As part of their Independence day visit, our pre-schoolers expressed interest in knowing more about the freedom fighters. Considering their curiosity, they were taken to Freedom park, a place that served as a prison during Indian freedom movement which is now converted into a park.
As children arrived at Freedom Park, A noticed grass growing on the gaps between the tiles on the pavement and screamed.
A: Stop everyone! Do not step on the grass!
He succeeded in getting everybody’s attention and they walked carefully making sure to not step on the grass.
Post this incident of A displaying kindness and care and encouraging others to do the same, they walked ahead exploring the different areas of the park, the prisons, the execution place etc. As they walked, they came across a little insect strolling on the grass. Av, picked up a small twig and killed the insect.
Rest of the group screamed: Ma’am Av killed the insect.
Em (visibly upset): it didn’t even do anything to us.
Rest of the group screamed: Ma’am Av killed the insect.
Em (visibly upset): it didn’t even do anything to us.
Seeing his friends holding him accountable for his behavior, Av feels bad and tries to defend himself by speaking gibberish.
A while later, children exploring the park found a fallen branch. They picked it up and started playing tug-of-war (it’s been their favorite game ever since it was introduced to them a year ago). Just then, M saw it and ran to her friends.
M: Everybody stop! You’ll get hurt.
M: Everybody stop! You’ll get hurt.
It was moving to see how children had beautifully taken in the values of care and kindness towards each other and things around them. As adults and facilitators working with children, it’s important for us to inculcate in ourselves the valves that we would like to see in our children. Things learnt during their formative years are learnt deeper and children learn better by observation. Let’s be that good example that our children can observe and learn from. Let’s create the world that we like to have for our children by being that world.
Contributed by Yashika CG, Facilitator, Sparkling Mindz Global Preschool