Life Skills Education Toolkit

36 • MODULE SIX: COPING WITH EMOTIONS

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY

The Big Book: Our Story of Hope

1. This activity is recommended if the facilitator has time and has an assistant to help. It involves
   the development of a story by the children and will take several sessions.


2. The story is then transferred into a big book made up of big chart paper that is strung together.
   The children in threes and fours can sit around the big book and read ‘their’ story together.
   Make sure there are a lot of pictures and drawings. The story should have short simple
   sentences in the local language and in the children’s words. Once the book is ready, the children
   can read it to other children as well.


3. Some questions are given to help develop a story. The story should be simple and not have too
   many characters, especially if the children are young. Some guidelines for development can be
   taken from the earlier story, but it must not be just repetitive. Encourage the children to
   be creative.
   
   
   • Who are the main persons/animals/birds in the story? How old are they? What are they
     doing? What do they like? Where do they live? How is their life?
   
   
   • Who gets infected or sick? How do they find out? What do they feel? What do they do?
     What are the different reactions in the family, friends and community?
   
   
   • How do they help each other? How do they feel? How did they handle their sadness?
     How did they find good times?
   
   
   • What happens to the characters in the story? What will happen in the future? What
     message would they like to give to all children?
   
   
   
   


4. Plan the production of the book: who will write in the book, which will bring pictures, who will
   stick them, what drawings should be used and who will decorate. This activity thus becomes a
   team activity. It should be an activity where everyone feels good about contributing.


5. As this activity will require a number of meetings, you may end the meetings through a guided
   meditation and congratulate the children for the wonderful work done.

Linking Learning With Life

Once the book is ready, discuss and plan with the children how other children can be involved in

the Big Book, such as through reading sessions, through helping others make their own Big

Books. Discuss how a Big Book helped us in our lives.

Tips for the facilitatorTips for the facilitatorTips for the facilitatorTips for the facilitatorTips for the facilitator

• Story needs to be adapted according to the children’s age and context.


• The “Big Book” activity should be conducted preferably after the story in the earlier activity.


• Pictures can be drawn or cut out from magazines for those who cannot write.


• Previous activities were conducted and instructions for this activity were followed carefully. The
  children enjoyed the activity. (Positive Living Project, Namakkal).