In the Kids World

Writer-designer Dipalle Parmar was coming to terms with a bitter divorce when a friend suggested she pursue the one activity she is best at – interacting with kids. Today,at 40,she is a proud mother and a conductor of a unique integrated learning programme for kids between the age group of two and 10. Parmar has also set up Sonny’s Art Lab,a space which will nurture little creative minds,at Hermes Heritage Society in Yerwada. “I had always wanted to have a child; this perhaps strengthened my bond with children,” Parmar gushes. Her life is all but dominated by children — she writes fables,conducts workshops and is a popular ‘aunt’ to them.

“Schools do not follow a series in teaching. It is surprising the way a History class begins just after a Mathematics class in school. With fragmentation in the form of teaching,the child seldom gets to learn a single subject well,” explains Parmar. Her current batch of classes,called ‘Story Glory’,will run till April 28 in the form of a series of events that will keep the kids busy the entire day. “We start off with umbrella painting and clay-making in the morning,followed by story-telling. A character from the story will be painted in the next session,” informs Parmar. Later,a small skit will nurture the acting talent among the kids,followed by a dance and music session. “I begin my sessions by asking kids to collect five stones and five leaves from the playground. This gives them a hint of numbers,geography,shapes and nature at the same time. They realise the connection between every subject,” she says.

Though she gets offers to conduct such workshops among older kids as well,Parmar likes being among tiny tots. “I have a magical passion for children. Older kids cannot be moulded the way younger ones can be,” she says with a smile. Parmar fondly remembers the best compliment she ever received. “I am a casual dresser when I interact with children. Once a young girl came up to me and told me that I do not look like a teacher because I jump and hop around with them.” She always comes to the level of the kids and starts from what they can do. “I do not teach,I only inspire,” Parmar says. Her “rapport” with the little ones explains it all. If she has to teach them some dance steps,she tries them out first. “Children pick up positive energy very fast. Just a spark in their imagination can do wonders.” She has tried conducting workshops for teachers as well. But Parmar’s comfort level lies with the innocence of little children. “Teachers can write a whole novel on their daily encounters with children,” she says.