Our MOP site at Chimbel is visited by children across the age groups of 4-14 years, from various parts of the Indiranagar settlement. There are three weekly sessions that are attended by changing groups of children, coming whenever they are able to.
In the library sessions, we noticed that children sometimes meet for the first time, some are close friends or siblings, while others most often meet only in the library, as they may be staying in different parts of the settlement or go to different schools. Among the children who visit the library there are children who may not feel as included as others, either because of a lack of reading skills or confidence in expression, caste or other differences. Siblings or friends tend to group together. When meeting children of other MOP sites at an exposure visit, the children tended to group site wise. So having everyone to feel included and being together in the library, is something we would like to bring into our practice.
This idea of Social Inclusion was touched upon through a series of Read Alouds during the months of June to August 2019 as part of a theme on Social Inclusion. We tried a book based activity at the end of August, where children browsed through some of those books which were part of the Read Aloud collection on the theme. While most of the children may not have attended the Read Aloud session on that book, they were asked to read the story, as a group and share one learning from the story. The children worked in 3 small groups of 3-4 children each and discussed a book of their choice. A short description of each story which was discussed and the learning of that story shared by the children are below.
Be a Friend by Salina Yoon
This is a book that speaks of a boy, Dennis, who does not get included in a group of friends because he is the only one who communicates through mime and the others do not understand him. Until he is noticed by a girl, Joy, who also understands mime. By being his friend, she brings the ‘mime boy’ into the larger circle of friends. Anjum Patel (Std 5) and the children in her group who discussed this book, felt that if someone communicates differently or is too shy to enter the library, we need to be open to including them in the library.
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
This book about a girl with a long name, speaks of how each one’s name means so much to a person. Chrysanthemum is initially hurt by the other school children with much shorter names, who make fun of her. Until one day a teacher helps the students to accept it as a wonderful name. Yasmeen (Middle School) and the children discussing this book, felt that it is not good to make fun of another’s name, as they would feel hurt.
The Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen
This story is of a lion who leaves the library because he roars (against the library rules) to inform that the librarian has fallen down and needs medical help. Because the people at the library had grown fond of him, they await his return and when he is found, they warmly welcome him back to the library. The book discussion was led by Naziya (Std 8) and the children felt it was okay to change a rule in such an emergency.
From this book discussion activity, we learnt that children who get left out of a group can be included by reaching out to them. Also respecting everyone’s name is important. And finally, rules are to be followed while being open to changing or improving them to include children who participate in the library.