EDUCATION FOR LIFE RESOURCES FOR INDIA
Updated 1 September 2022
Queries about updating may be sent to info@edforlife.in
THE EFL INTERNATIONAL WEB SITE: https://edforlife.org/
Comprehensive information about EFL for educators and parents worldwide, including articles and videos on EFL topics; courses and conferences; and links to EFL schools on three continents.
THE EFL INDIA WEB SITE: https://edforlife.in/
Under construction as of this update, but soon will have many resources for India … such as dates of training offered in India; upcoming events; and information about India’s EFL school (both online and in-person) based in Pune, and children’s programmes.
PUBLICATIONS
EFL publications are available in paperback in many bookstores around India, but the easiest way to get them is through either Ananda Sangha Publications or Amazon India. The first source is less expensive because it is the publisher of EFL books in India, whereas Amazon India imports its stock of EFL books from the USA. However, Amazon India frequently offers the books in much cheaper Kindle format as well.
In the USA, the purchasing choices are Crystal Clarity, the publisher of EFL books in America, or Amazon US, where much cheaper Kindle versions are frequently offered as well.
EDUCATION FOR LIFE: PREPARING CHILDREN TO MEET TODAY’S CHALLENGES (2nd edition)
The ‘EFL Bible’, authored by J. Donald Walters (Swami Kriyananda), co-founder of Education for Life. It is now available in Hindi translation as well as English.
- English
- Available through Ananda Sangha Publications
- Also available on Amazon India, but at much higher cost — as is true of most other EFL publications purchased there as well (Kindle edition also available):
- Hindi
- Available through Ananda Sangha Publications
- Not available through Amazon India
Free download of the next two books is available at the web site below, which the authors encourage
because of its direct links to EFL school activities and events. The books may also be read in their entirety there.
http://livingwisdomschool.org/academics-living-wisdom-school/
HEAD & HEART: HOW A BALANCED EDUCATION NURTURES HAPPY CHILDREN WHO EXCEL IN ACADEMICS AND LIFE
A multifaceted account of EFL as applied at one of EFL’s most successful schools (Palo Alto, California), co-authored by three longtime EFL educators (George Beinhorn, Helen Purcell, and Gary McSweeney).
Not available through Ananda Sangha Publications.
HAPPINESS & SUCCESS AT SCHOOL : A MAGNIFICENT SYNERGY
‘Answering parents’ questions about the surprising connections between happiness and success in the classroom. How positive feelings and individual attention nurture high achievement in the early grades, in high school and college, and for all of life.’
Co-authored by the same EFL educators as for the book above.
Not available through Ananda Sangha Publications.
Available through Amazon India (but currently no Kindle edition)
THE ROAD TO MATURITY: A GUIDEBOOK FOR EDUCATION FOR LIFE TEACHERS
Authored by EFL co-founder Nitai Deranja and longtime EFL teacher Irene Schulman, a guide to help teachers apply six major skills to successfully implement the EFL approach: entering the child’s world; clarifying awareness through meditation; assessing student consciousness; providing effective guidance; choosing curriculum to meet students’ needs; and cooperating with natural law so as to encourage learning from life.
Not available through Ananda Sangha Publications, but an electronic version can be purchased from EFL International
Not available through Amazon India.
The resource below and the next four after that are used in EFL in shaping children’s character and values.
LIFE SKILL ACTION CHARTS
A set of 15 charts created by EFL co-founder Nitai Deranja that can greatly help in fostering development of skills important to handle all areas of life. Each set comes with a guide for parents and teachers.
Available through Ananda Sangha Publications
Not available through Amazon India.
Extensive information about the charts and their use can be found at the EFL International Web site.
CALM AND COMPASSIONATE CHILDREN : A HANDBOOK
An excellent resource for developing character and universal values in children, especially centeredness and empathy. Author Susan (Usha) Dermond is a longtime EFL educator and EFL teacher trainer.
Not available through Ananda Sangha Publications.
Available through Amazon India (but currently no Kindle edition)
FOR GOODNESS’ SAKE: SUPPORTING CHILDREN AND TEENS IN DISCOVERING LIFE’S HIGHER VALUES
Another excellent resource for developing character and universal values in children, both very young ones and teens. Author Michael (Nitai) Deranja was co-founder of EFL.
Many of the activities in this book have been incorporated into EFL’s Life Skill Action Charts.
Available through Ananda Sangha Publications
Also available through Amazon India (paperback + Kindle)
I CAME FROM JOY! : SPIRITUAL AFFIRMATIONS AND ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN
Originally created by longtime EFL teacher Lorna Knox as a non-sectarian resource for those who help in developing children’s inner life in spiritual education programmes or at home, this resource is also used in secular classrooms. Although 5-11 is the targeted age range, the activities are adaptable for other ages as well.
Available through Ananda Sangha Publications
Also available through Amazon India (but currently no Kindle edition)
ANANDA YOGA FOR KIDS : AWAKENING CALMNESS, CONFIDENCE & JOY
A yoga book that goes much beyond the physical body. It beautifully explains the poses and their benefits for the ‘energy body’ and the ‘spiritual body’.
The author, Arathi Sabrina Giannò, has also provided 45 colour cards, each demonstrating one yoga pose.
Available through Ananda Sangha Publications
Not available through Amazon India.
OUT OF THE LABYRINTH : FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO BELIEVE, BUT CAN’T
A demonstration of the true compatibility of scientific and religious values, and how science and cherished moral values actually enrich and reinforce each other. Authored by J. Donald Walters (Swami Kriyananda),
co-founder of Education for Life. It was his wish that everyone involved with EFL be familiar with this book.
Available through Ananda Sangha Publications
Available through Amazon India but — very important — only in an earlier edition.
A Kindle version of the updated book is, however, available
Other EFL Resources
1. Children’s Music
EFL has many songs and chants written by its founder, J. Donald Walters (Swami Kriyananda), specifically for children, and several other Ananda members. All are ‘catchy’ as well as high in consciousness, loved by youngsters in children’s programmes and at home alike.
Ananda Sangha Publications also has many recordings of instrumental music by the same writer that are perfect for quiet time or uplifting background music, irrespective of listeners’ age.
I CAME FROM JOY! CD
Includes some of the songs suggested by the author of the book of the same title. They encourage happiness and self-worth in children throughout the pre-school and primary years. Words are included for the songs, as well as helpful suggestions on how to use this music effectively.
Available through Ananda Sangha Publications
Not available through Amazon India.
YOUNG ANANDA SONG & CHANT BOOK
A collection of many children’s songs and chants written by Swami Kriyananda and several other Anandans, as well as cherished camp songs from around the world.
And its companion resource:
YOUNG ANANDA GUIDE TO MUSICAL SELECTION, USE, & LISTENING LINKS
A guide to help music leaders, especially those in EFL, to work with the songs and chants in the above publication. Grouping of the songs and chants has been made according to type of music and their fit with children’s stages of maturity. Also included: online links for listening and learning.
Both publications available for free download at this page
Not available through Ananda Sangha Publications or Amazon India.
2. The Sharing Nature Programme
Sharing Nature Worldwide is a world-renowned nature education programme created by Ananda member Joseph (Bharat) Cornell. Its resources, which have won many awards, are widely used in EFL.
The programme’s Web site is a resource trove, including a blog; articles and videos; activities and games; and descriptions of a wide variety of Sharing Nature books and resources:
Sharing Nature resources of most value for EFL …
SHARING NATURE: NATURE AWARENESS ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES
The book that ‘sparked a worldwide revolution that connected millions of parents, educators, and children with nature’. A collection of Sharing Nature’s best-loved nature games for both children and adults.
Of particular interest for EFL is the book’s delineation of Flow Learning, an instructional strategy for engaging young learners in any new subject.
DEEP NATURE PLAY: GUIDE TO WHOLENESS, ALIVENESS, CREATIVITY, AND INSPIRED LEARNING
As the introduction points out, this book is for ‘…those who perhaps have forgotten how to play, or who wish to incorporate more play into their lives, and for educators who want to teach their subject matter with greater impact and inspiration.’
But the book is also ‘for parents and early childhood educators who desire to nourish and keep alive their children’s innate curiosity and playful spirit. Most of all … for those who want to touch and feel life deeply.’
FLOW LEARNING: OPENING HEART AND SPIRIT THROUGH NATURE
Flow Learning is an instructional process of relevance to all educators, not just nature educators, as a magnetic way to engage learners.
Anyone who has ever used Sharing Nature activities and followed the Flow Learning process will find Cornell’s latest book a revelation as to the depth and full potential of this teaching approach.
Not available through Ananda Sangha Publications.
Two other Sharing Nature books are also of relevance for EFL. Although for a somewhat more mature audience, much of what they offer can be adapted for children.
THE SKY AND EARTH TOUCHED ME: SHARING NATURE WELLNESS EXERCISES
Available through Ananda Sangha Publications:
Also available through Amazon India (Kindle edition also
available)
LISTENING TO NATURE: HOW TO DEEPEN YOUR AWARENESS OF NATURE (2nd edition)
Not available through Ananda Sangha Publications.
Available through Amazon India (but currently no Kindle
edition)