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Kerala grandmother, 85, teaches children with sand and stick for a decade

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The instructional method covers Malayalam, Hindi, English, and mathematics through direct observation and tactile repetition. By utilizing a smoothed layer of sand, pupils can effortlessly erase and correct their mistakes without wasting paper or depending on electronic devices. This practice draws directly from Kerala's historical Aashan Kalari traditions and the Vijayadashami Ezhuthiniruthu initiation ceremony. Although not meant to replace traditional books, the routine serves as an effective, low-cost complement to modern schooling.

Key points

  • The instruction serves as a cost-effective complement to formal schooling without relying…: The instruction serves as a cost-effective complement to formal schooling without relying on digital learning tools.
  • This teaching format revives historical regional traditions like the Aashan Kalari system…: This teaching format revives historical regional traditions like the Aashan Kalari system and the Ezhuthiniruthu initiation ceremony.
  • An Instagram video highlighting the eight-decade-old educator's Alappuzha lessons has bro…: An Instagram video highlighting the eight-decade-old educator's Alappuzha lessons has brought widespread public attention to her work.

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There are no notebooks, pencils or blackboards in Indira Amma's classroom. Instead, an elderly woman spreads a layer of sand on the ground, smooths it with a small stick and begins writing letters for children sitting in front of her. They watch her movements and then use their own fingers to trace the same shapes in the sand.

At 85, Indira Amma from Kerala is still teaching young children through this traditional method. For nearly a decade, she has been helping them learn Malayalam, Hindi, English and mathematics using little more than sand and a stick.

As reported by The Better India, she teaches at the Temple of English School, where children gather around her to practise writing. Known affectionately as Ashaatti Ammumma, she has continued using a method that connects early learning with Kerala's traditional educational practices.

A video of her teaching, shared on Instagram by the account Mom of Safachiiii went viral all over the social media recently. The video shows her preparing the sandy surface and demonstrating letters to the children. As she writes, the children follow…

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