The No Name School curriculum is designed to gently introduce young learners to Bhutanese identity, Buddhist values, and life skills through age-appropriate, thematic learning. The following units reflect our initial structure, beginning with foundational practices and gradually expanding into deeper teachings through stories, songs, discussions, and playful activities.
Preliminary Stage (Foundation Level)
This stage is specially designed for younger children or newcomers to gently ease into the school environment. Focus is placed on:
- Learning how to sit, listen, and participate in a group
- Simple daily prayers and offering rituals
- Understanding symbols like Buddha images, prayer flags, stupas, etc.
- Developing comfort, joy, and curiosity in a warm, respectful setting
Core Learning Themes
1. Harmony
This theme focuses on relationships—learning to live in peace with others, resolving small conflicts, and building a supportive classroom community. Children practice cooperation, empathy, and forgiveness through group activities and stories.
2. Taking Refuge
Children learn about the Three Jewels—Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha—and what it means to take refuge in them. These lessons are simplified to suit different ages and include visual aids, stories, and role play to foster understanding and reverence.
3. Mindfulness
This unit introduces simple mindfulness practices such as breathing, listening, walking, and eating. The focus is on helping children slow down, observe their inner world, and become more present, calm, and thoughtful in their actions.
4. Bhutan
This unit introduces children to the cultural essence of Bhutan—its language, symbols, dress, festivals, and everyday life. Through songs, stories, drawing, and role play, children learn about their roots and develop a sense of pride and belonging.
5. Ahimsa
Ahimsa, or non-violence, is taught as the foundation of kind and ethical living. Children explore how to avoid harm in speech, action, and thought—toward people, animals, and the environment—through real-life examples and reflective games.
6. Bodhicitta
This unit gently introduces the idea of developing a kind heart for the benefit of all beings. Through stories of compassion and simple practices, children begin to recognize the joy in helping others and the strength in being caring and selfless.
7. Cause and Effect
Here, the principle of karma is explored in child-friendly ways. Through storytelling and fun experiments, children understand how actions have consequences, and how making good choices leads to peace, happiness, and trust.
8. Impermanence
Using the natural world, changing seasons, and everyday examples, this theme helps children understand the reality of change and transition. It supports emotional resilience and gentle acceptance of growth, loss, and renewal.
9. Lingdro
An introduction to the Ling Gesar epic through storytelling, chanting, and performance. This theme brings alive Bhutan’s rich spiritual folklore while fostering cultural pride, rhythm, confidence, and group celebration.