~An Interactive Children’s Workshop organized in East Delhi school as a part of Honeywell Safe Schools Program~
~As per the baseline study for the Honeywell Safe Schools Program, 20% of parents surveyed fear eve teasing and 19% fear bullying as possible threats for their children today~
~On the occasion of Children’s Day, SEEDS celebrated the rights of every child and the importance of giving each one a happy childhood~
New Delhi, India: SEEDS (Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society) as a part of its Honeywell Safe Schools Program today on the occasion of Children’s Day organized an interactive workshop to promote emotional well-being amongst children. The workshop was organized at EDMC Primary School, Railway colony Mandawali, East Delhi.
As per the baseline study for the Honeywell Safe Schools Program, 20% of parents surveyed fear eve teasing and 19% fear bullying as the greatest risk for their children. Adding on to that, children today face multiple issues on a daily basis, be it exam pressure, peer pressure, depression, or other psychological and economic factors. Thus making emotional well-being as important as physical well-being of children. Such child protection issues are a critical part of school safety. Yet, they are often hard to express.
“Emotionally safe spaces are as important as physically safe school environments. Building this up is a much needed part of reducing risks. The Honeywell Safe Schools program takes these aspects into account to create a resilient community,” said Naveen Shukla from SEEDS.
This Children’s Day, SEEDS’ Interactive Workshop takes an opportunity to build emotional safety among children. The workshop used a combination of visual art, dance, music, drama and creative writing therapies (with activities like Introduction through gestures; Just Like Me; Colored Candy Go Around; Dancing Train; Circle Dance and Closing Circle) to enable children to explore and fully express various aspects of their emotional experiences. Art-based therapy sessions help children overcome fear and speak up against abuse and violence. The Interactive Workshop laid emphasis on a holistic safety approach which must include innovative tools to encourage behavioural change.
“The need to address children’s psychosocial issues has become important. This Children’s Day, we took out some time to celebrate the need for emotional well-being. This interactive workshop with SEEDS is helping spread the message that it is essential to create an environment where they are happy, confident and self-aware.” said Pramod Verma, Principal, EDMC Primary School, Railway colony Mandawali, East Delhi.
The spirit of Children’s Day was exemplified further through class decorations, races, painting competition as well as dance activities.
A second round of this workshop initiative will be taken this Saturday – November 17, through a Honeywell India volunteer engagement program. Promoting the spirit of volunteerism, they will be helping run similar playful activities at EDMC Primary Co-Ed School, Geeta Colony Block-2.