Learning by hands-on games and activities

November 7, 2017

Solomon James

“CHILDREN LEARN AS THEY PLAY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY ,IN PLAY, THEY LEARN HOW TO LEARN”

October is the beginning of the festival season in Goa, along with the festival of Diwali or as it is also called, the Festival of Lights. This is one of the most important festivals for Hindus which celebrates the triumph of good over evil. “Diwali” means “several small icon lamps” and after the sunset light up icon lamps made of clay (Diyas) in their homes.

But before this festival, all the children in the school go through an End Term Examination after which 3 weeks of holidays begin. And with the holidays we had more children as they had no school. The children at our projects were also relaxed and excited for the holidays because during the holidays they get to meet our participants and learn from them. The children at the morning and evening projects wait eagerly for our new participants to teach them new things. And after the projects the participants return to the house to do homework and prepare themselves for the next day’s projects with an excitement alike.

Our participants in Goa attend two different projects within a typical day which are vastly different in terms of activities as well as the age groups of the children. It helps them interact with children from different spheres of the society, know their stories and be among them as one of them for a day.

TOWARDS BEING ECO- FRIENDLY

The Motto for the Diwali was being more Eco- friendly and the participants taught children to do creative things with waste and children were very eager to participate and learn. The children learnt how to make a piggy bank using plastic bottles, to make newspaper bags which would promote using less of plastic bags, and much more.

Since it is time to celebrate Diwali, the participants were so glad to get a good sneak peak of Diwali Festival and how it’s celebrated in different parts of Goa. And in return, the participants together with The Green Lion staff members celebrated Halloween as they celebrate it in their home countries while teaching our team to do Halloween pumpkin carvings as well.