The caretaker’s guide to
‘The First Hellos’ A guide to using this kit effectively
The caretaker’s guide to‘The First Hellos’
The aim of the project was to create and co-create localized, contextually relevant informal educational artefacts, awareness programs and experiences for and with children. Community & Context: Tibetans, Bylakuppe Original text, design and illustration in English by Pallavi Datta Acknowledgements: Printed by: Kolor Kode Thanks to Dr. Geetha Narayanan, Director, Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology Thanks to the support and guidance of Katha, Delhi Copyright © Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology 2014 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology.
You often buy puzzles and toys to engage your child in some kind of activity, but this kit offers a different kind of engagement; one that encourages dialogue amongst them. While some kids find it easier to go out and make friends for others the process might be nerve-racking.This kit tries to simplify interpersonal relationships for a child through fun characters and animated verse.
The caretaker’s guide to‘The First Hellos’
How? While reading out or helping your child to read the book/ books a lot of weightage needs to be given on expression. The characters in the book are full of life and as you take the child through the books you can encourage him or her to name the characters to make them more relatable. In a classroom situation the poems can be read out. Then you can pick the kids or they can volunteer to come up and enact the poems as you read them out a second time. If they fall into the 3 to 4 year old age bracket you could participate in the enactment to make it easier and more comfortable for them.
The end spreads enable interaction by leaving the child with an image and an idea that they can build on. You can ask the child the following questions at the end of each book: Who do you think of when I say ‘we’? (Make them think of family or even pets along with friends) How would you say hello? Which friend would you pick? (Give them the option of picking multiple friends)
Where? Preschool/ Kindergarten
Personal ownership
It can be kept in the common space where all the kids have access to it. Since the books come separately different children can read them at the same time
As a parent you can use this set at home with your child, preparing him or her for the first day of school.
The caretaker’s guide to‘The First Hellos’
Why? ‘ The First Hellos’ is the first tiny steps your child can take towards building empathy. Even though making friends is something that comes intuitively to many children, the fast pace of our lives sometimes prevent us from enjoying and nurturing such a simple thing. This set of books makes the act of making your first friend/ friends memorable for your child.
Instructions for the activity The activity sheets are drawings of scenarios that children might encounter on any other day. Show them the sheets. They are line drawings so they can fill them with colour. Introduce these to them after you have had a session with the books. You can ask them the questions that are suggested and make up your own. Allow them to build a story around it. The smaller ones in the book are for reference. The A3 sheets in the box can be used for colouring and the story building activity.
The caretaker’s guide to‘The First Hellos’
First scenario There is a playground with swings and a jungle gym. There are a bunch of kids engrossed in play. A girl is standing at the entrance with a nervous look on her face. One of the girls on the swing is looking over at her. Who is that girl? Is she new? What is she feeling? Is she feeling shy or nervous? Can the other kids go and invite her to play? How will they do so? What would you do if you were new to a place? What would you do if there were someone new in the place? How would you go make friends with him or her?
The caretaker’s guide to‘The First Hellos’
Second scenario Two kids fighting over a crayon in the interiors of a house. They could be siblings or friends.
Why are they fighting? What are they fighting over? Do you ever fight with your friend, brother or sister? How can they stop this fight? Do we need to call someone, like their mother? Can they stop fighting by one of them giving the other the crayon? What would you do to fix it?
The caretaker’s guide to‘The First Hellos’
Third scenario Kids huddled together under the umbrella in the rain. Two of them look eager and excited the other seems annoyed with the rain. Do you enjoy getting wet in the rain? Have you ever been stuck in the rain with your friends? How can they make this experience fun together? Can they make paper boats that sail in the water? Do you like being indoors or outdoors on a rainy day? What are the things you could do with your friends indoors/outdoors on a rainy day?
spread
The caretaker’s guide to‘The First Hellos’
The caretaker’s guide to‘The First Hellos’
This book was designed as part of the Undergraduate Professional Diploma Program for the academic year 2013-2014 under the project Katha: If I were Sky, If I were Story Project Mentors: Srivi Kalyan, Kavita Arvind, Meera Curam