In an era where formal education heavily utilizes modern digital tools such as smart classrooms and computers, an elderly woman from Kerala demonstrated a simple and effective teaching method. She does not have expensive blackboards, nor do the children have notebooks and pens; instead, she teaches them to write letters in scattered sand. This charming approach has attracted public attention on social media.
The video, which went viral on social networks, shows how an elderly woman from Kerala, affectionately called Ashatti Ammumma, teaches young children. She brings a bucket of sand and spreads it on the ground. Then, she levels the sand with a small wooden stick to facilitate writing.
After a layer of sand is formed on the ground, she begins writing letters on it using the stick. The children sit in front of her and watch the process of writing letters attentively. Afterward, they try to reproduce these letters themselves with their fingers in the sand.
A distinctive feature of this video is that the children are not just watching but actively practicing creating letters independently. The woman first demonstrates the letters in the sand, and then the children repeat these letters with their fingers. Thus, they receive the necessary writing practice, and their interest in learning is maintained. Another advantage of writing in the sand is the ability to easily erase a wrongly written letter and write it again, eliminating the need for new notebooks or torn pages.
Despite the abundance of modern resources for primary education, this sand-writing method reminds people of older teaching methods. Previously, in many places, children were taught to write letters on the ground, clay, or sand. Ashatti Ammumma's approach proves that expensive materials are not always required to impart knowledge. It is important to explain the material correctly, allow children to practice independently, and teach them patiently.
After watching this video, people on social media praise this woman's teaching style. Some recall their own childhood experiences, while others note that expensive equipment is not necessary for learning. A good idea and the right way of presenting it can be very beneficial for children. Such videos also show that although teaching methods may change, explaining the material with love and giving children the opportunity to learn independently always remains paramount.
This grandmother's little school in Kerala wins hearts precisely because of this.