Learning Is Fun at Sunday School - PYDS Learning Academy

Sunday School is more than a place where children learn new things. It is a space where they discover, question, experience, and understand—while enjoying the process of learning.

Through stories, activities, discussions, games, creativity, and meaningful conversations, children are encouraged to look beyond the textbook and connect learning with everyday life. Each session becomes an opportunity to develop curiosity, confidence, kindness, responsibility, and a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.

We Learn — when we explore new ideas, ask questions, and discover something new.

We Understand — when learning moves beyond knowing facts and helps us make sense of life, relationships, values, and the world we live in.

We Grow — when our experiences shape our thoughts, strengthen our confidence, and help us become more responsible and compassionate individuals.

At Sunday School, learning is not about simply remembering—it is about experiencing, reflecting, and growing. Every Sunday brings a new opportunity to learn with joy, learn from one another, and carry something meaningful back into our lives.

We learn. We understand . We grow. And in the process, we discover the joy of learning.

My Good School, Sunday the 20th April 2025

 Sunday School # 185

📚 Session Summary: Learning Through Mistakes – A Bilingual Reading & Reflection Session

🗓️ Sunday School: To explore the value of learning from mistakes through a bilingual (English/Hindi) book reading and reflective discussion for students and teachers.

✨ Key Takeaways:

• Mistakes are stepping stones to growth and success.

• Reflection turns experience into meaningful learning.

• Students and teachers benefit from writing personal reflections.

• The My Good School initiative promotes inclusive, reflective learning.

📖 Topics Covered:

🔹 English Book Reading:

The Door-to-Door Bookstore by Carsten Henn

• Followed Karl Kohlhoff, a book deliverer who names customers after literary characters.

• Discussed themes of human connection, love for books, and quiet transformation.

🔹 Hindi Chapter Reading:

"Galti Karna, Kamiyon Ko Sudharna"

• Focused on accepting mistakes as a vital part of learning.

• Included inspiring stories of Gandhi and Edison.

• Explored how parents and teachers can nurture a growth mindset in children.

📝 Reflection Writing:

• Clarified the difference between reflections and comments.

• Shared real teacher reflections with drawings and emotions.

• Students were encouraged to write about personal experiences linked to the themes.

🌈 My Good School Initiative Highlights:

• Promotes an inclusive environment with weekly Sunday sessions.

• Brings together 50–100 participants via Zoom for interactive learning, and many more from larger rooms that screencast our sessions at school.

• Focuses on personal growth and lifelong learning through books and reflection.

✅ Next Steps:

• 📩 Students to send reflections to mk@learningforward.org.in

• 🧑‍🏫 Teachers' reflections for the Sunday School will also be posted on the Joy of Learning Blog

• 🌟 Join us next Sunday for a special session with guest Lina Ashar

• 🚀 Organisers to explore ways to grow while staying connected and reflective

✨ Reflection Questions from Chapter 3 "The Door-to-Door Bookstore" by Carsten Henn

📖 Chapter 3 Summary

In the first half of Chapter 3, we see the bond between Carl, the elderly bookseller, and Schascha, the curious young girl, begin to grow subtly. While Carl is set in his routines and hesitant about change, Schascha brings a fresh, unpredictable energy into his quiet world. Their interactions are filled with gentle tension and curiosity, hinting at a transformation waiting to unfold in Carl's life. The chapter reflects on loneliness, unexpected companionship, and how books can quietly bring people together.

1️⃣ Carl prefers a structured and quiet daily routine. However, Schascha's presence begins to disrupt this rhythm. This moment represents how meeting new people can feel uncomfortable, but also necessary for growth.

Question: Have you ever met someone who changed the way you think or feel, even if they were very different from you at first? What did that experience teach you?

2️⃣ Carl initially seems annoyed or confused by Schascha's questions and energy, but he doesn't push her away. Sometimes, the people we least expect bring the most significant changes to our lives.

Question: Why do you think Carl lets Schascha walk with him, even though he says little? What does that say about his character or his loneliness?

3️⃣ Books play an essential role in Carl's life—they are more than just stories to him.
Books can serve as bridges between people, especially those who struggle to connect otherwise.

Question: How do books help Carl communicate, even if he struggles with spoken words? Have you ever used a book to connect with someone else?

4️⃣ Carl and Schascha are from very different generations, yet there's a subtle bond forming. This connection suggests that friendship and understanding can grow beyond age or background.

Question: What do you think Carl might learn from Schascha, and what might she learn from him? Why is intergenerational friendship valuable?

5️⃣ As Carl continues his deliveries with Schascha nearby, his silent acceptance of her presence becomes meaningful. Sometimes, just allowing someone to "be there" is the first step toward trust and healing.

Question: What does Carl's quiet behaviour tell us about how people can show kindness without words? Can silence be a form of connection?

🌟 "Grow through what you go through – every thought, every reflection matters."