In today’s world, where children have multiple sources of information, parents feel the need to be the primary communication source for their children. Parents are seen often adopting a rather protective stance, not wishing to tell children about the bad that balances the good in the world. It is useful to think if children should be shielded from everything bad or ugly or made aware of them, perhaps in moderate measures - so that they gradually develop the skill of dealing with such things on their own.
We recount an event which exemplifies this - from Dussehra, a well-known festival in India celebrating the triumph of good over evil.
During a particular Dussehra, one preschool designed the following play to help children realise how it is important to identify one’s mistakes, be apologetic for them, and learn from them.
Scene 1
Children having fun - drawing, playing, talking in a classroom. Suddenly, Raavan enters the scene. He has only one head.
Child 1: “Hello! Who are you?”
Raavan (sadly): “I am Raavan, and I am very sad.”
Child 2: “Why are you sad? And if you are Raavan, where are your other heads?”
Raavan: “That is why I am sad! I have lost the rest of my heads! Dussehra is just around the corner. If I don’t find my heads, what will people do for Dussehra?!”
Child 3: “You want to find your heads, so that people can punish you? Why don't you hide or run away?”
Raavan: “I made a mistake by taking Sita away. So I have to make up for my mistake and say sorry for what I did.”
Scene 2
Raavan leaves.
Child 1: “We promised Raavan that we will find his heads. How do we do that? We don’t even know where to start looking!”
Child 2: “It is okay! I know what we can do! Do you remember our last Art and Craft class?”
Child 3: “Where we learnt to make things with papier-mâché?”
Child 4: “Yes! We will make Raavan’s heads with papier-mâché!”
All Children: “Wow! That is a great idea!”
Scene 3
Children at work making heads from papier-mâché.
Raavan enters in a while.
Raavan: “Did you find my heads, children?”
Child 1: “No, but we did something better. We made you new heads from papier-mâché! Look at them..so colourful!”
Raavan: “They are such lovely heads! Now Dussehra should be fun! You saved Dussehra, my dear children. For that reason, I will tell you something important. I was a rich, just and intelligent king. But I became proud and made a mistake. So I was punished. Always remember to say sorry if you make a mistake. I did that - and you all helped me today.”
All Children: “We will always remember this lesson Raavan!”
Raavan: “Bye children! See you on Dussehra!”
Through this simple play, the children were exposed to an example of bad in the world. They also learnt an important lesson – about saying sorry.
If children are not acquainted with the negative influencers and unpleasant aspects of life, they may remain incapable of dealing with them and making informed decisions in their future lives.
We recount an event which exemplifies this - from Dussehra, a well-known festival in India celebrating the triumph of good over evil.
During a particular Dussehra, one preschool designed the following play to help children realise how it is important to identify one’s mistakes, be apologetic for them, and learn from them.
Scene 1
Children having fun - drawing, playing, talking in a classroom. Suddenly, Raavan enters the scene. He has only one head.
Child 1: “Hello! Who are you?”
Raavan (sadly): “I am Raavan, and I am very sad.”
Child 2: “Why are you sad? And if you are Raavan, where are your other heads?”
Raavan: “That is why I am sad! I have lost the rest of my heads! Dussehra is just around the corner. If I don’t find my heads, what will people do for Dussehra?!”
Child 3: “You want to find your heads, so that people can punish you? Why don't you hide or run away?”
Raavan: “I made a mistake by taking Sita away. So I have to make up for my mistake and say sorry for what I did.”
Child 4: “Oh it is okay if you’re sorry! Our teacher said the most important thing is to be sorry if you have made a mistake! You’re sorry Raavan. So we will help you!”
Raavan: “Thank you children! I will be so happy if you find my heads!”
All Children: “Don’t worry Raavan, we will find them!”
Scene 2
Raavan leaves.
Child 1: “We promised Raavan that we will find his heads. How do we do that? We don’t even know where to start looking!”
Child 2: “It is okay! I know what we can do! Do you remember our last Art and Craft class?”
Child 3: “Where we learnt to make things with papier-mâché?”
Child 4: “Yes! We will make Raavan’s heads with papier-mâché!”
All Children: “Wow! That is a great idea!”
Scene 3
Children at work making heads from papier-mâché.
Raavan enters in a while.
Raavan: “Did you find my heads, children?”
Child 1: “No, but we did something better. We made you new heads from papier-mâché! Look at them..so colourful!”
Raavan: “They are such lovely heads! Now Dussehra should be fun! You saved Dussehra, my dear children. For that reason, I will tell you something important. I was a rich, just and intelligent king. But I became proud and made a mistake. So I was punished. Always remember to say sorry if you make a mistake. I did that - and you all helped me today.”
All Children: “We will always remember this lesson Raavan!”
Raavan: “Bye children! See you on Dussehra!”
Through this simple play, the children were exposed to an example of bad in the world. They also learnt an important lesson – about saying sorry.
If children are not acquainted with the negative influencers and unpleasant aspects of life, they may remain incapable of dealing with them and making informed decisions in their future lives.
No comments:
Post a Comment