NURTURING THE AATMAN: THE ROLE OF SOUND EDUCATION AND INDIAN PHILOSOPHICAL VALUES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT THROUGH WHOLENESS CURRICULUM

The Wholeness Curriculum for Early Childhood Care and Education [ECCE] is considered to be an approach that is holistic and focuses on the self-development of the learner, which as per the Indian Knowledge System [IKS], is known as Aatman and the very existence and its interconnectedness. The research’s acute focus on cognitive and experiential learning components tries to bring balance by developing a framework drawn by mixing conventional philosophy with the modern teaching pedagogy of the Indian knowledge system. Samskara, the mental disposition emphasises the formulation of a child's persona through exposure to introspective learning and through observation. The journey of wisdom and Aatman through the interconnectedness are elaborated in IKS. In addition to academic knowledge, IKS is very much relevant and in line with the need for education that empowers young minds with moral, social, and spiritual values. Literature about Moksha (state of liberation), Karma (the governing laws of deeds and actions), and Dharma (the way of life) the Wholeness Curriculum develops a learner into a culturally-rooted global citizen. The curriculum covers all fundamental elements of Indian knowledge systems, the ancient art of storytelling, yoga, meditation, music, painting, sound education and experiential learning; that helps learners develop their inner persona, emotional intelligence, and sense of interconnectedness. This research study is conducted by gathering secondary data sources, namely Indian scriptures, smriti, research on Indian education, and early childhood best practices, to affirm the impact of the suggested model. The multidisciplinary approach aims at promoting the need by incorporating cultural customs while meeting the needs of rapidly changing pedagogies in early childhood care and education.