Young Innovators Foundation (YIF)

Young Innovators Foundation (YIF) Being young does not depend on the number of years one has lived, but on the capacity to grow and progress. Let's Explore, Create and Innovate!

Our aim is to create empowering spaces for the children of our world to be able to unlock their true potential and share their gifts with the world with utmost grace, ease and efficiency. To grow is to increase ones potentialities, ones capacities; to progress is to make constantly more perfect the capacities that one already possesses. We at Young Innovators Foundation (YIF) facilitate growth and

progress. So come join us to look at things from a fresh perspective, to add a twist, to do something different every day, tread a unique path, a new way!

Master Chef Tumni Pada, Team Version :) 3 Teams, 3 food challenges, lots of fun and learning!
20/04/2025

Master Chef Tumni Pada, Team Version :)

3 Teams, 3 food challenges, lots of fun and learning!

NOVEMBER CELEBRATIONS⭐️ New Cupboard: The schoolhouse got a new Cupboard! Yayy!! Thank you to two of YIF’s angel friends...
03/12/2024

NOVEMBER CELEBRATIONS

⭐️ New Cupboard: The schoolhouse got a new Cupboard! Yayy!! Thank you to two of YIF’s angel friends for making this happen for the Balwadi and the children. (You know who you are :)) Now their resources have a dedicated space and place to rest. They are also learning to take care of their resources anew. A big shout out to the volunteers who helped set up the new organisation system and also those who continue to receive donations and help sort them so children can have access to abundant resources.

⭐️Creative Flow: There was new creative flow that began to unlock within the space holders and children in November. They each opened themselves to new levels of challenge, collaboration and creativity. Volunteer teachers first - they collaborated with each other and a sister NGO to help maintain continuity for the children. This meant learning to improvise, trust themselves and each other so that the sessions being designed for the children could be meaningful and valuable. The children - especially the older ones participated in sessions and activities that helped them stretch out of their comfort zone. They are trying new things! And some might say the journey might just be as important as the destination itself. ;)

We are celebrating small wins that are always shaping big things to come. Wishing you all a great December and a blessed close to the year 2024!

DOG AND THE BONE ~ and learning opportunities and some variations to try out with children. :) 🦴This game is traditional...
13/10/2024

DOG AND THE BONE ~ and learning opportunities and some variations to try out with children. :)

🦴This game is traditional game also known as…

•Steal the Bacon
•Steal the Flingsock
•Rumaal Jhappatta
•Rumaal Chori
•Rumaal Daav
•Steal the Handkerchief
and other names…

🦴Learning opportunities for children..

•to play on a team/ on a side (while standing in a line parallel to the opposing team‘s line)
•to be alert, attentive and ready
•to listen and reach for a goal
•to be agile and grab the item without being tagged or tag the opponent if they grabbed the item
•to meet another player or to encounter another person in a game
•to leave a safe zone (usually a line behind which they are standing) and learn to go out, play and come right back

Most traditional games have the possibility for variations to step up the level of challenge or to step down the level of challenge. As a teacher you can think of a few variations beforehand.

🦴Some Variations:
•call out numbers using mathematical operations such as 5+3-2
•call out 2 (or more) numbers at the same time and let the members from the same team toss the item to each other after picking it up while they make their way back to the safety zone.
•full contact version for teenagers or adults could allow the opponent to prevent the person carrying the item to crouch back into the safety zone.

✨Games played in a CIRCLE have a different impact and teaching opportunities than games played in PARALLEL LINES. It’s best to doesn’t sometime as a teacher or an adult on what you would like to bring as learning opportunities for children and choose your games accordingly.

Save this post for later if you’d like to revisit the learning opportunities or try out the variations with your children or with anyone really. :) Have fun!

CONDITIONS TO CREATE A SPACE FOR GROWTH & LEARNING ✅LOVE: Cultivate a loving space, within and without ✅SINCERITY: Since...
30/09/2024

CONDITIONS TO CREATE A SPACE FOR GROWTH & LEARNING

✅LOVE: Cultivate a loving space, within and without

✅SINCERITY: Sincerity in preparation and presence

✅ INTEREST: Interest in learning, in the subject and the student itself

When all of the above exist, children much like a seed can be supported to learn and grow, to blossom!

In some ways, children are like little saplings, not to be pressured but rather be supported with the conditions that can naturally assist them in being who they are. Like a seed, they have the divine intelligence within themselves, so how can we as teachers show up to maintain the health of the soil, water and other things around them so their divine intelligence may be expressed and realised?

————-

This week, the little ones were introduced to a true story- "A boy who grew a forest”. A story of a young boy called Jadav Payeng, who grew a mighty and bustling forest through his sheer love, will, effort, protection, and care.

After listening to the story of how he started with 20 bamboo saplings and went on to plant an entire forest, the children sat to draw. They drew the most beautiful forests with rainbows and peacocks, rivers and clouds. (Their imagination was exquisite, based on which they brought some of it down on paper)

By the end of the class when (their teacher) shared that they will each get to plant one plant next week…they replied, 'but didi he planted an entire forest…so why are we going to plant only one plant each? 😀'

If you’d like to check out the story to share with your children here’s the link- https://youtu.be/XoMXeo7E8xk?feature=shared

THE SEEDS GREW Last week, children were inspired by the main character from their nature story and dropped some seeds in...
23/09/2024

THE SEEDS GREW

Last week, children were inspired by the main character from their nature story and dropped some seeds in the soil following in his footsteps. They also carefully planted a handful of seeds and were patiently waiting 7 days to share their observations. The children noticed that the seeds that were simply dropped onto the soil had some growth to them. But the seeds that had been diligently planted definitely grew taller.

Yet again, it was one of those days where the older children felt a gravitational pull to the younger children‘s class! Just like we say compliments to the chef when a meal is good, we want to say "complements to the class captains / teachers" and for holding space in a nourishing and loving way! The children definitely felt magnetised to the space like bees to a luscious flower.

CONNECTING WITH NATURE For the past several weeks the younger ones have been listening to nature stories, going on natur...
17/09/2024

CONNECTING WITH NATURE

For the past several weeks the younger ones have been listening to nature stories, going on nature walks and exploring different elements of Mother Nature.

This Sunday, one of the students reported to (their teacher) about how his brother stamped a frog… and then certain other children observed certain other children in the village plucking some plant life…all that to say that they have started paying attention to what is going on within the plant and animal world around them and are now noting these things to share with their dear teacher.☺️

They are also patiently waiting this week to see what is going to happen to the two sets of seeds - one that they intentionally planted into a pot and the other that they simply dropped onto the soil like the main character in the recent nature story they heard. We are also not entirely sure what’s going to happen to the different set of seeds, but the children have marked all the spots they want to return to and look at after the 7 days have passed.

It’s a heart warming process and a gift to hold space for nature discovery with children who are literally seeing things unfold for the first time through the wonder and innocence in their eyes.

MAY GOD WITHIN EACH ONE OF US BE VICTORIOUS जय देव, जय देव जय मंगलमूर्ती|दर्शनमात्रे मन कामना पुरती ॥धृ॥This Ganesh Chat...
08/09/2024

MAY GOD WITHIN EACH ONE OF US BE VICTORIOUS

जय देव, जय देव जय मंगलमूर्ती|
दर्शनमात्रे मन कामना पुरती ॥धृ॥

This Ganesh Chathurthi, YIF wishes you…

✨Knowledge (Fuelled by inner knowing)
✨Wisdom (Earned from the knowledge applied)
✨Prosperity (Based on your heart’s truest wishes)

May this Ganesh Utsav help you unlock more of Gannu’s magic within you, ans help embody more of his reflection in your own life if that’s what you are choosing.🌺

Happy Ganesh Chathurthi!

Clues and listening to the little things. Children share clues all the time about their interests and the skills they ar...
26/08/2024

Clues and listening to the little things.

Children share clues all the time about their interests and the skills they are wanting to cultivate, the question is are we listening?

Every child is unique and is here to walk their own path. Very often, adults think they know the best path for a child without having truly engaged or listened to them.

Recently, our little ones started exploring nature stories and nature observation walks. The striking thing was that our older children studying the concept of "pressure" didn’t consciously know what was going to happen in the class lesson for the younger children, but somehow they magically sensed that it was going to be something interesting. So on the day of the first nature walk, the older lot ditched their own lesson to join the younger ones on their nature walk. 😌

Somethings to reflect on:

▫️Were the older children just trying to be difficult or naughty that day?
▫️Why were children senior in class experience wanting to attend a class for juniors?
▫️What about the class the older children chose to attend was drawing them in? Was it the outdoors? Was it the teacher? Was it nature?

When we pay attention, and ask the right questions, children can teach us what they want to learn and how. Honour the clues

…when do the children become restless?
…when do the children quiet down?
…when do the children forget about time?
…when do they remember something you shared when do they forget?
…when do they want to continue and learn more vs when do they want to stop or give up?

