The facilitator has a variety of factors to consider in determining which activities from Compasito to use. Most important of these considerations are:
1. Your children.
Before selecting activities, the facilitator first needs to know the children involved.
a. What are their levels of development, interests, concerns and learning styles?
b. Are there conflicts and problems within the group?
c. Do these children face particular issues or problems within the community?
d. How much do the children already know about human rights? Some Compasito activities assume prior introduction to the CRC, for example.
However, don’t feel you must wait to use Compasito activities until you know the answers to all these questions. Often playing activities is the most efficient way to learn about your group!
2. Your learning objective.
Some activities can be run to increase general understanding of human rights or even just for fun, but most can and should be directed to themes that are close to the children or are an issue in the group, the community or the world. All Compasito activities are good for raising
awareness and actions about all human rights. They are also organised so as to allow focus on specific themes that connect between children and current challenges to human rights across Europe:
3. A learning sequence.
Lasting knowledge, skills, values and attitudes are never achieved in a single activity. Select activities that form a series, whether based on a particular human rights theme or the development of certain competencies. This series might extend over a month, a school term or even a whole year. You may want to choose activities that fit into subject areas of the school curriculum or that address current issues in the group or community.
In every case, seek a balance of activity types and make the needs of children your first priority. Methodological diversity not only makes activities more fun, but also enables children to learn through their senses and emotions as well as their minds. For this reason, Compasito offers you a wide choice of techniques and methodologies (e.g. discussion, debate, storytelling, simulation, drama, board games, artistic activities, active group competition). To further assist selection, you can filter all the activities in Compasito here.
