442 chapter 47
ACTIVITY:
CHILDREN WHO HAVE DIFFICULTY UNDERSTANDING
In many communities, a child who is mentally slow, has an especially difficult time.
Other children may make fun of him for not being as quick as they are, or for not being
able to understand, follow, or remember things as easily as they can. They may not
realize that this child has the same need for friendship, play, and respect as they do.
This activity is designed to help children gain more appreciation of both the needs
and possibilities of the child who is mentally slow. They will explore possible ways
to help the child to feel a part of their group, and to learn new things at his or her
own speed.
Talk with the children
You may want to start the activity by asking the children questions such as:
• Do you know a child who doesn’t seem to understand or remember things as
well as others her age?
• Does this child play much with other children?
• How do other children treat this child?
• How do you think it would feel if you had a similar difficulty?
Games and activities
Begin with games and activities that help the children discover what it may feel like
to have difficulty understanding, and to be unfairly blamed for that difficulty. Then the
children can look for ways to help a person learn that are easier, friendlier, and more
effective.
A GAME TO START WITH: ‘ENGLEFLIP’
(‘Engleflip’ is a nonsense word, but let us pretend that it means ‘Stand up’.)
1. Ask one child in the
group to ‘engleflip’.
2. Say it louder.
Get angry.
3. Ask several other
children.
4. Now help the
children
understand what
you mean by
showing them,
assisting them,
or gently
explaining.
Disabled village Children
After the activity, discuss...
• How did you feel when you could
not understand the teacher?
• Was it right for the teacher to get
angry? Did it help?
• Did the teacher finally do it
better? In what ways?
• In what ways might your
difficulty with ‘engleflip’ be
similar to that of a child who
has trouble understanding things?