Pay attention to the little things, they go a long way in knowing how to play a meaningful part in the development of our children. 🤍

🙏THANK YOU ✨ DHANYAWAAD 🙏If you had anything to do with building of the recent Tumni Pada Balwadi, take a heartfelt mome...
07/07/2024

🙏THANK YOU ✨ DHANYAWAAD 🙏

If you had anything to do with building of the recent Tumni Pada Balwadi, take a heartfelt moment to receive the love and gratitude the children are expressing through their artwork! This Sunday, they invested their creativity into saying thank you for all the kindness and generosity that was offered so they could have their lovey balwadi space..here’s a thank you to all the Didis, Bhaiyas, Kakas, Kakis, Aunties, Uncles, Sansthas (organizations), Friends, Family and Community.😀❤️

🗒️Quick Update: They have started learning at their new space and are enjoying it very much.😇

TUMNI PADA BALWDI REBUILD AND DREAMSChildren and volunteers came together in a circle to envision the ribbon cutting day...
23/06/2024

TUMNI PADA BALWDI REBUILD AND DREAMS

Children and volunteers came together in a circle to envision the ribbon cutting day for the Tumni Pada Balwadi.
They also tapped into and shared their hopes, ideas, wishes, possibilities, imagination and dreams for the space.

What a treat it is to see the potential of a space through our unique lens and through each other’s eyes! Now it’s time to let those visions gestate. Thank you for holding space with love for this process to unfold. 🤍

THANK YOU for your contributions and for showing up to support in times of need.✨

We are at 78% of our fundraising goal as of when this post is being made. If you feel called to support the remaining 22%, the details are in the pinned post on our profile. Dhanyawaad.🙏

SUPPORT TUMNI PADA SCHOOLHOUSE TO BE RE-BUILTDear Friends and Fam, As you may know YIF has been running a Schoolhouse (B...
17/06/2024

SUPPORT TUMNI PADA SCHOOLHOUSE TO BE RE-BUILT

Dear Friends and Fam,

As you may know YIF has been running a Schoolhouse (Balwadi) at Tumni Pada, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali, Mumbai since 2011. It is a simple and humble structure where the children of Tumni Pada study and play regularly.

Recently there was an unexpected storm in Mumbai, the Schoolhouse’s foundation was severely damaged on that night. Last Thursday, the already damaged pillars collapsed when a group of monkeys jumped on the roof of the Schoolhouse. Luckily no children were inside when this happened.

The village community has come together to promptly re-build the school before the full onset of monsoons in Mumbai. YIF along with are supporting the villagers to have the necessary materials in a timely manner. Do you want to help in rebuilding this sacred space for the children of Tumni Pada?

We are fundraising Rupees 88,000/- to support expedited construction of the Schoolhouse. The money will be spent on building materials and labour. If you feel aligned with supporting this goal, here is how you can contribute:

✨GPay:

Send your contribution to 9930699586 and then send a message on Gpay itself with your Full Name, Address, Pan Card Number, mention that the payment was made for the Tumani Pada Balwadi.

✨Via bank transfer:

Account Name: Young Innovators Foundation
Account Number: 60085313665
IFSC code: MAHB0001187
Name of Bank: Bank of Maharashtra
Branch Address: Thakur Village, Kandivali (East), Mumbai: 4000101.
Along with your contribution, state your Full Name, Address, Pan Card Number, mention that the payment was made for the Tumni Pada Balwadi and drop a message or whatsapp to 9930699586.
——————

The children have already started collecting gravel for their new Balwadi…if you’re planning to join them in fulfilling this goal then, thank you in advance from YIF, Tumni Pada children and the community for sharing your abundance, blessings and love for this project!

With Gratitude,
Team YIF

P.S: We will share fundraising status updates in the comments section below ❤️

Handmade Up-Cycled Table Lamp They created their own table lamps with - take away plastic containers, water bottles, a p...
28/05/2024

Handmade Up-Cycled Table Lamp

They created their own table lamps with - take away plastic containers, water bottles, a pvc pipe and simple electrical components.😀 Oh, the joy of creating!

Address

Mumbai

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 7pm
Tuesday 10am - 7pm
Wednesday 10am - 7pm
Thursday 10am - 7pm
Friday 10am - 7pm
Saturday 10am - 7pm
Sunday 12pm - 7pm

Telephone

9930699586

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