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Kids prove they can answer this, balance that

Who knew learning could be so fun? Kiwanians mix questions, games, and other educational experiences into a day at the park for children who have disabilities.

A child catches a lollipop in her mouth and then attempts to “pin the tail on the donkey.”

Children learn quickly when given the chance to complete tasks and hands-on activities. So when members of the Kiwanis Club of Dumbea, New Caledonia, decided to focus their work on disabled children, they knew exactly how to reach out and make a difference—all while teaching and having fun.

“The club carried out two actions with the children,” says club president Robert Missud. “The first was realized jointly with our sister club, the Kiwanis Club of Roto Whenua, Rotorua, in New Zealand. We offered equipment (valued at US$1,250), including a computer, kitchen supplies, sports gear, and music materials.”

The supplies benefit a class of about 10 to 12 children who learn primarily through workshops and hands-on teaching, Robert says.

About 13 club members staged the second event: a fun day in the park, complete with games and a cookout. During the event, which was set up similar to an obstacle course, children alternated between playing games and answering questions about New Caledonia (geography, fauna, history) in quiz-show style.

The games were, of course, a hit. Some favorites included catching a dangling lollipop in the mouth, playing Pin the Tail on the Donkey, and racing while balancing a ball on a spoon held in the mouth.