SwayamKids

Day 2:

Today kids were so excited to start with planning train, we started with Planning Train activities where kids Discussed who will do what , when, where, who and how! Some amazing ideas, emotions, thoughts came during this discussion. “We are less kids so we can make posters and keep carnival open for others as well”, “We will skate and serve food”, “I can’t bring my dada, he passed away and I feel like crying when we talk about him” They wanted to take Reviews from parents so when we plan next camp we can use the feedback and work on it”.

Kids made leaders for individual work they have decided and take responsibility of that particular department of work. So we have drama team, decoration leader, Food and snack leader, GAMES leader, Entertainment leader and we have small group so few of them are taking more than one responsibility.

Kids were asked to use their TEAMWORK TOOLS during their planning and preparations and we will share why they are giving particular quality(Responsible, sharing, listening, co-operative, Communicating, Understanding etc.) stick to that friend in team.

Today drama team was working on their story, script and drama. Decoration team was working with how they can create decoration using old material we have, newspapers and papers we have. They got stuck with Santa Clause outfit as we can’t buy one and Santa doesn’t have red shirt or pants. Let’s see how it unfolds….

Reflection: “Kids gave various ice-cream sticks to their friends according to quality they observed in themselves and others. I was happily amazed when one of them took communicating stick for self and said, “Mam I have been communicating my ideas very well with drama team and rest of the group so I took one”, “I am giving listening to her cause she listens to everyone carefully and then she shares her ideas, “I think I was very respectful towards all my friends when they were sharing or asking for help and towards you too so I am going to give respectful to me”, I want to give her the ownership stick as she was taking ownership of all decorations and other work we have decided and helping everyone”. I was happy to see these awareness in kids. We are super excited to go further with our planning.

Day 3:

24/12/23

Sunday

When kids came in some of them declared that they won’t do any activity/games today, They want to start preparing for their carnival. I told them, I know they all are super excited to work but we have to do few activities as per my plan as my goal is not carnival but Exposing them to How TEAM WORK happens and thinking creatively. They didn’t like the idea but agreed.

We did circle time and played Energizer MIRROR MIRRO. Game works on coming up with creative actions and focusing on what your partner is doing. They enjoyed a lot.

We started MAIN activity by going through our PLANNING TRAIN tool. After discussions and reflections Kids decided that each leader will make list of all material they need for their jobs to be done. Few of them started working at a time as they were clear on what to do, one of them was discussing with other if her ideas are good or needs changes and one was simply lost. She asked me, “What to do, Kaha se shuru karu!” I reminded them to check their planning train and see if everything is going as planned. They were having some disagreements, convincing, thinking happening as Santa didn’t have red clothes. Pants or full skirt. They decided she can wear all white skirt and two of them came up with solution that since we can’t buy anything, you can wrap red dupatta on dress like red skirt and wear red jacket that you have. You are a girl Santa so it’s ok.

When we were doing Reflection activity kids realised that they didn’t have invitation cards only. Some of them wanted to do individual cards, one of them suggested to do one card as there is no time….They came up with solution to have one card, click a pic and send as invite. Few disagreements and convincing happened but settled well. They still were not able to get their one invite also ready on time as they were busy decorating, creating booth, props, and other stuff. When we reflected at the end we asked what all they can do as a team to achieve their goal and work more efficiently next time. One of them said we can plan ahead, make our list and do task two days before only so we have a day extra to complete, another said we can discuss and strategize on how to complete each task….Few were listening and in thinking mode. Girls have decided to stay back for an hour tomorrow as they need more time to complete.

22/12/23

Friday

Day 1:

Energizing Brain Gym: Kids engaged in a lively energizer game, molding and stretching themselves in response to facilitator's cues. From moving around as big as possible to slithering like a snake, they had a blast exploring different movements and settling their energies.

CIRCLE TIME: We made class codes where some of them shared they also make class codes in school but they don’t follow it all the time. One of them also suggested we should have consequences of what if they don’t follow the codes…what happens!

We did guided visualisation of how BODY works as a Team to make kids understand what TEAM WORK is! What all happens when they work in TEAM…Brain communicates with body organs, Organs listen to brain, How Body parts co-operate and SHARE RESPONSIBILITIES to get task done.

WE DID TEAM WORK BRAIN Storming in TEDDY’S Pretend BParty: Kids shared People work in group is Team work. People listen to each other and work for IDEA is team work. One said even if two people work it is a team work. One said for even small task like raising hand body has to do a team work. Other examples kids gave are, “ Music system (Orchestra) works in Team, Builders work in team to make building, Mom dad dada dadi work in team for organizing a Birth day party. Football and cricket they work in team, if only one person plays they can’t win.

We introduced PLANNING TRAIN tool for them to organize event: Created MIND-MAP and some amazing ideas they came up with. Here it is. Once MIND –MAP was done Kids drove the session where they had group discussions on what we can keep in our carnival, how we want to do it, who will do what, where we should do it….As they were discussing they were putting it in Planning Train. They are given constraint that they can’t buy anything for carnival. Everything they have to create/Make and do on their own…nothing new can be brought from home. They can recycle or reuse old stuff in new way.

One small change in our habit can help 80% improve our relationship with our partners and kids, is not stopping them in between when they are talking to you, even if we might not agree to their ideas or are talking out of anger or insulting tone ...let them complete, wait for 3 to 5 seconds (count till 5) and then respond...😀...Try and share how was your experience? Did it help?

Children are just great learners!
Everyday my daughter surprises me with new words, actions, skills, expressions and the best is the right timing to communicate messages. I think it is just a myth that I am teaching her or that I will have to teach her. She is already; on her own - observing, reflecting and driving her world. I feel that she is the best trainer for herself. I am working with myself to not train her, but keep sharing with her - my beliefs and letting her decide, what works best for her! :)

Children learn faster when they see, then what they are told

Develop love for reading!
First step to doing anything is having access. How easily kids can see, touch and feel books, so they might pick up.
We have kept few books in every room.
Second, our association with books, if I have fun, chances are I will pick up on my own. We play around with books to introduce books and not push to read them. We can make music, huts, look at pictures, play pic a boo...
Third children do what they see - how many times they see us reading.

Enjoy having fun with books!

Discover Your Child's Learning Style: Children Learn in Unique Ways--here's the Key to Every Child's Learning Success "Discover Your Child's Learning Style is a book you need. Period. It has more potential to improve your child's education - and your family relationships - than any other book I have ever read, with the sole exception of the Bible." Mary Pride