Date: December 2015
Place: AuroSchools—Jodhpur, Chandigarh and Patiala
The primary objectives of these workshops are integral growth of children and demonstrating how teachers can incorporate art and craft in classroom teaching to make the learning process captivating and joyous.
Workshop for Children
The two-day workshop at Sri Aurobindo Centre of New Education (SACNE) in Jodhpur was spread over seven sessions with 200 children from grades 1 and 2 attending. The children learnt the art of making craftworks such as rabbits, owls, mouse, honey bees, hanging paper decorations. This exercise heightens a child’s fine motor skills, observation, imagination, concentration and creativity. Kiran demonstrated to the teachers present how art and craft facilitates the development of skills and faculties in children.
A similar four-day workshop was conducted from December 14 to 17, 2015, at Sri Aurobindo School, Chandigarh, with teachers and students. Spread over eight sessions, the workshop was attended by 270 children of grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 aged between 8 and 16 years. The children enthusiastically learnt the art of creating stencil-cut paper lamps, all-seeing eye, swans, birds with feathers, plaster of Paris (POP) bandage masks and 3D pictures. They worked in large groups and consequently learnt how to work in a team and share with others.
Kiran conducted a couple of craft sessions for grades 5 and 6 students at Auro Mira School in Patiala on December 14. The 65 attending children were divided into two groups with each session lasting for two hours, in which they learnt the technique of painting on crushed paper. The sessions focused on the gentle and rhythmic movement of the hand holding a brush. As Christmas was at hand, the children were taught how to make hanging snowflakes with the help of the facilitator.
Art and Craft Workshop for Teachers
Kiran conducted a couple of sessions, especially for teachers, at SACNE, Jodhpur. The workshop started with a self-awareness activity to relax the body and mind. The 12 attending teachers were taught indoor games which they can play with the children so that the latter remain alert throughout the day. They also learnt a few basic artworks such as folding fans to create umbrellas, flowers, stars, baskets, snowflakes, hangings for decorations and so on. The teachers were taught how to create masks out of POP fracture bandage which can be worn while acting, puppetry, inner expression, creativity and decoration. Masks can also be recycled by repainting.
Similar comprehensive sessions on art and craft for teachers were organized at Sri Aurobindo School, Chandigarh, and at Auro Mira School, Patiala, on December 17 and 20, 2015, respectively. Both workshops were attended by 12 teachers each. Kiran demonstrated a few indoor games to the teachers by which they can help the children expand their awareness and at the same time learn more about subjects such as animals and the sounds they make, names of planets, constellations and shapes of various objects. This exercise is also conducive for teachers to explore their inner child so that they are able to appreciate the children more and are therefore better equipped to help them develop.
Feedback:
We learnt several amazing new activities in this workshop. We can apply these skills in our classrooms which will make the children’s learning pragmatic.
— Shweta, Teacher (SACNE, Jodhpur)
I am very grateful to the school for arranging such a wonderful workshop. From it I picked up innovative ideas to make the classes playful. I enjoyed the games to keep the students alert. Kiran Di is a very cool, creative and friendly teacher. We hope she conducts more such workshops.
— Meena Joshi, Teacher (SACNE, Jodhpur)
This workshop provided us the opportunity to explore our creative instinct. We observed a lot of cooperation and coordination amongst the participants. The innovative ideas will benefit the students a great deal. The resource person was lively, creative and had a good command over her subject. We will display all the craftworks created during the workshop in the school. We look forward to more such workshops.
— Teachers (Sri Aurobindo School, Chandigarh)
Whatever we learnt today is very useful and creative which will help in the overall growth of a child. These activities enhance creativity, fine motor skills, positive thoughts, constructive usage of time and so on. We were taught how to develop a child’s interest in learning. It was enjoyable and we learnt numerous stunning craftworks such as baskets, masks and woollen dolls.
— Simta, Teacher (Auro Mira School, Patiala)
The activities we learnt will help the teachers develop various faculties of children, besides helping them explore new ways of teaching using art and craft activities and games. They will certainly facilitate the overall growth of the children.
— Jagdish Kumar, Teacher (Auro Mira School, Patiala)
It was a very enjoyable workshop. We will utilize all the skills we learnt in our classrooms. I also got a chance to explore my own creativity and myself via the workshop.
I have no words to express my gratitude and would like to thank Kiran.
— Mamta, Teacher (Auro Mira School, Patiala)