"C is for Cleanliness"

This is a fun project that young children love to do. We use this in our Kindergarten Alphabet Safari Class as the activity project for "C is for Cleanliness." It's really exciting to watch the children's expressions as they discover what dwells within us once we do all the necessary work to clean our minds and hearts.

Materials:
• Image of God/Goddess (we used old outdated postcards that were discarded.)
• Self-adhesive lamination sheets
• Dry Erase Crayon/Marker
• Pair of Scissors

Directions:
1. Cut the image down to size and then place it in the lamination sheet.

2. Once you have smoothed down the lamination sheet and gotten rid of any air bubbles, take a pair of scissors and trim away the excess until you have a nice border around your card. It's important to leave at least 1/4" lamination border around the image so that the edges don't separate.

3. Take a black Dry Erase Crayon/Marker and coat the entire card. Everything should come off easily with a paper towel. And if you want it sparkling clean, then the child can finish the job with a hand wipe. 

Lord Hanumaan

Here is a coloring sheet that our young children use to practice their likhita japa with. Have them fill in Lord Hanumaan with राम (rāma).

Materials
• Coloring page (see below)
• Markers or pens in different colors

Click on the image below and print

Make sure to adjust your brightness and printing size, if necessary.

Lord Shiva Lingam Mandala

This is a coloring page for children to perform their likhita japa with. The younger children will probably fare better by coloring the picture with crayons and then writing on the outside border. The older children might want to try coloring the entire Shiva Lingam with likhita japa − ऊँ नमः शिवाय (om namaḥ śivāya)

This project was created to accompany the Kindergarten's Tracing Sheet ऊँ नमः शिवाय (click here to view.)

Materials
Markers/Crayons (black and red)
Writing pens
Mandala Page (see below)

Click on the image and print

Make sure to adjust your brightness and page settings on your printer, if necessary.

ऊँ नमः शिवाय Tracing Sheet

This is a tracing sheet to help children practice writing ऊँ नमः शिवाय (om namaḥ śivāya).
This project was created for the likhita japa segment of the Kindergarten Class.

Click on image to print.

Make sure to adjust color and size on your printer, if necessary.

Click on the video to see writing

strokes for ऊँ नमः शिवाय

Lord Raama's Lotus Feet

Here is a very simple outline of Lord Raama's feet for the children to do their creative likhita japa with. All you need are a few colored writing pens and a copy of the image below. Have fun!

Click on the image and then print. 

Peacock Feather Drawing

The peacock feather is a fun image to do creative likhita japa with — the lines are extremely easy to follow. A good writing strategy is to start at the base of a line and work upwards. Make sure to finish one full line of the feather before moving on to the next.

Because older children are able to write smaller (and have greater focus), they might want to try a full mantra such as ऊँ श्री कृष्ण शरणं मम (om shree krishna sharanam mama). Younger children will probably fare better with filling the picture with ऊँ, aum or OM and using colors. What is important for us to remember is that the objective with these art exercises is that the child experiences joy while chanting the Lord's name — how "well or proper" they do it is secondary :-)

Happy Likhita Japa!!!

Materials:
• Good writing pens

Black artist pens, with different sized nibs, create beautiful tones. An excellent pen to look for is Prisma Color. You can find them at any quality craft or art store. A complete set comes in sizes .005, 01, 03, 05 and 08 — which is a perfect range of line widths. Other good pens are Micron (by Sakura) and Staedtler Triplus Fine liner.

Click on the image and print. If you want lighter lines, adjust your printer contrast setting.

Ganesha Mandala

This page was designed for creative likhita japa. With the first image, the child can write their mantra tracing the lines and then color it in with crayons — or better yet, color with likhita japa! (The second image was drawn with ऊँ गं गणपतये नमो नमः OM gam gaNapataye namo namaH.)

For a finishing touch — don't forget to add sequins and gems for decorations.

Another idea for an art project, is to print this on card stock paper. Once Lord Ganesha is completely decorated and colored in, cut around the circle and glue onto a greeting card. Make sure you reduce the image to your desired size before printing.

Tip: If you want the outlines to be extremely faded, just adjust the lightness on your printer and then print. 

To print the page below, click on the image and then print.

Shiva Lingam Mandala (Likhita Japa)

This mandala is dedicated to Guruji
Summer Camp 2010


Click on the image to view enlarged.

This mandala was created with likhita japa of "ऊँ नमः शिवाय" (OM namah Shivaaya.) Lightly trace the inner and outer circles with a pencil and bowl (or circle templates) . Once you are satisfied with the proportions, begin the likhita japa session with your writing pens. All pencil lines should be gently erased after the ink has thoroughly dried. The Shiva Lingam was painted (with gouache) in the center as a point of reflection after the japa session was completed.

Materials
• Good quality writing pens with different nib sizes
• Good quality Bristol paper (smooth vellum surface)
• Pencil
• Graphic eraser
• Gouache paints
• Paint brushes
• Gold metallic calligraphy pen/ink

Peacock Feather Likhita Japa

This likhita japa is dedicated to Swamiji
Summer Camp 2010

Click on the image to view enlarged.

