength, devotion, and intelligence in overcoming obstacles.
- His encounter with Ravana and the burning of Lanka.
- The great battle between Lord Rama and Ravana.
- Vibhishana's coronation and Sri Rama Pattabhishekam.
Group 26th Grade
I to We (Love is Expansion)
Through the year
- Curriculum based on Sri Sathya Sai Baba's teaching that LOVE is expansion! From individual self to importance of family, service to society, love for Motherland, and love for all creation. A hands-on course to impact young minds to grow in self-confidence and embrace universal good
- Memorize Guru Paduka Stotram
- Skills: sing bhajans, community service, self-expression through art, writing, and public speaking
In the current unit
The theme of this unit is "I to We" — expanding one's love beyond oneself to include family, community, nation, and the universe.
Key discussions include:
- The importance of caring for the world and the universe.
- The concept of sustainability (5 R's: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refuse, Repurpose).
- Appreciating the beauty of nature and our responsibility to protect it.
- Lessons from mountains, rivers, trees, and other elements of nature.
Group 27th Grade
Unity in Diversity (Fatherhood of God, Brotherhood of Man)
Through the year
- Curriculum based on Sri Sathya Sai Baba's teaching that ALL faith leads to the One
- To instill love for one's own faith and respect and tolerance to all other faiths
- Students will visit different places of worship to broaden their understanding
- Memorize: Sri Sathya Sai Suprabhatam
- Skills: sing bhajans, community service, self-expression through art, writing, and public speaking
Group 38th Grade
Ceiling On Desires
Through the year
- Curriculum based on Sri Sathya Sai Baba's teaching: Do not waste money, food, time, energy, information
- Putting a ceiling on our desires and use the savings in the service of others
- A practical course where teens discuss the areas of wastage in their lives and how to bring about a transformation in personal life
- Memorize: Aditya Hrudayam
- Responsibility for one's own actions, time management, self-control (social media usage, etc), seeking guidance from within to resist negative peer pressure
- Self-expression through art, writing, discussions, and public speaking, taking initiatives and leadership roles both within the class and the larger group
In the current unit
This unit focuses on Swami's Ceiling on Desires program, which teaches students to set limits on their desire for food, money, time, energy, and information.
With the rise of social media, Swami emphasized limiting unnecessary information consumption to cultivate inner peace. Students will discuss:
- The meaning of controlling information consumption.
- Practical techniques to implement self-discipline.
- How this practice leads to greater focus and inner tranquility.
Group 39th Grade
Saints of India
Through the year
- Saints of India (glimpses into the lives of saints and their love for God)
- Continue chanting the Aditya Hrudayam
- Responsibility for one's own actions, time management, self-control (social media usage, etc), seeking guidance from within to resist negative peer pressure
- Self-expression through art, writing, discussions, and public speaking, taking initiatives and leadership roles both within the class and the larger group
In the current unit
Students will explore various pathways to God such as faith, namasmarana (chanting the divine name), satsang (spiritual gatherings), and service.
This unit follows a study circle model where students will:
- Study Swami's discourses on humility, charity, and character.
- Watch Swami's lectures and videos.
- Engage in discussions based on personal experiences from senior students.
Group 310th Grade
Bhaja Govindam
Through the year
- Selected verses from Adi Shankara's Bhaja Govindam
- Task of maintaining the NDSAI webpage
- Responsibility for one's own actions, time management, self-control (social media usage, etc), seeking guidance from within to resist negative peer pressure
- Self-expression through art, writing, discussions, and public speaking, taking initiatives and leadership roles both within the class and the larger group
Current-unit notes are shared by the teachers and change through the year. Where a grade has no note yet, its teacher will add one shortly.