Pencilbricks imparts life skills through storybooks
Hyderabad: A human brain develops during the first 8 years after birth. Yes, you read that right. As experts say, this duration can build a foundation for future learning, health, and success in life. Therefore, teaching life skills at this age could benefit children in their future. The term “life skills” may be new to […]
Hyderabad: A human brain develops during the first 8 years after birth. Yes, you read that right. As experts say, this duration can build a foundation for future learning, health, and success in life. Therefore, teaching life skills at this age could benefit children in their future. The term “life skills” may be new to but it involves being positive, listening, or speaking effectively, and problem-solving.
Though the skills are easily taught, children from vulnerable backgrounds usually are not exposed. However, Pencilbricks foundation, a non-governmental organisation does the job. They foster children from challenging communities and empower them with life skills through storybooks. They have created a set of resources for teachers, parents, and children of ages 7-13 years to be aware of the skills through stories they can relate to, practice through activities, and apply in their daily lives.
Susmita Kandadai, co-founder of Pencilbricks, says the stories have characters that a child can relate to being with, and also provides conceptual understanding. The activities in the books help the child to relate with the characters.
Furthermore, when these stories are read aloud for a class, the child develops a curiosity to be interested and learn the skill at the same time. The content in the books also help to build on complementary strategies to engage, adds Susmita, a former Teach for India fellow.
Speaking to Telangana Today, Susmita said, the books will be accessible to teachers and students and we are looking to get these books translated into 7 languages with the help of 10 volunteers (Telugu, Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Gujarati, Malayalam & Odiya)
Based out of Pune, Pencilbricks foundation works with teachers and students of ages from 3 to 22 years across four major cities, Pune, Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad. Supporting teachers with life skills, pedagogy and resources is what Pencil bricks believes in.
In addition to teaching life skills, Pencilbricks also helps youngsters with internships. Sharing the story of Saif, one of the interns at Pencilbricks, Susmita said that the Saif’s flair for writing has fetched him the internship in the their content team when pandemic threw challenges at his family as both his parents were daily wagers.
On being asked about the impact, she says, the foundation has impacted 430+ students & 7 teachers so far who have access to life skills resources & pedagogy, assessments & activities. 3 in 5 children can now apply and reflect upon the skills learned.
“My entire class enjoyed the storybook a lot and the kids who struggle to read independently turned out to be the most excited to actually complete the apron activity which was extremely heartening to see.”
– Grade 6 Teacher, Low-Income private school
Meet the Team
Pencilbricks foundation is backed by Hrishikesh Patil, Co-founder, who designs the programmes and also a former Teach for India fellow, Writer Rishabh Khaneja, and Illustrator Trupti Bhingare.
“I am very grateful to my team, who motivate us and keep us grounded and take us a step closer to the vision each day,” concludes Susmita, Co-founder and handles programme execution.
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