The feather outline was lightly sketched in pencil before the japa began. With the outline in place, one can completely focus on writing the mantra without getting distracted by composition or placement. When the likhita japa session is completely finished (and the ink is dry), then the pencil lines can be gently erased.

For summer camp 2010 we will be encouraging the older children to perform likhita japa with their color and composition studies.

Likhita Japa Drawing (Lord Ganesha)

This drawing is dedicated to Guruji
Summer Camp 2010

Click on the image to view enlarged.

Here is a sample of a Likhita Japa Drawing. A very light pencil sketch was done outlining Lord Ganesha before the likhita japa session began. The outline was put in only to help guide the japa, so that focus would not be lost. Once the likhita was completely finished (and the ink was dry) the pencil lines were erased with a graphic eraser.

Materials
• bristol drawing paper
• black pens in different widths
• a pencil
• a good graphic eraser.

Some suggestions of images for the older children to try:

• a Shivalingam
• a diya
• a lotus flower
• a Rangoli pattern

OM Tracing Card

This OM is meant to be laminated (8.5 x 11) so that the children can practice writing their strokes correctly. We like to use Crayola Washable Markers on the lamination sheet, so that it can be easily washed off for the next writing session. Dry Erase Markers also work well -- you just need a bit more elbow grease to get the sheet clean. Having the children color the OM can also be a nice way for them to quieten their minds and meditate on God.

श्री राम Tracing Sheet

We use this in class for the children to practice Japa Writing. 

To Print: Click on the image below to view full-size. Print.

Lotus Flower

This project is dedicated to Gurudev

For balavihar classroom or personal use only
©jmg 2010

This flower is created with watercolor paper, which is quite easy to find — art stores, craft stores, and even stationary stores carry many different varieties. Watercolor paper is a fabulous medium to work with! It's possible to make very lovely and durable sculptures with just one sheet, some water, and careful maniupation.

Materials

• Watercolor paper

• Paint brush

• Water

• Color (water colors, water soluable art pencils, tempera paints, etc.)

• Decorating items, — glitter glue, acrylic gems, sequins, and/or lace

Directions
1. Print out the template below 3 times.  One is printed at 100%, one at 90% and one at 80%. You may scale them to any size you desire, just make sure all three are reduced/enlarged at the same percentage.

2. Cut out the 3 templates.

3. Trace them onto the watercolor paper.

4. Cut out the 3 shapes.

5. Color or paint each tier.

6. With the largest shape, take some water (using either a paintbrush or your fingers) and lightly cover each side. Take each leaf and roll it gently inwards until you get the desired effect.

7. Follow step 6 with the other two lotus tiers.

8. Decorate with gems or glitter.

9. Let dry.

10. Once all the pieces are dry, glue the three pieces together with a small dab of glue on the bottom of each tier.

Click on the template image below and print.

Lord Ganesha Pop-Up Card

This project is dedicated to Gurudev
©jmg 2008 For personal use only
Summer Camp 2009, 2010

Click on picture to view enlarged.

This card is not difficult to make at all – don't be discouraged by the number of assembly steps listed below.  Balavihar summer camp students (of all ages) made oodles of these. Adult supervision, however, is needed for cutting with an exacto knife.

Materials

• 1 Cream color greeting card (and envelope) 5 x 7*

• 1 Cream colored card (for pop-up structure) 4 1/4 x 5 1/2*

• Light color cardstock (for printing template image below)

• Gold foil

• Glue stick

• Scissors

• Exacto knife (adult supervision)

• Rhinestones, sequins, etc. (for decorating Lord Ganesha's crown)

• Gold gel pen
• Markers or colored pencils

* Fold a piece of sturdy cardstock for the card. Cut size to measurements listed above.

Directions

1. Print the image (below) onto a light colored cardstock.

2. Cut out the head, ears and pop-up template.

3. Fold the ears and head on the lines where indicated (dotted lines.)

4. With the 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card stock (in the folded position) , place the pop-up template on top. Make sure to carefully line the template onto the fold of the card.)

5. Trace the solid lines onto the folded cardstock. These lines determine the crown and head of Lord Ganesha.

6. With a pair of scissors, cut on the solid lines. Do not cut on the dotted lines.

7. Once you have made your cuts, fold the two shapes on the dotted lines. The top shape is the crown, and the bottom shape is Lord Ganesha's head.

Open the card and push the shapes in. Click here to see how it is done with a traditional pop-up card.

8. With the exacto knife (and adult supervision) you will be making 3 slices into the folded cardstock:

a)  The first two will be vertical cuts on either side of Ganesha's head — these cuts are where the ears will be placed. Make sure that your cuts will be long enough to insert each ear into.

b) The next cut will be horizontal, positioned about 1/5 to 1/4  down from the top of his face. This cut is where the trunk goes.

9. Once you have your cuts made, insert the ears and the trunk. Make sure to securely glue each flap on the back side of the card.

10. The trunk will create a natural fold when you close the card for the first time. Once the trunk has been folded, you can glue the tip of the trunk to the inside paper where it touches when the card is in the closed position.

