Barefoot Souls
A self directed democratic setting for 6 to 11 years old in Goa, India.
Barefoot Souls aims to be a nurturing community where kids are empowered to pursue their passions and interests in a self-directed manner taking charge of their own learning, fostering independence, responsibility, and a lifelong love of learning. A place where kids can explore, learn, and grow.
Barefoot Souls
A self directed democratic setting for 6 to 11 years old in Goa, India.
Barefoot Souls aims to be a nurturing community where kids are empowered to pursue their passions and interests in a self-directed manner taking charge of their own learning, fostering independence, responsibility, and a lifelong love of learning. A place where kids can explore, learn, and grow.
Cultivating a life long love of learning and helping our children feel confident and empowered to act on their passions is the foundation of Barefoot Souls.
VALUES
FREEDOM: We believe in the freedom for people to choose what, how, and when they learn.
INNOVATION: We are committed to innovative approaches to education that challenge traditional methods and inspire new ways of thinking.
RESPECT: We value each individual’s voice and ensure that everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
COMMUNITY: We foster a sense of community where students, staff, and parents collaborate and support one another.
RESPONSIBILITY: We encourage students to take responsibility for their learning and their actions, preparing them for life.
The importance of play
Natural Learning Mechanism
Play is how children naturally learn about the world. Through play, they explore, experiment, and understand their surroundings in a hands-on way. It allows them to develop cognitive, emotional, and social skills without the formal structure of traditional education.
Physical Development
Active play promotes physical health by improving motor skills, coordination, and overall fitness. It helps children develop strength and agility while also supporting brain development through physical activity.
Essential for Mental Health
Play is vital for reducing stress and promoting well-being. Unstructured playtime gives children the freedom to unwind and express themselves, helping them cope with challenges and emotions.
Fosters Creativity and Problem-Solving
Play is open-ended, giving children the freedom to imagine new possibilities and solve problems in creative ways. When children invent their own games or navigate social interactions during play, they develop critical thinking and innovative problem-solving skills.
Encourages Independence and Confidence
In free play, children make their own choices, face challenges, and learn from mistakes. This autonomy helps build their confidence and a sense of control over their environment, fostering independence.
Develops Social and Emotional Skills
Through play, children learn to interact with others, take turns, share, negotiate, and handle conflicts. It teaches them empathy, emotional regulation, and the ability to cooperate—skills essential for building healthy relationships.
Barefoot Souls Meetings
The Barefoot Souls Meeting is the primary governing body where students and staff collaboratively decide the day-to-day operations of the school, including rules, budgeting, hiring, and conflict resolution. Held regularly, typically weekly, these meetings allow anyone in the community to propose changes or address issues.
Students experience real-life democracy, learning to debate, express opinions, and resolve disputes constructively. The meetings emphasize equality, with students’ voices carrying the same weight as those of staff. This democratic approach not only builds a peaceful and cooperative community but also prepares students for active participation in broader democratic systems.
A possible day at Barefoot Souls
9:00 – 9:30 Flexible drop of
9:30 Circle time
10:00 – 10:45 Workshops or self-directed learning time.
10:45 – 11:15 Snack time
11:15 – 12:00 Workshops or self-directed learning time.
12:00 – Lunch.
13:00 – Workshops or self-directed learning time.
14:00 – 14:30 Open learning time
14:30 Tidy up time
14:45 Closing circle
15:00 – End of the school day.
* A school meeting will be held at least every Tuesday
Flexibility is key. Activities might take place in the woods, fields, or classrooms, and schedules can adapt to spontaneous projects or outdoor explorations. Times could be changed in the school meetings to addapt to the group. Kids will decide whether they would like to join a class/workshop or not.
Opening dates
1st of September 2026 to 28th of May 2027
Contact info
Emails: hi@barefootsoulscommunity.com
Phone number: +34 627 45 99 91
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barefoot_souls_community/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1631275827644394
FAQs
Workshops
Kids will have the opportunity to participate in at least three workshops per day. They can choose to sign up for any of them—or not! If they prefer, there’s plenty of material available for independent exploration, a cozy library, and a lovely outdoor area to play.
Examples of workshops: Music, Dance, Aeronautics, Yoga, Biology, Cooking, English, Arts and Crafts, Bamboo Tinkering, Reading Club, Bushcraft, Math, and more!
Outings
We organize weekly outings. The river is just 200 meters away!
Food
A morning snack and a healthy vegetarian lunch are included.
Accomodation
We dont offer accomodation. We can share the local Whastapp and Facebook groups and agents. Accommodation options range from €300 to… well, the sky’s the limit! Prices depend on factors like the length of stay, the season, location, size, and modernity of the space.
Location
The learning center is in Sadolxem, Canacona, Goa. We are just 10 minutes by scooter from Patnem Beach.
Afternoon activities
The area offers a wide variety of activities, including surfing lessons in Agonda, football training organized by parents, aerial yoga, art, pottery, kids’ movie nights, and more. Most afternoons, we simply hang out at Patnem Beach.
Electronic Devices Policy
All types of electronic devices are not allowed at the center. However, we provide a laptop in one of the rooms for research purposes.