TRAINING ACTIVITIES Building the Foundation: Peace and Conflict Education in Early Childhood Development Programs Project Implemented in Partnership between Child Institute of Al-Quds University & Meridian International Center 2008

MODULE THREE: Everyone Counts, Everyone Matters Learning Objectives: First Objective: To introduce children to basic ideas of democracy (using age-appropriate language and concepts) Second Objective: To strengthen children’s ability to engage in fair play Third Objective: To strengthen children’s ability to appreciate participation in decision-making

Activity Duration: minutes Materials Required: Drawing paper, crayons, construction paper, other arts/crafts materials

Activity No. 1 Group Work First, Second & Third Objectives Engage children in groups of 2-3 in creation of an artwork, in telling a story about the artwork, and in deciding how they will share it with others. Teacher describes how we accomplish things by working together. Listening to each other, even if we do not like what we hear. What does it mean that every one counts?

Activity No. 2 Type of Mix & Interaction Fair Play & Equal Opportunities Second Objective Duration: 20 minutes x 6 sessions Materials: Outdoor sports equipment; age-appropriate indoor games Engage children in cooperative outdoor and indoor games, independent (observed by teacher) and teacher-facilitated). Teacher notices events where children engaged in fair or not fair play.

Continue… Discuss in large group what does fair mean to them. Teacher provides examples of when she/ he were not fair. Ask children to come up with own fair and not fair scenarios.

Special Activities Democracy & Concepts of Majority/Minority Draw two big circles on the ground outdoors. Tell children that you are going to ask them questions that they can answer either as yes or no. Children answers yes enter “Green” circle. Children do not enter “Red” circle.

Continue… Examples of Questions: Do you like oranges, apples, carrots, cucumbers? Should you hit someone who hits you? Is it okay to hit someone if they make you mad? Count the number of children who answer yes or no to each question. Then ask children if we can only buy one kind of fruit to eat in the classroom should it be oranges or apples. The children will usually call out what each one likes. But then teacher should start discussion on only 1 fruit. if 20 children like oranges and only 5 kids like apples, then which fruit should the class buy. Why, because more agreed that they wanted oranges. Conclusion: we have to accept decisions that reflect what the majority (more) want.

Activity No. 3 Diversity & Respecting Privacy (Citizenship) First, Second & Third Objectives Duration: 20 minutes x 3 sessions Materials: Hakayat Simsim video has a number of TV episodes that show scenes with children with special needs in the classroom, playing, etc. books prepared by Tamer and ECRC storybooks about the environment.

Activity No. 3 Diversity & Respecting Privacy (Citizenship) First, Second & Third Objectives Engage students in dialogue about citizenship (e.g., responsibility for the environment, responsibility for caring for more vulnerable children, etc.). Ask the children to tell stories about what they do in their own lives, such as helping younger siblings or parents in the house, taking care of their environment (e.g., throwing paper in the trash or reusing paper and other items, etc.). Train children to ask for a permission to use something that does not belong to them.

Continue… Show the children how often they are being good citizens and what more they can do. fill up a pitcher of water… Say this is the only water available for all of them… How much will everyone be able to drink? … Should some get more than others should, why/why not? … What would happen if someone spilled all of the water?

Activity No. 4 Practicing Citizenship & its Boundaries Duration: minutes per planning session; variable for implementation of activity. Materials: Dependent on activity and similar to the previous activity.

Activity Practicing Citizenship First, Second & Third Objectives This activity will be planned as a family/community activity related to citizenship issue selected by the children. Create a list of activities that illustrate good citizenship with children such as keeping the classroom clean, keeping the neighborhood clean. We start with family life by having the children describe their living environment. Number of devices, TV, bedrooms, etc. How do they share? How do they take care of “joint” property? What would happen if they were not allowed to use the bathroom or bedroom? Why do they need to keep these places clean and organized? This activity should involve and share with the parents.

Activity No. 5 Practicing Positive Citizenship Role Duration: minutes for role-play. Materials: Dependent on the role.

Activity Practicing Positive Citizenship Role First, Second & Third Objectives Engage, Role-pay of citizenship. Role of teacher as a facilitator of the activity. Children will say and describe what they have learned from the role-play. Discussion with the children about the roles played.

END OF MODULE THREE