22S15

Our class decided to split the session into an Arts and Crafts segment, and then a games segment for the children. For the Art and Crafts segment, our class guided the children in designing their own tote bags. We purchased affordable plain tote bags and markers, and allowed the children to have the creative freedom to experiment and draw the designs they wish to have on their tote bags. At the end of the activity, every child was able to walk home with a practical item to use for school or other classes. As for the games segment, our class came up with the idea of setting up different booths around the centre with a different traditional game at each booth. The children were then able to visit the booths to partake in the games they were interested in. Some of the games we had were five stones, pick up sticks, country erasers, and chapteh.

One lesson we learned was to expect the unexpected. Originally, when making the slides, and preparing to present the activity to the children, we expected the children to be bored and unwilling to participate, and thus prepared our presentation as such. Instead, when arriving at the centre and meeting the children, we were bombarded with a sea of energy. Each child carried with them more energy than the last, and we had trouble keeping them still. Many times we had a child escaping from their seat to terrorise their fellow children. Luckily for us, the teacher helped keep the kids relatively disciplined and hard at work designing their tote bags. It also greatly helped that we outnumbered them and were able to assign one or two students to each child, helping to curb their enthusiasm. We shifted our gears and started talking louder, and tried to bring their focus back to the activity.

In dealing with the kids, we also built our patience. Dealing with these rambunctious children, who had a propensity for play fighting, took much self-control and forbearance as we did not want to be too harsh on them. It was especially tough presenting our activities, as they were fond of interrupting us every time we spoke. However, with enough perseverance, we managed to get through it while accurately communicating the information of the activity to them.