The kids at Shanthinagar came together to learn more about the species that they
always longed to know. They were not given texts to read about the animals nor was there any story session
that made them to listen passively. But, they were involved through a variety of games and activities which
taught them about the wildlife and the importance of flora and fauna.
The children had a unique opportunity to play with face masks and most exciting tool
kits on frogs, tigers, monkeys and bear, designed with materials like stickers, placards, puzzles and posters
supplied by Zoo Outreach Organization, a Coimbatore-based NGO, committed to promote both wildlife
conservation and animal welfare. "Educational research indicates that people of all ages remember things best
if learning takes place through fun or an emotional experience is connected with it," says Mamata, Pratham
Volunteer, who co-ordinates the Zoo Outreach Organisation's activities in Mysore.
This learning with fun programme was designed by her for Pratham Library children
to commemorate Wildlife Week. Nataraj, Co-ordinator and Avin from COMMITS, Bangalore, organised over
250 children across six Pratham Library Centres in slums for the three-day event.
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