The Creative Learning and Expression Program supports children in understanding, expressing, and evolving their sense of self while developing essential skills and forming meaningful connections with their surroundings.
It nurtures critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, and empathy, equipping children with perspectives and learning they can apply across different interests and everyday life. Rooted in an inquiry-based approach, the program engages children in activities that encourage them to explore their thoughts, aspirations, and ideas through art, storytelling, and hands-on experiences.
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The program includes four components: Creative Futures Playground, The Writer in Me, Art & the Self, and The Learner Press & Showcase. These components can be facilitated independently or in an integrated manner.
This page provides an overview of the program, along with an example of a creation from each component. For a more detailed understanding, please reach out to me.
Role: Program Design and Implementation, Resource Creation
COMPONENTS & FEATURED CREATIONS
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Creative Futures Playground
Creative Futures Playground offers theme-based workshops that blend self-expression, mixed-media art, imagination, and performance activities.
Creation: Card game to solve India's challenges
Role: Workshop Design and Facilitation
Slogan Impact is a card game created during a workshop with children aged 7–9. The workshop involved discussions on challenges faced by India, such as unemployment, poverty, and pollution. Children brainstormed solutions and expressed them through slogans, which were then transformed into mixed-media posters. These posters became part of a card game where players match solution-based slogans with problem scenario cards. The game’s name and rules were also developed collaboratively with the children.
Now played within the school community, Slogan Impact is available as a game set for other child development initiatives and community spaces interested in using it.
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The Writer in Me
The Writer in Me is the reading and writing component of the program, offering resources such as prompts, a curated library list, and guided activities to nurture a love for reading, writing, and LSWR skills in English. It is designed for children at all stages of their literacy journey.
Creation: Collection of short stories and poems
Role: Session Design and Facilitation
A Little Girl Named India is a collection of short stories and poems by children aged 8-11, where they personified India as a girl their age. Through this imaginative exercise, the children explored how India might look, her travels, values, and personality traits, reflecting their aspirations and hopes for their country.
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This collection was shared as an online zine and podcast with the school community and is available to read or listen to upon request.
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Art & the Self
Art and the Self introduces children to a diverse range of art styles. Rather than focusing solely on technique, this component encourages children to discover their own modes of expression within distinct art styles. Through reflective prompts, children are guided to explore the characteristics of each art form, leading to the creation of original, personal works.​
Creation: A catalogue of artworks by 70 children, created for customised merchandise to support fundraising efforts.
Role: Facilitation, Curation, Merchandise Design
Over three months, I facilitated a series of art sessions for children aged 6–11, introducing them to regional and global artists and their styles. The sessions explored the theme of endangered animals and the natural world, with children reflecting on their connection to nature.
The project culminated in over 300 unique artworks, which were showcased in an art gallery and compiled into a catalogue. To further engage the community, children took part in fundraising efforts through a customised merchandise ordering webpage, allowing parents to order products featuring their child’s artwork.
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The Learner Press
The Learning Press focuses on sharing children's creativity with a broader audience through online and print publications, created with children. The objective is to empower children by valuing their creations and encouraging them to engage in creative and literary activities.
Creation: An activity book created with children
Role: Curation, Design
Finding Me is an activity book that offers a glimpse into the world of children at Kenzen School in Varanasi. It showcases their creations alongside guided prompts, featuring activities related to foraging, art, and writing.
This limited-edition book is printed on handmade paper and has been distributed within the school community. It is also available for distribution at community spaces upon request.
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5
Showcase
Showcase celebrates children's creativity and learning through curated displays and interactive events. It involves crafting a unique identity for these events and developing outreach efforts to engage a wider audience.
The Creatures and Colours Fest was a four-day event celebrating folk tales with animal characters from four different regions. The fest involved adapting these tales into diverse performance formats, including skits, musicals, stop-motion films, and puppet shows, all created by children. Each performance explored themes of friendship through the lens of these regional folk tales.​
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The event was attended by approximately 300 people and provided a platform for children to showcase their creativity and collaborative efforts.
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Creation: Creatures and Colours Fest
Role: Conceptualisation, Scriptwriting, Facilitation, Identity
COLLBORATE
The Creative Learning and Expression Program is adaptable to the needs of different schools and community spaces. Currently, components of the program are being implemented at Kenzen School, an elementary school in Varanasi, and at Kauri. In the coming months, I plan to collaborate with more child development initiatives in Varanasi and Goa, where I reside.
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If you're interested in learning more about the program or exploring opportunities to collaborate, please reach out to me at stutisareen1@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you, even if you're based outside Varanasi or Goa!
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After-School Program
Role: Curriculum Design & Implementation
The After-School Program is designed to foster holistic development by enhancing literacy, creative expression, social and emotional development, and overall well-being.
Through activities, it complements children's school learning and level-specific skill development, nurturing their natural curiosity and encouraging them to apply their learning across different areas in meaningful ways.
The program includes level-wise reading programs, storytelling and language modules, artistic expression, mindfulness practices, and fitness sessions.
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I design and curate the program, manage outreach, and train facilitators to deliver the modules effectively.