I have been writing a lot about how nature has paved the way to beautiful experiential learning experiences this month and most of it has been outdoors.
“I highly recommend the outdoor activity for children but today I am giving a glimpse of an indoor nature study.”
But before that what is experiential learning?
Children reflect upon an experience, then go on to analyse it and arrive at a conclusion. A very unique way of learning. Does it sound like science fiction, not achievable in reality?
What if I tell you experiential learning needs just tons of creativity and the ability to laugh at your own jokes.
Here is one of our indoor programmes we had organized for an NGO which gives after school programmes for government school children.
The session was about snakes. After an ice breaker game and cracking jokes on each other and forming teams. I asked, have you ever seen a snake? What do you think about them?
I heard all the dramatic stories of snakes taking on revenge games and how their distant relative’s brother in the village had died. Now children sat down in circles and were actually mentally prepared to listen to my long lecture.
I could read a few teens’ mind voices going “Another evening went boring” but what followed after was a shock to them and a laughter riot I was not ready for.
Sai: Now that I have learnt so much from you all about snakes and the programme is over.
Can we play games now? Can we make an origami basket?
My shocked children agreed because it was better than lectures. After a few failed attempts the children were brimming with pride at their cute little baskets.
Sai: I have a game in mind, since our topic is snakes and let’s do justice by doing something around it
Children: Fair enough
Sai: Do you have anything to tell the snakes? Can you all write it to them? ask them why are they horrific or beautiful?
Watch out for more to this programme, next week!
Sai Devi
Educator and Founder of Thicket Tales which capacitates children and families to explore and learn from their surroundings through games, experiments and projects.
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