For the children gathered around her, a patch of sand becomes their first writing book, and their fingers become pencils. At 85, Indira Amma from Kerala is introducing young learners to the world of letters through a traditional method passed down through generations.
For the past decade, she has reportedly been teaching children Malayalam, Hindi, English, and mathematics using this humble approach. Instead of beginning with notebooks and pencils, she lets children trace letters in sand, helping them become familiar with the alphabet through touch and practice.
Her method draws on Kerala’s tradition of Ezhuthiniruthu, a ceremony that marks a child’s introduction to learning. Traditionally associated with Vijayadashami, the ritual involves guiding children to trace their first letters in rice or sand. The act symbolises the beginning of their educational journey.
An endearing glimpse of this tradition shows Ashaatti Ammumma patiently teaching hindi alphabets to young children at the Temple of English School. As the children follow along, each letter becomes an opportunity to learn through practice, guided by her gentle approach.
For young children, learning to recognise and write letters takes patience and repetition. Tracing them in sand offers an experiential way to understand their shapes, allowing little learners to practise each movement as they grow more confident.
What makes this approach special is how it connects everyday learning with a tradition strongly rooted in Kerala’s cultural heritage. At a time when classrooms are embracing digital tools, it is a reminder that learning need not always begin with a screen or expensive resources.
Sometimes, all it takes is a handful of sand, someone willing to guide a child’s hand, and the time to let them learn at their own pace. Through this practice, Indira Amma is helping keep a traditional way of learning alive while giving young children a meaningful start to their educational journeys.
