A display is something that is put out prominently so that it is readily seen by all. Apart from this, according to Tessa Thorn, the purpose of a display in the primary classroom would enable:
- To extend children’s learning
- Celebrate
- Stimulate
- Inform
- Encourage children to interact with their environment
- To be used as a learning resource
While planning for this year’s curriculum for our sessions, we had planned to set up interactive displays in all the 8 schools under the Libraries in School (LiS) Program. The reason behind this display was to meet the purpose as rightfully mentioned by Tessa Thorn and also to strengthen the children’s awareness about different kinds of books. As Library Educators, we strongly believe that the more we promote different kinds of books the more exposed the children will be to different kinds of books. One of the ways in which we decided to promote this awareness was in the form of a display of different kinds of books. The display was set-up in an accessible and interactive manner. We decided to set up this display in four schools, namely the Government Primary Schools in Panjim, Merces, and Taleigao, and Sanjay Center for Special Education, Porvorim.
Our display consisted of Pop up books, Board books, Touch and Feel books, Lift the Flap books, Pillow books, Shape books, Sound books, Handmade books, Small and Big books along with Puppet books. There were signages placed for each book to guide them to these different kinds of books.
The team recorded responses from the teachers and students from the different schools and shared their own learnings.
Stephie from Government Primary School, Merces: “The children and the teachers from the school looked at the books from the display with excitement and amazement. The children saw all the books and some sat and read a few. The Learning for the team- The school teachers were a bit doubtful about leaving the display in the classroom where the other children come to attend classes in the evening, but the children said they will take responsibility and they did. Not a single book was missing and all the things were found in place”
Deepali from Sanjay Center for Special Education: “The Chairman appreciated the display. Anita teacher mentioned that each teacher was bringing her class and together they were all viewing the display and talking about the different books. Everybody liked it. The teacher said that is highly appreciated by all the other teachers who come for the Assembly.”
Melcom from Government Primary School, Panjim: “The children loved the display very much. They liked each and every book which was there. The most loved books of all time were the Washable book, Interactive book, Pop up book and the Big book, especially the drop down book about the Human body. The display had two interactive activities, one of which was to colour a heart if they liked a book and read it. And the other activity was to create a small book of their own with the material provided. The children hung their books on the Book tree. Many children also made an effort to read the books. Teacher Rupa liked our display and also took the initiative to bring other children into the space to view the display. She also mentioned that the Assistant District Educational Inspector (ADEI) had come for the visit and he happened to pop inside the library. He appreciated the book display that was set up.”
Jewel from Government Primary School, Taleigao: “The children were excited about seeing the different kinds of books. The most liked books were the interactive books, and the pop up books. The children of 3 & 4 said that they had never seen so many different kinds of books before. The children also said that they had read the books. Graima said that she liked the bird books
Overall, our learning from this display is that children deserve the exposure to varied kinds of books and it is our responsibility to create this exposure through various means; a display being one such way.
References:
https://www.mindmeister.com/39774624/the-importance-of-display-in-the-primary-classroom?fullscreen=1
