January 21, 2025

Kids are the Teachers

Throughout middle school and high school it was very common for older kids to be pared with younger kids for various activities. I always dreaded this. I didn’t know how to act around children and I thought the they had the ability to sense my fear. But over the past few years I’ve overcome that hesitancy and realized I enjoy spending time with young kids more than almost any other demographic, they’re basically what I aspire to be: carefree, constantly curious, and containing boundless energy. Our visit to Parikrma highlighted these universal traits of children.

After a fascinating opening assembly and a brief presentation about the GNO our GCIL group was split into small groups and we dispersed into various classrooms. I entered a room filled with six and seven year olds, sat in the front of the room with my fellow students, and began to answer questions. The questions came slowly at first, but once the children’s confidence grew they came one after another. What’s our favorite color? What’s our favorite fruit? What’s our favorite animal? What’s our favorite vehicle? What’s our favorite vegetable? What’s our favorite vehicle (again)? We were able to ask questions as well, it was fun, but I still felt that divide. I still wasn’t sure how to carry myself, until the bell rang and everyone rushed outside.

The dirt courtyard that had previously been filled with rows of sitting children during morning assembly was now a mad ground with children running around, spinning in circles, or jumping on each others back. I watched in fascination, wanting to join but still to intimidate by the kids to asks to join, until one brave boy approached me as asked if I wanted to play hide and seek. I immediately responded yes, he smiled then turned away and took off. I ran after him through the swarm of children.

Within minutes I had a mob of kids taunting that I couldn’t catch them. Everywhere I lunged they would disperse and I had to choose one to chase down. As I get comfortable with them and they grew comfortable with me the game slowly changed. When I caught one I scooped them up, tickled them, then set them down and went after another. When I grew tired and needed a breather I would sink to my knees, pant dramatically, and they would swarm me, tickling me into submission until I lunged again and the game started again.

I knew certain facts about this kids from the earlier presentation: all are first generation students; many struggled to receive enough nutrients at home, which Parikrma combats by supplying them with 86% of required daily nutrients; and many come from lower castes and might have been ridiculed at other schools. But as I played with them I wasn’t thinking about any of these facts, I was simply reveling in the fun of the experience. And as I write this those still aren’t the things that come to mind about the children. Instead I think about how they are what I want to be: excited to learn, welcoming of new people and experiences, brave in approaching unknowns, and eager to experience the world.

By,
Stella