LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION TOOLKIT FOR ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN INDIA 9•
If possible, ask the children to act out what they said and how. This step is important because it
will help in relating what is learned into their real lives.Experience from the field
Puppets were used after completing this activity to link learning with life. The girls (rag pickers) used the
puppet-show to demonstrate the mixed messages they gave to the boys in the community. They showed
they were not interested in the boys but in reality wanted to and did meet the boys. (Girls aged 12-18,
YWCA Delhi)ACTIVITY FIVE
Choosing Whom to Talk to
Group check in- Discuss with the children what could contribute to good communication. Ask children to think of
a situation when the communication was really good. Make a list of what made the
communication good or use the list from the earlier activity on listening. Add on if necessary. The
list may look like this:
i. Listens with full attention;
ii. Encouraging words or sounds;
iii. Answers questions;
iv. Body language is supportive; and
v. Gives feedback in a nice way. - Divide the group into groups of three to four and ask each group to think of a problem they may
have and whom they would approach for help and advice. They do not have to share this with
anyone. If the group cannot think of any ideas, give them some problems that you know are
common with the children.
Place a list of people who they go to, such as parents, a friend, a teacher, an NGO worker, or
any others.
The groups then discuss whom they go to and why. Ask them to focus on how they listen and
talk to them. Ask them to evaluate if they have good listening skills. How do they feel after
talking to them?
If the group can write, make a list of the persons on one side and whether they are good and
interested listeners on the other. Before rating, there should be an internal discussion within the
groups about their opinion on each of these figures with reference to the “Good Listening List.” Place
a symbol if children cannot write to indicate very good, good, or bad listeners. With younger children
stars can be used to indicate who the good listeners are and who are not so good. A gold star may
refer to a very good listener, a silver one to an okay one and a bronze or black one to a bad one.