Today we went out for a painting competition to Bal Bhavan, Cubbon Park organised by concern India foundation. Both children and teachers were equally excited. Teachers were excited as well as anxious. What if the children forget what they had practised for past one month ? what if they are distracted by the crowd ? would they be on their best behaviour ? several such questions popped up.
The drive was long as expected in the Bangalore traffic. But surprisingly the children seemed to be enjoying the ride.We reached few minutes late.All children from several different schools were already settled and had just started.The venue had these open air cottages were the children had to settle down. There were groups based on the age. Bala and Laskhmi accompanied the younger lot; Ranga,Mihir,Saras and Ishaan whereas myself and accompanied the bigger boys; Sandeep,Sanath and Rohit.
The atmosphere was a perfect blend of elements which would have made our children anxious on a normal day. Blaring speakers,unknown people, unfamiliar place and smell.But they seemed to be immersed in their works completely unaware of anything. This made us realize how we underestimate our kids.No one would have guessed that our kids suffered from ASD and were sensitive to loud noise,unfamiliar place and people.
Rohit and Sanath finished their drawing before scheduled time. Rohith's masterstrokes had managed to capture many spectators. He seemed like a young Da Vinci at work, using both his left and right had with equal finesse. Sanath had drawn foods that he liked and had documented every food precisely with the flavour. He was then enjoying some Bollywood masala news from a Bangalore times which was lying nearby. Sandeep had meticulously drawn all details of traffic safety.
The program ended with a snacks served for the children. Surprise element was a puppet show organised for the children. The puppets swayed to the Lagaan song --Radha kaise and jale and Nagin song from and old Bollywood number. We could not sit though the complete program since we had to come back to school.
Today was a day we drenched all our five senses.
1) Sight - We saw the lush greenery in Bal Bhavan,the dancing puppets,the creativity of these special kids, toy train chugging in the park
2) Smell- We smelt the food and the snacks being served
3) Hearing - We heard the whistle of the toy train and the wind through the bamboo trees in the park.
4) Taste - We tasted the yummy cream cakes and the soft drinks
5) Touch - Although we teach the children to touch with the skin. Here the whole experience touched my heart.
I had re-lived a day in my childhood. Painting was something I loved to do everyday and I had last been to a painting competition almost 25 years back.
The drive was long as expected in the Bangalore traffic. But surprisingly the children seemed to be enjoying the ride.We reached few minutes late.All children from several different schools were already settled and had just started.The venue had these open air cottages were the children had to settle down. There were groups based on the age. Bala and Laskhmi accompanied the younger lot; Ranga,Mihir,Saras and Ishaan whereas myself and accompanied the bigger boys; Sandeep,Sanath and Rohit.
The atmosphere was a perfect blend of elements which would have made our children anxious on a normal day. Blaring speakers,unknown people, unfamiliar place and smell.But they seemed to be immersed in their works completely unaware of anything. This made us realize how we underestimate our kids.No one would have guessed that our kids suffered from ASD and were sensitive to loud noise,unfamiliar place and people.
Rohit and Sanath finished their drawing before scheduled time. Rohith's masterstrokes had managed to capture many spectators. He seemed like a young Da Vinci at work, using both his left and right had with equal finesse. Sanath had drawn foods that he liked and had documented every food precisely with the flavour. He was then enjoying some Bollywood masala news from a Bangalore times which was lying nearby. Sandeep had meticulously drawn all details of traffic safety.
The program ended with a snacks served for the children. Surprise element was a puppet show organised for the children. The puppets swayed to the Lagaan song --Radha kaise and jale and Nagin song from and old Bollywood number. We could not sit though the complete program since we had to come back to school.
Today was a day we drenched all our five senses.
1) Sight - We saw the lush greenery in Bal Bhavan,the dancing puppets,the creativity of these special kids, toy train chugging in the park
2) Smell- We smelt the food and the snacks being served
3) Hearing - We heard the whistle of the toy train and the wind through the bamboo trees in the park.
4) Taste - We tasted the yummy cream cakes and the soft drinks
5) Touch - Although we teach the children to touch with the skin. Here the whole experience touched my heart.
I had re-lived a day in my childhood. Painting was something I loved to do everyday and I had last been to a painting competition almost 25 years back.
Nice blog and nice to see the enthusiasm of Children. I don't remember when i painted last time, seems to be ages ago!
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