Here are some testimonials from students.

I came to Kindilan Academy with the intent of doing only the Playgroup Teacher Training Programme, and with the idea of wanting to set up my own centre based on modules that I wanted to incorporate. I also ended up upgrading to doing the Early Childhood Teacher Training Course.

The learnings from Kanika comes truly from her intent, and she connects personally with what we are seeking.  Kanika made me delve deeper into connecting with my philosophy , which paved way to the birth of my virtual centre ANANDALAYA, where I work on curating experiences for instilling values in children and adults. I actually came into the course with the intent to work with kids, but later as I travelled through creating my vision and mission statements, I realised I wanted to include adults as well as part of my centre. 

Since 2022, I have been offering talks and workshops on 'Values & Gratitude' to adults and kids via online platform. I am invited to institutions to address college students face-to-face on the importance of Values. 

The handwork we did really strengthened my will to work further on my goals. Deepest gratitude to Kanika for guiding me through. Kindilan Academy is a place where you can reconnect to yourself, find your purpose and vision as an educator and realise your goals with confidence. 

Vahini-2020 - 2023

Deep Roots  Kindergarten - Chenai

As her student, I not only learned about working with children but, was also awakened to deal with myself in seeking my destined work. The teacher appears when the student is ready... This was very true in my case... She appeared at the right time to lift me and support me in every way in starting my center, and also in finding my purpose in life.

Sujatha - 2019 - 2020

Hi, I am Shrishtee, a homemaker and mother of a seven-year- old. At our home, we follow gentle and peaceful parenting practices and my journey with Kindilan and Kanika teacher started with wanting to know how to create this space for a larger audience. The course was an introduction to the magical world of stories, play, and community and technical aspects of running a space as a group leader. 

Kanika with her expert narrative from running a space for Children in Australia gave us insights into how a loving space is created, what are the elements and pillars and how operations are run, and most importantly; how we strive for the humanness that makes us worthy of our children. What we have taken from this as a family is the importance of storytelling which is now a part of our weekly rhythm. 

Thankful to kanika teacher and Kindilan Academy for bringing this to parents like me. 

Testimonial  Shrishtee Manral-2019

My journey with Kindilan Academy started in the year 2018 with playgroup training and continued with an intense kindergarten training program. I was given the opportunity to take up the teacher training 3 year internship with Kindilan Academy; the training entailed mentoring aspiring teachers in course work, and conduct workshops in handwork and Eurythmy during my training period. 

During the course and the mentoring period I learned more about myself, my own perspectives, and my purpose. Kanika’s consistent guidance and support have helped me grow tremendously as a teacher trainer and a better human being.

My discovery of working with parents and children, handwork, and circle time movement led me to take up 2 years of professional Waldorf handwork teachers training and 6 years of Eurythmy training.

In 2022 I established 'Vilvam Community Center' conducting parent-child handwork sessions at Vilvam, and Ragi Kana (a community hub for rural artisans and Sunday santhe).

I currently am a permanent teaching faculty member at Kindilan Academy, teach Eurythmy at Abheek Academy and offer workshops at various community events.

Testimonial 2018 - 2023

Kanika’s Testimonial by Ramessh R.K.-2018

At times life presents us with unforgettable, special people that uplift us. Kanika is one such person. 

I attended her kindergarten module offered at a Steiner Teacher Training course and have attended her workshop on Inner Work for Educators.  

What stood out is her strong, warm-hearted presence and lucid communication skills.  Her innovative, passionate content delivery made it clear that she was doing what she loved. I discovered later that she is also an earnest spiritual seeker which explains the power behind what she does. 

Thank you for making a difference Dear Kanika. May God bless you in every endeavor!

Testimonial from Sydney - Australia

2012

From our first visit to Sampora Child care we were very impressed with the space created by the operator. Each room was lovingly set up for small people, so that they felt safe and could explore and play as they were inclined. Among a huge variety of beautiful and thoughtful toys  were included collections of blocks and cupboard knobs which were used in ingeniously creative ways by the children in the course of their play. For example, we saw the timber cupboard knobs being used as mushrooms, machine buttons, money, fruit in a play shop and just as objects to create patterns, fences and paths with.

As part of the rhythm of each day our child was engaged in activities that had a sense of purpose that mimicked adult chores. These activities were called service and we feel that they helped to develop team work, learn fine motor skills and also develop important character traits like perseverance and a sense of accomplishment. Service activities might be sorting dried beans from dried rice, picking parsley leaves from stalks, polishing furniture, folding napkins. As a result of these activities we witnessed our child be more aware of chores at home and not just assisted in completing them but also completed them with a gentle awareness to detail and intent. I feel this is different from how she learns chores from us, as parents we are often rushing from one chore to the next, not being in the moment with each task. This has made me try to slow down and pay attention to what I am doing.

While each day had a rhythm to it there was plenty of opportunity for children to direct their own play.

We found that we could discuss issues with the educator that we were having with our daughter, for example behavioural issues, and she would gently introduce these through story telling so that the concepts could be explored and resolved.

Through mimicking the educator our daughter started telling stories using toys as props. We feel her ability to tell a story was greatly enhanced because she had watched and listen to so many at the preschool and also had an opportunity to practice telling her own stories. Now that she is in Kindergarten we see her confidence at speaking in front of groups and are sure that it is at least partly influenced by these early opportunities to present to a group.

The curriculum was cantered on the seasons and I found my daughter’s growing awareness of the changes in nature enhanced my own awareness of the changes. Through the outdoor play she was able to connect to the natural environment and learn valuable attention to detail and appreciation of the beauty in nature.

The rhythm of the day meant that our daughter was comfortable knowing what was expected of her each day. The rhythm allowed for fun frolicking outside, singing, quiet play, meals, rest and more outside play. Within this rhythm our daughter was able to use a degree of choice in what she played based on her interests of the time. I think this taught her that there is time for wild play, time for quite play, time for careful activities, time for food, time for rest. That it is important to have all of these in your day to create balance in your life. We could all learn from this!

All of these wonderful opportunities for learning and self development were made even more special by the fantastic care, love and dedication that the educator brought to the facility. She modelled joy, love and consistency for the children. We feel very blessed to have had her in our lives.

Anna Murray and David Lowe

2012