Panchakosha and Pre-School Children: A Holistic Approach to Early Childhood Education

Abstract : The paper explores how the traditional Indian idea of Panchakosha can be used in modern preschool instruction. The Taittiriya Upanishad’s Panchakosha framework describes five levels of human existence: the physical body (Annamaya Kosha), the energy body (Pranamaya Kosha), the mental body (Manomya Kosha), the intellectual body (Vijnanamaya Kosha), and the happy body (Anandamaya Kosha). Panchakosha highlights how each child’s physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects are interconnected, going beyond the conventional emphasis on just cognitive development.Teachers may create a comprehensive and supportive learning environment by incorporating Panchakosha ideas into preschool curricula. This method aims to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the child as a whole, going beyond memorization and standardized testing. In addition to encouraging cognitive development, activities can be created to improve a child’s emotional intelligence through social-emotional learning activities, develop a feeling of wonder and connectedness to the world around them, and fuel their energy through movement and mindfulness exercises.This holistic approach is in line with the developing understanding in early childhood education that a child’s overall growth and development depend on the fostering of their physical, emotional, social, and cognitive well-being. By going beyond the conventional emphasis on just cognitive development, Panchakosha highlights the interdependence of each child’s physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects.