Children's Satsang Guidelines

The purpose of the Children's Satsang is for the kids to learn bhajans, enjoy together while learning some values, build friendships and have fun and for the parents to have social time together. The program is conducted at the home of a host family who makes arrangements for the session. First a no-dessert potluck dinner takes place, then one by one the children lead bhajans, aarati is offered by the host family, and a short values-oriented video, preferably an animation, is shown to the kids. (The absence of desserts keeps the children from eating sugar and getting over-active.) By having the chance to lead a bhajan, each child learns one new bhajan each time. The preference is for the kids to lead simpler bhajans that the other children can easily follow. These sessions are open to all families, including those not attending the Bala Kendra classes.

Some planning suggestions for the host family are:

1. One week before the satsang, send out an email to the Bala Kendra group requesting feedback on which families are attending and what potluck item will be provided by each guest family. Host family has minimal responsibility for food preparation. Please send the link to common bhajan document listed below in your email.
2. Two days before the satsang, send out a reminder about the program.
3. Arrange a room where some 20 kids and 20 adults can sit on the ground to do bhajans and prepare an altar and a lamp with pictures of Mother Saraswati and Amma. Prepare an aarati plate. Also, the host will have to arrange for an area to serve the potluck dinner.
4. Get a packet of Hersheys Kisses to allow each child to be rewarded immediately after leading a bhajan.
5. Plan to show a short animated video that the kids will enjoy and that has a good life message. Some of the videos shown have included Panchatantra, Disney Shows, Lav and Kush. The video should be no more than 30 minutes so families can depart at a reasonable time.

Recommended items to assign guest families for the no-dessert potluck are:

1. Dal
2. Rice
3. Vegetable Curry
4. Yogurt or Raita
5. Chapatti or Naan
6. Drinks
7. Fruit
8. Paper Products.

For other items, the host family should decide that the preparation fits the occasion. The goal is to provide a healthy meal for all.

Uploading Bhajans :

Please update this common document with the bhajan your child plans to sing.  This will help us to organize the event , avoid duplicate bhajans and also save some paper !

Children's Satsang Bhajan Document

Please contact Sudhir Aggarwal at aggarwal3@gmail.com if you have questions.