11. Now you are ready to glue the inside folded card (4 1/4 x 5 1/2) to the outside card (5 x 7). Position the pop-up card inside the larger folded card, making sure that it is centered nicely. Open one side of the outer card and glue the inner card. Make sure to not glue the cut out areas, otherwise your card will not pop-up. Gently lay the outer card down on the inner card and rub thoroughly with your hands. Turn the card over and do the same to the other side. Click here to see pictures of gluing the folded papers together.

12. Decorate your Lord Ganesha — and then make another!

Solid lines represent cutting lines.

Dotted lines represent fold lines.

Click for full-page view. Print on cream colored cardstock

Krishna Paper Bag Puppet

Click on image to view enlarged.

Let the children create their own puppet of Lord Krishna using just a few materials.

Materials

Blue lunch bag

Blue construction paper

Black construction paper

Scraps of decorative paper (in different colors)

Sequins, lace, etc.

Feathers

2 Wiggly eyes

Glue stick

Markers

Scissors

Directions

Each child gets a blue paper bag -- and the rest is left up to them. Put different materials on the table and let them choose how they want to create their own Lord Krishna (or Lord Rama.)

Hanumaan Puppet

© 2008 This project is dedicated to Gurudev.
For use in Balavihar classrooms (or personal use) only.

Click on image to view enlarged.

Materials

Brown paper bag

1 Sheet light colored cardstock (for printing templates)

Brown construction paper (for head)

Light brown construction paper (for mouth)

Dark Brown construction paper (for hair and tail)

Small piece of black construction paper (for end of tail)

Gold Foil*(for गदा, gadaa)

Black Marker

2 Googly eyes

Gold sequins

*If using gold foil for the gadaa, glue the foil onto a piece of sturdy cardstock first. This will provide nice stability. After gluing it onto cardstock, trace the template and cut out.

Directions for assembly

Click on image for full-page view.

Print the template below onto light colored cardstock.

1. Cut out template pieces and trace them onto corresponding colored construction paper. Cut out.

2. Glue mouth onto head. Draw mouth and nose.

3. Glue head onto bag.

4. Glue hair onto head. Decorate with sequins

5. Glue eyes. Draw eyebrows.

6. Glue tail onto bag.

7. Glue the gadaa.

Scratch Art

© 2009 This project is dedicated to Gurudev.

For use in Balavihar classrooms (or personal use) only.
Click on picture to view enlarged.

This is a very fun project to do, especially with the younger kids — everyone loves scratch art! To make your own scratch art sheets you will need the following:

Materials

• Black Tempera Paint

• A few drops of dish detergent

• Picture of God or Goddess (Glossy photos work best)

• Q-tip (or paper towel*)

• Paintbrush

• Paint dish

* If the children are really ambitious "scratchers" then a paper towel might work better than a Q-tip. Too much pressure with the Q-tip can remove parts of the image.

Directions

1. Pour some tempera paint into your dish.

2. Add a few drops of dish detergent and mix well.

3. With your paintbrush, paint some broad and even strokes onto a glossy photograph. Cover completely.

4. Let Dry.

5. Take a Q-tip and let the children rub the photograph until the mystery picture is completely revealed.

Notes

If you want to make scratch art paper for the children to draw pictures with. You will need the following:

Materials

• Good card stock paper

• Wax crayons (colors and black*)

• Toothpick or wooden skewer
* can also use black tempera paint as outlined above.

Directions

1. Color the entire sheet of paper. (It's best if you use lots of bright colors.)

2. Once your sheet is completely colored, take a black crayon and cover the entire paper. It is important that no color shows. You also may have to rub a little harder with the black crayon to make an even, solid coating.

3. Take a toothpick and draw your picture. Have fun with the colors that emerge!

OM (Graphed)

This graph can be used for cross stitching, beading, paper mosaics, plastic canvas, etc. — basically any project that requires graphing! We used this design for bead looming and cross stitching in our summer camp art class.

© 2009 This project is dedicated to Gurudev.

For use in Balavihar classrooms (or personal use) only.
Click on picture to view enlarged.

This OM poster was made with images of Pujya Gurudev Chinmayanandaji, Pujya Guruji and Swami Shantanandaji. The background was created from black and white xeroxes, while the foreground was done from the same xeroxing — only on orange paper stock. Each image is 1" square. This OM was the first one made from the graph, hence the slight differences in the letter stroke. We have since made some graph corrections for the more recent beaded projects above. Click on the picture to view enlarged.

Lord Ganesha (Graphed)

This graph can be used for cross stitching, beading, paper mosaics, plastic canvas, etc. — basically any project that requires graphing! We used this design for bead looming and cross stitching in our summer camp art class.

© 2009 This project is dedicated to Gurudev.

For use in Balavihar classrooms (or personal use) only.
Click on picture to view enlarged.

Shiva Lingam (Graphed)

This graph can be used for cross stitching, beading, paper mosaics,  plastic canvas, etc. — basically any project that requires graphing! We used this design for bead looming and cross stitching in our summer camp art class.

© 2009 This project is dedicated to Gurudev.

For use in Balavihar classrooms (or personal use) only.
Click on picture to view enlarged.