Children As Citizens - An Experiential Journey
We have been running In the 'Children As Citizens' program, we explore three integral components: Children, City, and Citizen. The essence of the program lies in understanding what children can contribute to their city as responsible citizens. The program unfolds in a sequence: children first gain an understanding of themselves, then their city, and eventually, these elements combine to foster a sense of cultural and civic responsibility.
Children as Citizens as a program focuses on integrating a child's potential as a thoughtful citizen, by helping them learn about the cultural, social and civic aspects of their city of residence, which in this case is Lucknow. Along with helping children re-look at the city, surroundings, and environment with a new lens, the program also looked at art as an expression of one’s feelings, thoughts and intuitions.
For instance, Aradhya shared a story about how a seemingly ordinary bike ride in Gomti Nagar turned into an adventure when she and her brother nearly fell off their bicycle, only to be saved by a kind couple who appeared just in time. To Aradhya, they were like secret superheroes, demonstrating the power of small acts of kindness in her city. Israar narrated an experience from a day spent with his uncle, who works as a driver. During a visit near the Imambara, he noticed the sky filled with kites. His uncle explained that kite flying is a beloved tradition in the area, so much so that it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t know how to fly a kite. This story reflected the cultural vibrancy of the city and the strong sense of identity among its residents.
Children as Citizens as a program focuses on integrating a child's potential as a thoughtful citizen, by helping them learn about the cultural, social and civic aspects of their city of residence, which in this case is Lucknow. Along with helping children re-look at the city, surroundings, and environment with a new lens, the program also looked at art as an expression of one’s feelings, thoughts and intuitions.
For instance, Aradhya shared a story about how a seemingly ordinary bike ride in Gomti Nagar turned into an adventure when she and her brother nearly fell off their bicycle, only to be saved by a kind couple who appeared just in time. To Aradhya, they were like secret superheroes, demonstrating the power of small acts of kindness in her city. Israar narrated an experience from a day spent with his uncle, who works as a driver. During a visit near the Imambara, he noticed the sky filled with kites. His uncle explained that kite flying is a beloved tradition in the area, so much so that it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t know how to fly a kite. This story reflected the cultural vibrancy of the city and the strong sense of identity among its residents.
Through these stories, the children not only expressed their personal experiences but also demonstrated a growing awareness of their surroundings and their roles as citizens of Lucknow. The puppet shows became a medium for them to share their unique perspectives, offering a glimpse into how they see their city and their place within it.
Many more stories emerged from the children, each reflecting how they perceive their city and their relationships with fellow citizens. These stories revealed the values they admire in others and the lessons they learn from their interactions. Building on this, we explored the different types of citizens in our society. Through a questionnaire, the children assessed what kind of citizens they are: Passive, Engaged, Informed, or Active.
From acquainting the children with Lucknow, exploring their monuments like Bada Imambada, Sibtainabad, Clock Tower, they re-looked at everything with a new lens. Not only that, they also went on to explore various Performing Arts of the city like Kathak and its various Mudraayein and what they denote. The children explored various expressions, art forms, crafts that the city is home to. From various parts, people and places of Lucknow, the children understood the connection between themselves in the city. From the objects that their houses have like a Mathni, a wooden box, or simply a calligraphy font that is dear to Lucknow.
“Our children often work and grow in silos. But experiences and programs like these bring them together and help them collaborate, find problems and solutions together”, said Lakshmi Kaul, the principal of KK Academy on the journey of the program.
Many more stories emerged from the children, each reflecting how they perceive their city and their relationships with fellow citizens. These stories revealed the values they admire in others and the lessons they learn from their interactions. Building on this, we explored the different types of citizens in our society. Through a questionnaire, the children assessed what kind of citizens they are: Passive, Engaged, Informed, or Active.
From acquainting the children with Lucknow, exploring their monuments like Bada Imambada, Sibtainabad, Clock Tower, they re-looked at everything with a new lens. Not only that, they also went on to explore various Performing Arts of the city like Kathak and its various Mudraayein and what they denote. The children explored various expressions, art forms, crafts that the city is home to. From various parts, people and places of Lucknow, the children understood the connection between themselves in the city. From the objects that their houses have like a Mathni, a wooden box, or simply a calligraphy font that is dear to Lucknow.
“Our children often work and grow in silos. But experiences and programs like these bring them together and help them collaborate, find problems and solutions together”, said Lakshmi Kaul, the principal of KK Academy on the journey of the program.
This August, we also put together an year end exhibition for the CAC journey. It was called ‘Children As Citizens - An Experiential Journey’ which was a specially curated walk tour of the whole program, its outputs, outcomes. The children who were part of the program were the one who led the exhibit and walked everyone through it.
Artful Reasoning, Power of Perspective, Problem Finding and The Magic of Metaphors, were the focused learning outcomes for these children. The exhibit had several attractions and highlights from their year-long journey. From the various facets of Lucknow they touched upon the various monuments, performing arts, crafts the city hosts. The show was run and upheld by the children of KK Academy and the relentless team of Swatantra Talim. The event went on from 10 am until 4 pm, in three slots. It was a visual, and engaging experience for all the guests, from the children, their families, friends and supporters of the organization and various art and culture lovers. The ad reel on Lucknow that the children starred in was one of the highlights of the event. The rack dolls they made, that represented several sides of Lucknow like ‘Adakaari, ‘Nazaaqat’ were loved too. Their was a wall that explored the civic and social awareness the children picked during the program, the posters they created, the graffiti they did for animals, and for a kinder world.
Artful Reasoning, Power of Perspective, Problem Finding and The Magic of Metaphors, were the focused learning outcomes for these children. The exhibit had several attractions and highlights from their year-long journey. From the various facets of Lucknow they touched upon the various monuments, performing arts, crafts the city hosts. The show was run and upheld by the children of KK Academy and the relentless team of Swatantra Talim. The event went on from 10 am until 4 pm, in three slots. It was a visual, and engaging experience for all the guests, from the children, their families, friends and supporters of the organization and various art and culture lovers. The ad reel on Lucknow that the children starred in was one of the highlights of the event. The rack dolls they made, that represented several sides of Lucknow like ‘Adakaari, ‘Nazaaqat’ were loved too. Their was a wall that explored the civic and social awareness the children picked during the program, the posters they created, the graffiti they did for animals, and for a kinder world.
