434 chapter 47
Putting our new understanding into practice
Once the children have developed a greater awareness of the needs and
possibilities of disabled children through discussion, games, role plays, and stories,
they can begin to put their new understanding into practice.
Ask the children if they know any child in the village (or in a neighboring village) who
is disabled or has special difficulties in any way.
Then discuss ways that the children might be able to help each disabled child
become as happy, capable, and self-reliant as possible. The children can list their
suggestions for each child. Later, after getting to know the child and her family better,
they can change and add to their ideas.
If the disabled child is a brother or sister of one of the children in the learning
group, starting to do things with the child and the family may be fairly easy. But if
none of the children is related to the disabled child, they must be careful in the way
they offer their help. Probably only two or three children should make the first visit,
perhaps with the help of a teacher, health worker, or rehabilitation worker.
The children, with suggestions from the disabled child and her family, will need to
figure out ways that they can help most. However, the following list of possibilities may
give you some ideas:
• Become friends—one or more children can become close companions,
playmates, and friends of the disabled child.
• Visit the child at home—regularly!
• Help the family by doing errands, ‘babysitting’ or taking the child on outings.
• Figure out a way to help the child get to and from school.
• At school, one or more children can become
the ‘buddies’ or helpers of the disabled child,
making sure her special needs are met.
• If it is impossible for the disabled child
to go to school, children may be able
to organize an after-school teaching
program at the child’s home. Ask the
teacher to help plan this.
• Figure out ways to include the child in
games.
• Make helpful toys for the child and play
together with her. (See p. 467 to 476.)
REMEMBER—
ALWAYS BE FRIENDLY
• Make a ‘rehabilitation playground’ or ‘playground for all children’. Take
disabled children regularly to the playground and play together with them there.
Disabled village Children