Project: The Gift of Self
I have been asked by parents and educators about constructive ideas, activities and methods for enhancing a child's understanding of the value of self, and of acceptance, not tolerance. This craft exercise works wonderfully, particularly as a classroom or group activity.
- Each child must get a box, of any size, and gather items depicting and descriptive of who she/he is, and how he/she wants to present to the world. Photographs of the individual, or of any person associated with the individual cannot be used, so as to not readily give away her/his identity.
- Once all desired items have been found and included (at least 15), the box is then wrapped in any decorative fashion imaginable. Encourage excessive creativity!
- The boxes are then brought to a group setting, with no notes, markings or signs revealing who each box belongs to.
- Grab-bag style, each child must pick a box that is not hers or his, open it and reveal the contents to the entire group of children gathered.
- The challenge is for the group to try and identify the maker of the box, by the contents alone.
The Concept Advanced
Skin is like the wrapping on a present. The real gift lies within. Get past the wrapping, and open the gift of those around you.