LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION TOOLKIT FOR ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN INDIA• 19
Adaptation
The River of Life can be used for all ages. Instead of asking young children to think of five years
and 10 years from now to visualize the future, ask them to think of what they would like to see
happening to them in the future when they grow up.
Another activity for young children can also be used. Give each child a chart paper and instruct
them to fold it in half. In the top half the child should write, “This is ———(name of the child) now.” Give
children magazines to cut pictures or symbols from to illustrate anything that describes them now. It
could be their physical characteristics, or a special talent they have, or what they like. In the bottom
half the child should write “This is ———(name of the child) when I grow up.” Ask children to cut pictures
from magazines and paste it with all the things they would like to be themselves and what they think
would be important in future. Pair children and ask them to share their pictures with one another.Experience from the field
Children were between 9-11 years and had not seen a river. So I made them stand up and said this is when
you are happy like going up in a seesaw. When you sit down or go down on a seesaw, it is sad or not
happy. After that, the children had no difficulty in drawing their lifelines. We need a counselor to be
present because some of the children remembered sad times when a parent had died.” (Positive Living
Project, Namakkal)Review
In a circle, discuss:- What did you feel when you analyzed your life with another child? Was it helpful?
Why or why not? - Did your friends have lifelines different from yours?
- Were the lifelines of girls/boys different? In what ways were they different and why?
- Do you think the events you have mentioned are likely to happen in the future?
- What do you need to do now if you want them to happen in the future?
Linking Learning with Life
For Older Children:
Help a friend or family member prepare their own lifeline and gift it to them.
For Younger Children:
Share lifelines or charts with one another.