LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION TOOLKIT FOR ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN INDIA• 23
Experience from the field
Boys like loud bursting crackers, while girls liked those that were less noisy and had more color/light.
But these stereotypes need to be discussed as well. (World Vision, Guntur).
Girls were able to connect their anger with firecrackers very well. (YWCA, Delhi).
Adaptation: This activity was adapted using this story:
Once upon a time there was a snake that lived in a hole and came out in the morning to look for food.
But a group of boys would try to hit him with sticks as soon as he tried to come out of his hole. This
continued for a long time. The snake became very upset and met with a sadhu (Brahmin). The snake
asked the Brahmin why he was being hit even though he was not harming anyone. The Brahmin advised
the snake to show a little anger by raising his head above the ground the next time the boys tried to hit
him. The snake did as he was advised. The next time he was chased by the boys he raised his hood. At this
the boys got scared and ran away. This story tells us that one can show a little anger in self-protection,
but not a great deal of anger. Extreme anger is destructive and is never helpful. (PCI, Delhi)
Some anger management technique listed by the children (SARD)
(a) Do not talk to anybody.
(b) Play games.
(c) Write in one’s diary and then tear up the paper.
(d) Eat something.
(e) Listen to music.
(f ) Go for a walk.
(g) Sleep for some time.
(h) Watch TV.Tips for the facilitatorTips for the facilitatorTips for the facilitatorTips for the facilitatorTips for the facilitator- The activity works well. Children associate firecrackers with Diwali (an Indian festival) and
enjoyment, so the facilitator needs to let children talk about this and then introduce the activity. - Facilitator should take care not to make judgmental remarks like “good anger and bad anger.”
- Trust games can be used as a warm-up to this activity.