Over the past few weeks, our teachers have conducted a series of activities with the children to raise awareness about people with Down Syndrome. Through these meaningful learning opportunities, the children gained an understanding of the challenges faced by people with Down Syndrome and brainstormed ways to demonstrate respect, care and kindness to them.
As part of our experiential learning activities, our Mother Tongue teachers engaged the children in fine and gross motor activities to raise awareness on the physical difficulties an individual with Down Syndrome experiences. As the children passed around a ball using a sock over their hand and engaged in a relay game with their legs strapped, they come to understand that it is not as easy for people with Down Syndrome to move around and do simple actions that they can easily do on their own. Through this, children developed empathy and learnt that they can show care and kindness by being understanding and helping others in need!
As people with Down Syndrome face developmental delays, our teachers designed a game where children had to count dots on the screen with loud music in the background and visual distractions. Our children persevered through the task and learnt that people with Down Syndrome face learning difficulties and counting dots on the screen might feel difficult to them even without additional distractions. As they pondered on their collective experience, the children suggested that to make learning easier for those in need, we should be more patient and listen to them when they face challenges! Through the activities planned, the children realised that although they are small, together with their friends and teachers, all of them can make a difference by showing care and kindness to others.
