Unboxing Creativity: SMART Learning Kits for Sama-Bajau Learners
What fun it is for learners and teachers alike to find that learning to think creatively outside the box is delivered through simple materials that come in a literal box!
With support from development partner Consuelo Zobel Alger Foundation, in cooperation with The Learning Child (TLC) School in Muntinlupa City, Cartwheel Foundation acquired 17 SMART Learning Kits in September for use of each of the learners currently enrolled in the Education and Child Development (ECD) Program for the Sama-Bajau community residing in Brgy. San Dionisio, Parañaque City.
Sample contents of the SMART Learning Kits designed, prepared, and assembled by TLC teachers (Photo credits: The Learning Child School)
SMART Learning Kits are handmade and thoughtfully designed by TLC’s Preschool and Special Education Teams. It is a learning packet of age-appropriate and teacher-approved activities, targeting multiple intelligences through art, play, science, and literature. It contains engaging, tactile, and kinesthetic activities designed for young children.
The parents’ guide, originally in English, has been translated to Tagalog and contextualized by Cartwheel for ease of use of the Sama-Bajau teacher as she guides the learners through the activities.
Rodymar, 5 years old, one of the Sama-Bajau learners, creates his own self-portrait in one of the guided activities featured in their SMART Learning Kits
Self-portrait art created by Rodymar and his fellow learners in one of the activities on self-awareness featured in the learning kits
Learners of the ECD Program for Sama-Bajau are between 3-14 years old, mostly with no experience of formal schooling in the past. Community teachers have reported high engagement among said learners who have expressed their enjoyment in the use of varying materials, with some being supplied in the kit and others being sourced from around their own homes.
The contents of the learning kits encourage the use of various art forms such as painting, coloring, sculpting, music-making. Apart from helping achieve the children’s academic goals in learning relevant concepts, the arts allow and make space for creative play. Much scientific research shows that play helps develop imagination, dexterity, as well as physical, cognitive, and emotional strengths. Continued growth in these areas are beneficial to any child, whatever their context may be.
In its simplicity and ingenuity, the SMART Learning Kits have become exciting and effective aids to building a regular rhythm for continued learning and development among Sama-Bajau young learners even during the pandemic.
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This initiative was made possible through collaboration with Consuelo Zobel Alger Foundation and their Life Skills Plus (LS+) Program. Its aim is to provide learners with relevant learning materials to ensure their sustained access to education. At the same time, it also aims to provide children and youth with interventions to build their knowledge, skills, and competencies to be empowered individuals.