By Komal Bharambe, Nimisha Gavle and Amita Awade
After our art and craft workshop in December 2018 for the students of Zilla Parishad Primary School, Budhavali, Junoon Foundation approached us for another workshop. So, which workshop? What kind of workshop should we conduct this time? Do the kids prefer indoor or outdoor activities?!!! questioned our mind.
During last workshop we had realised that the kids were quite reserved. We felt of doing something to bring them out of their shell and try to enjoy new ways of learning. And there the idea/concept of IN and OUT popped in our head. Wherein, we introduced some simple exercises which helped us to know about kid’s interests.
Accordingly, the day was planned, March 2, 2019. After our introduction to the kids, we did fun physical activity with them. This helped them to quickly open up to us. Later, the kids were introduced with four paintings. Two paintings had indoor activity (reading and sleeping), while, the other two had outdoor activity (playing and dancing). Kids were given the freedom to choose their favourite painting. Surprisingly, most kids chose outdoor painting, while a few chose indoor painting.
We had prepared two activities for the day. Indoor activity included educational drama/ skit and Outdoor activity included dance (physical activity). As we performed the skit, we asked a few kids to be a part it, which helped them relate to the story. A skit had a meaningful message, and we hope, this may help the kids to build their good values for lifetime.
After the skit we conducted a dance session which was full of fun and excitement. The volunteers joined the kids with the dance practice, which boosted kids’ confidence. While conducting dance exercise we observed that kids were opening up and being themselves. Later, the kids and volunteers performed the final act, and that was so much fun for everyone. The best thing was, after the dance session the kids demanded a local song and started dancing on it. It was surely fun to watch these kids dancing with full energy, despite the fact that they just had a dance session.
As this type of workshop was conducted for the first time we realised that the environment that the kids are in also has a big impact on the way they feel. For example, if they perform regular and boring activities all the time, they are less likely to be inspired to be creative. If we introduce kids to new fun ways of learning, it might inspire them to be creative. Kids love to ask ‘Why?’– Creative activities, such as drama and miming help them to think for themselves more and work out answers themselves.
Junoon Foundation 