Once you figure out the problem, you can always solve it.
Children with whom I am dealing (Or better to say learning),
Are very obsessed with the idea that, they are meant or born to follow other’s (Elders, teachers, friends, relatives etc.) instructions. It’s their ‘DHARMA’ to live/behave like what people around them wants, wish, dream or expect from them.
They strongly believe that they cannot think, only text books and teachers are right. To have their own ideas, reviews, Opinion is just a silly thing, they just Ignore it.. If the one realize it and share it in class room the group considers it as a ‘bad behavior’.
They cannot discuss/share their routine experiences like Happiness, problems, feelings, of daily life and incidences in class room. They think it’s a waste of time –big foolish thing- not a part of learning.’ Apart of all this nonsense they must focus on math numbers, History, Language, complete the book. That’s the important thing in whole world.
There is no scope or chance in class room for imagination, Even if they imagine…How dare they share it in class room? It’s not in curriculum. What they imagine is kiddies teachers have no time to listen it. There is no time in Schools for expression of what you feel or think or experience. They cannot afford it.
A very first time when I asked them “What do you want to learn today? Decide in group and tell me.” They were blank, ‘What the hell she is asking? Does she really mean what she speak?’ I got that kind of reaction in class room.
Finally they trust me and start to inquire themselves I could observe as a teacher that they wanted to play a game. But they were feeling hesitated to ask me for that because it was a first hour of school time. They were so conditioned that playing is a wrong thing they can do that only in extra free time.
The worst thing I felt when I asked them to fill color in picture, some of them asked me to suggest colors to fill? Oh!! My GOD please help me don’t they have freedom to choose colors also?...No …. But the real matter was they were not able to decide colors because it was first time they had chance to choose colors, normally only teachers tell them fill this color in this part …..
OKKKK So now I got what the exact problem is ………
They need a freedom to think, to talk, to imagine, to explore, to share/discuss their - feelings, experiences, observations, Ideas, point of view.
They need a chance or situations to argue, to oppose, to complain, to take decision.
And I strongly believe that this is the real education.
Now my responsibility is to facilitate them with all these opportunities.
Right now the “ Drama in education ” and “Life skills through drama” are the only best option I know. It’s a best Technique suit the need here.
And I am working on it. But I want to explore more options too…..
So I can facilitate children more verity of learning opportunities.
Here I need help from community,
If anybody knows other techniques, skills, Ideas which can full fill my and children needs. Suggest me here I am ready to learn.
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