Sathya Sai Dynamic Value Parenting

A noteworthy educational project initiated by Sathya Sai Baba is called “Dynamic Value Parenting.” It is based on the premise that effective education is a partnership between the child, parent and the teacher since parents play a crucial role in molding the character of the child and the teacher requires the help and co-operation of the parent. Parenthood, however, does not come with an operating manual and quite often parents are left to learn by themselves by trial and error. With the noble aim of helping parents understand their inherent values and guide them to inculcate the same in their children, Sathya Sai Baba initiated the “Dynamic Value Parenting” program.

Dr. Pal Dhall and Dr. Tehseen Dhall of the Institute of Sathya Sai Education in Australia, who are followers of Sathya Sai Baba, have developed a Parent Training Program. The programme for ‘Sathya Sai Dynamic Value Parenting’ asks that parents become aware of their own and their child’s developmental needs and make a commitment to implement the five human values (Truth, Right Conduct, Love, Peace and Non-Violence) in their daily life.

This program was launched with Swami’s blessings on Guru Poornima day in 1998; In 1999 a workshop on Dynamic Value Parenting was conducted in Prashanthi Nilayam to train facilitators for the program. Mr. T. R. Pillay and Dr. T. V. Kumar attended this workshop from Canada. Since then, these two National facilitators have conducted training workshops for facilitators and Parenting workshops for parents, throughout Canada. The program is very well established in Canada and at present, it is being offered not only to parents in the Sai Organization but also to teachers and parents in public and private schools in Canada.

In essence, it is Sathya Sai Education in Human Values for Parents. It aims at providing parents hands-on practical tools to develop self-confidence, self-direction, love, selfless motives, and creating an awareness of what actions make the family strong, create peaceful environment.

Outline of Parent Training Program

  • Workshop 1: Human Life and Human Values
  • Workshop 2: How are the Parents suited to implement Education in Human Values?
  • Workshop 3: Family - What is happening in it?
  • Workshop 4: Parent Review
  • Workshop 5: Role of Parents in the Moral Development of the child
  • Workshop 6: Seizing opportunities for Teaching Human Values – The Teaching Moments
  • Workshop 7: Identifying dynamic, enabling and disabling processes in daily family life
  • Workshop 8: Human Value of Love: Spouse Bond – I
  • Workshop 9: Human Value of Love: Spouse Bond – II
  • Workshop 10: Human Value of Right Conduct – Empowering – I
  • Workshop 11: Human Value of Right Conduct – Empowering II
  • Workshop 12: Human Value of Peace: Family Time
  • Workshop 13: Human Value of Non-Violence: Communication – I
  • Workshop 14: Human Value of Non-Violence: Communication – II
  • Workshop 15: Human Value of Truth - Religious and spiritual beliefs, network of family and friends

The workshops are conducted by trained facilitators with skills and experience. The sessions are highly interactive and parents get the opportunity to discuss their concerns and arrive at solutions by themselves.

Benefits of the programme

"There is a saying "Life is a circus - you never know when it will turn upside down." Well it not only turned us upside down, it shook us all around as well. Amazingly, this is when the values blossomed from my children. From leading a life of luxury they faced hardship with absolute dignity and taught me the meaning of equilibrium. Patience, love, understanding, compassion were no longer just words but actions that helped us face many challenges we had to face."
— A Parent of SSE pupils in South Africa

Comments from parents in Canada

  • "Less tension at home, and more communication with children."
  • "The workshop has created a more calm and relaxed atmosphere at home."
  • "Learnt better ways of communicating to avoid conflicts and resentment in our relationships. Learnt to be good parents to our children and improve relationships in our family."
  • "Relationships (kids and spouse) have been improved and are going in a better trend."
  • "Every parent has to (should) attend these parenting workshops."