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Maple Bear India hosted its 3rd Annual Maple Bear Partners and Educators Convention on 1st and 2nd June 2008 at New Delhi YMCA, Jai Singh Road. The convention brings together all Maple Bear partners in India and Bangladesh for a two-day workshop styled time of interaction with their peers and experts in pre-school education.

Maple Bear Pre School is a program designed to educate the child intellectually, physically, emotionally and socially in a stimulating environment that encourages creativity and self-expression. It also aims at developing a positive self-image with children and enables them to become competent learners.

The Maple Bear Pre-School methodology is based on learning through Experience and Exploration. It therefore gives additional responsibility to Maple Bear Schools to provide children a comfortable, non-intimidating, encouraging and secure learning environment.
Maple Bear School is an exciting place where children develop a positive self-image and are encouraged to be true to themselves and to their heritage.

At this convention the focus is on Maple Bear Schools as a Caring Community. We have experts at the convention to share their thoughts and experiences that would challenge, encourage Maple Bear schools to being sensitive and responsive to the community needs, children with special needs and different learning abilities. Since Canada has done a lot in inclusive education and Maple Bear schools through its curriculum encourages a very child-centric approach. A session was devoted on using theatre as a medium in curriculum implementation. Peace Tree Film was screened which was directed and produced by Mitra Sen. The film centres around the theme of the need to create one festival that shared the roots of every culture and faith in order to unite people of diverse communities and encourage them to interact, celebrate, and create greater understanding among people of all backgrounds. June 1st in Canada was declared as Peace tree day. Through this convention it is expected that Maple Bear schools are inspired to be centres of learning that facilitate and nurture the development of young learners to be socially responsible and empathetic leaders of tomorrow who believe in peace and harmony.

At this convention Maple Bear launched its elementary school program starting with grade 1 this year upto grade 4.

Maple Bear Convention has been supported by Maxamec whose philosophy complements the Maple Bear philosophy of using experimentation and exploration as a technique for desired learning outcomes. Maxamec is a large size construction system, developed to stimulate the growth of the brain. Maxamec is designed to enhance motoric skills, mathematics, design, social skills and cooperation, room coordination, creativity and technical construction.

Highlights

Some of the topics covered included:

• A Keynote Address by Ashok Pandey, Principal, Ahlcon International School, New Delhi on Role/Importance of Pre School Education in the education system today.

• Importance of Physical activity for pre scholars in total development of a child" by Bindu Pathirisseri, (Bachelor's And Masters Degree in Physical Education. Teaching Physical education for 14 years).

• Case Study Presentation by Maple Bear Jalandhar by Gurjot Khera/ Amanpreet Khera

• Case Study Presentation: Maple Bear Early Learning Centre, Indirapuram, by Neeraj Prasad

• Role of schools in supporting community needs with special reference to the experience of a half way home in Kolkatta "Paripurnta" by Dr. Joyce Siromoni (Psychiatrist), Director, Paripurnta

• Maple Bear intranet and importance of communication by Ms. Hazel Siromoni

• Theatre in Education by Mr. Sukhesh, Yellow Cat

For further queries please Contact: Ms. Hazel Siromoni, VP, CECN Global Schools
Email: hazel.siromoni@maplebear.ca