The “Friends of Children Corner” has been conceptualised as a ‘learning space’, created in residential areas, markets and public spaces, melas, community festivals, school functions and get-togethers. It is a free, non-competitive space where adults and children can come and play and learn together. It is a congenial ‘learning environment’ with an emphasis on learning through fun and games.
A few tables and chairs to set up games and activities (in school’s, parks, marketplaces, residential areas, slums…), and we are ready for the time of our lives. There are board and card games, there is a globe and maps, a few microscopes and lenses, magnets, lots of puzzles, different kinds of blocks, origami, kabaar-se-jugaar (doing things with waste), craft workshops, different kinds of science experiences, co-operative games, stories to tell and hear … puppets!
An important feature of the Friends of Children Corner is the mode of facilitation. The children and adults participating are not left alone with the activities, but are facilitated by CEVA members, who
are well versed in the “inquiry method of teaching and learning”. The method used is person centred and process intensive.
are well versed in the “inquiry method of teaching and learning”. The method used is person centred and process intensive.
These facilitators help the participants to create meaning from their experience at the FOC by helping them to link it to what they have learnt in school and life.
What’s a typical ‘Friends of Children Corner’ like?
The Friends of Children Corner offers the following learning experiences for learners of all ages. We have been especially creating learning experiences to help develop the different intelligences:
Stories: Stories are at the heart of human civilization. Looking at life around us, everything is a story; a child’s first day at school is a story, the fight in the playground is a story, mum making halwa is a story and
so is the fact that earth is round. We have been working with story-telling as a medium of reaching out and generating dialogue.
so is the fact that earth is round. We have been working with story-telling as a medium of reaching out and generating dialogue.
We perform stories for children and adults, dramatise them and present them in a theatrical form. We use techniques like ‘Kamishibai’, an ancient Japanese form for presenting stories and ‘Phar’ which is a Rajasthani
folk art form, for sharing stories with audiences. ‘Kamishibai’ uses story cards and in ‘Phar’ we have a long scroll of paper /canvas which rolls out revealing pictures pertaining to the story as the story-teller acts out and sings the story...
folk art form, for sharing stories with audiences. ‘Kamishibai’ uses story cards and in ‘Phar’ we have a long scroll of paper /canvas which rolls out revealing pictures pertaining to the story as the story-teller acts out and sings the story...
We are also interested in children’s stories. We help the children (and adults) to make personal story-boards for sharing and ‘remembering’ stories.
Science: We have microscopes, different kinds of magnifiers, balances, thermometers, lenses, magnets, and other miscellaneous lab equipment.
We have designed learning experiences using these, science toys and puzzles, board games, cards and guided experiments to help children familiarize themselves with the language of science and develop
conceptual understanding and science process skills. And, see for themselves the value of a hands-on experience in science. The facilitators
are there with their questions that have been designed to take the learners through a thinking journey, to make ‘predictions’, come to ‘conclusions’ and even design mini investigations.
We have designed learning experiences using these, science toys and puzzles, board games, cards and guided experiments to help children familiarize themselves with the language of science and develop
conceptual understanding and science process skills. And, see for themselves the value of a hands-on experience in science. The facilitators
are there with their questions that have been designed to take the learners through a thinking journey, to make ‘predictions’, come to ‘conclusions’ and even design mini investigations.
Math: We use math manipulatives, board and card games to facilitate learning in arithmetic operations and concepts, geometry and algebra. The facilitators help to guide learners to reinvent mathematics for themselves through the activities and become comfortable in the
‘language’ of mathematics. We are working on the processes that would
help to transfer strategies learnt in the classroom context to solve problems in the real life context.
‘language’ of mathematics. We are working on the processes that would
help to transfer strategies learnt in the classroom context to solve problems in the real life context.
Our planet: We have designed games and activities to familiarize learners with the environment of our planet (physical and political) using globes, maps and other visual aids.
Paper Craft and Origami: Waste paper is a freely available resource. Paper crafts like origami, aerogami (making different kinds of paper aero-planes), paper cutting and making things out of rolled paper are wonderful activities for improving attention span and enhancing creativity, with the ability to even transport one into a meditative stance.
Puzzles: We have included many puzzles that help in boosting figuring out, visual-spatial and creative thinking skills. Learners gain the ability to build strategies to solve problems and pick up study skills. (Very useful for handling examinations)
Language games: Lots of games (especially board and card games) that create learning experiences and opportunities to practice and improve language skills, vocabulary and grammar. These have been developed in three languages – Hindi, Punjabi and English.
Theatre exercises and co-operative games: We lead the children in theatre exercises and a range of co-operative non-competitive games, for developing kinesthetic intelligence, and physical responses of the children. Of course the energy generated by the games lends to the magic in the street.