THE CROWNS WE WEAR
Everyone sits in a circle. Each one has a paper crown on the head with directions for others to follow. No one is allowed to see their own crown. The crown directions could be like:
ALWAYS LISTEN TO ME
SAY YES TO EVERYTHING I SAY
SAY NO TO ALL MY SUGGESTIONS
DON’T LOOK AT ME
JUST KEEP SMILING AT ME WHEN I SPEAK
ASK ME TO BE QUIET WHEN I SPEAK
Give the group a simple topic to discuss and ask the children to follow the crowned directions whilst interacting with the one who is speaking at that moment.
YOU CAN GIVE TOPICS LIKE: (topic will depend on the Bal Vikas age group)
Is it always good to tell the absolute truth?
Who are the ones that need help?
What is a good character?
How do we see God in everything?
Let the group discuss till it becomes obvious that they are following the crowned directions on every speaker’s head. Let it last for may be for 8 to 10 minutes depending on the class size.
Analysis:
1. Ask each one to guess what they think is written on their crown. Once everyone has had a turn let them remove their crowns and read them.
2. Question how each one felt about others reacting to them when they were talking.
3. Bring out the concepts of Respect, listening kindly and attentively, being non-judgmental.
4. Talk to the children how each of us is God. Should we then feel anger, hatred, and inferior to others, superior to others, disrespectful or ridicule others? Will God do all that? If we are God we need to act like God!! Follow Baba’s footsteps in life. Be like the rose which speaks silently in the language of fragrance.