Today the younger kids and their teachers were ready and waiting for a day of fun activities when we arrived – and that’s definitely what they got! For me it was a huge learning curve as to how best to have an impact, how to interact with the teachers and how at the end of the day kids will be kids. We went with some roughly planned out activities in mind and although to anyone watching it seemed like chaos, but it was organised chaos!
I was aware that ‘learning through play’ is a culturally abstract concept over here, although bits of it creep in inadvertently (‘head, shoulders, knees & toes’ well loved by the kids and teachers alike) but it is still hard to comprehend how playing is something and the value of playing is something we as volunteers need to teach them – pretty much from scratch.
I have learnt today that my deeply ingrained polite English ways, especially with the teachers, actually got in the way of getting stuff done. The teachers were looking for us to directly tell them what to do and how to do it. In my head I kept thinking ‘It’s so obvious’ and ‘I don’t mean to sound patronising’ and once I got over that, things started to come a bit easier.
Now for the fun activities (bear with me as it’s not revolutionary stuff to you or me) – we had several drawing stations, started height charts for each house (they have never done this before and were oh so proud to have their name & height recorded), playing with a lovely colourful parachute (total bedlam at first but they soon got into it with a bit of direction from me, to the teachers, back to the kids) and then general play time with toys.
Things we noticed; initially the kids were possessive and squabbled about whatever toy they were handed, but after a while they naturally started coming together with certain sets of toys, like making the wooden animals play together and fuzzy felts shapes actually going on the fuzzy felt boards. Their drawings are limited solely to dots that they join with lines, numbers and letters. That’s it. Drawing around their hands and feet was a very exciting discovery. Will definitely be building on this at the next visit. And what made me chuckle, only the boys wanting the My Little Ponies and then sitting around brushing their manes.
I imagine the teachers were thinking ‘how is this educational?’ but credit to them they joined in and wanted to hear our reasoning and I think they kind of enjoyed it too. They truly got it when I explained the rationale behind the parachute game – learning trust, helping each other, negotiating your path and keep going even in the heat. And it almost became more fun when the parameters were set – everyone knew what they were doing and were in it together. Simple stuff.
It’s really hard not to use clichés and exclamation marks at the end of every sentence, because I really want to try and convey what it feels like to be here and what impact these seemingly obvious actions are having and it’s not easy to get across in words. So I’ll just leave you with this: at the end of our time today the teacher asked “would you like to go home & eat (food is always the priority in their little lives) or stay here and play?â€
â€PLAY, PLAY, PLAY!â€
I’m taking that as a compliment of the highest order.
I think that really is a huge compliment. Wow. Such a huge cultural difference. How amazing to be able to help them discover the beauty of drawing. Sounds like today will stay with you, and them, for a long time to come. I’m so glad it is living up to your (very high) expectations. GLO seems to be growing from strength to strength. Can’t wait to go out x
Elvis’ little face with his My Little Pony Says it all, its totally abnormal for them not to be sitting in front of a blackboard all day but to us this is part of learning. The children and teachers had a brilliant day, a massive Thanks to everyone to donated the lovely clothes, art supplies & toys, and a big Thanks to Sejal, Claire, Kevin, Sinead & Rick for spending time with the children
Mary & Kevin xxx
Well done everyone.This is something Lorraine from Learning Space could really get into.It is her forte and loves the whole concept of learning through play.You are doing a great job Mary.Keep it up.
It is great to read your blog. More importantly its great to see that you have thrown yourself into it, showing new ways of teaching through play, and from their response lunch or play says it all. The kids and teachers are enjoying being with you, and you with them. Giving what you can is very noble, keep up the good work. From the photos you can see that they are into football too, however, which is the favourite team.
Sonal and Dhiren
xxx
Funnily enough I think Man United are the most popular team!! Looking forward to going again tomorrow and trying to get them to start drawing real things not just lines, letters and numbers. More updates to come soon! x
Great to see the toys and equipment are being put to good use.
Loved and cared for in a safe home, educated AND having lots of fun! What more could these kids want!! So glad to see them growing physically and with confidence after such a bad start in life. Give my love to them all!
All I can say is “FANTASTIC” !!!
x
I have just come across GLO by reading my local free paper called GEM, Im from Cowbridge (Wales). I felt compelled to look up the website..What you guys are doing over there is so amazing to say the least, those kids look so happy with so little, we could really learn something over here in the UK. I feel embarrassed by what I do for a living when I see things like this..I do children’s parties, how shallow! Our children are sooooo lucky. I would really like to help in some way,I would like to come over and contribute, but I question,is that selfish because it becomes more of what I get out of it, I just looked up costs of a flight and I could just send the money, surely that would do more to help than me visiting? Well I am going to make it my mission to raise the equivulant of air fair. YOU GUYS AND THE CHILRED ARE INSPIRATIONALXX