LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION TOOLKIT FOR ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN INDIA 3•
Directions:
ACTIVITY ONE
I Love Myself- Ask the children to say, “I love myself.” While saying this the children must use simple gestures
such as smiling, hugging oneself, and standing up tall and proud and any other way that
expresses the meaning of what they are saying. - Give each child a paper plate and ask them to write on top, “I love myself because ...” (If a child
cannot write, the facilitator or another child can help or a child can draw). Encourage each child
to draw any symbol they like for themselves.
If the children are unfamiliar with symbols, introduce some common symbols as a preparatory
activity. These may include road signs (one way, no parking), airplane (to show airport), a
handshake (to show friendship), an eye with a teardrop (to show sadness) or the three monkeys
that Gandhiji was fond of (one monkey with his eyes closed to symbolically say “see no evil,” the
other with his hands over his mouth symbolizing “speak no evil,” and the third with his hands
over the ears symbolizing “hear no evil”). Other symbols may be used by the facilitator
if required.
Ask each child to write two things they like about themselves or are good at. It could be anything,
starting with a physical characteristic, or a quality they have, or a behavior or a skill. Some children
might need help to think of some qualities or skills they are good at. In that case their friends can
help them. - Ask the children to share what they have written with their partner on the right.
- Next, ask the children to tape the paper plate on their backs and move about the room. Ask
each child to write something positive on the plate. Remind each child to be specific. For
example, instead of “nice” or “helpful,” ask them to write, “helps with homework,” “talks to me
when I am lonely,” “says good jokes” or “always keeps my secrets.” - In a circle, ask each child to read out “I love myself and others love me. I am....” The child should
read out everything that s/he and the others have written. This may sound like: “I love myself and
others love me. I have a happy smile, good handwriting, look after my little sister, am a good
batsman, do not fight with my friends and have good muscles.”
Experience from the field
We used cut out figures to make a paper chain (like a bunting), and children wrote on it why they loved
themselves. (CCDT, Mumbai)
Children had difficulty writing positive qualities. The facilitator helped and encouraged children to do so.
Some children could think of good skills but not qualities. (CCDT, PCI, Prerana, SFDRT)
“I like to think good things about myself and more when others add positive qualities to my plate.”
(A 12-year old street child from Salaam Baalak Trust, Delhi)