A holiday assignment promising happiness in Dubai

HAPPY PEOPLE ... Staff and few students of Dubai's Little Flower English School strike a happy pose. - Supplied photo

Now this school really means 'Happy Holidays' when it says so. Need evidence? For that you will have to take a look at the holiday assignment they have prepared for their students of Grade 4 to Grade 6. One look at the assignment and you know there is something cute about it as a huge smiley face is seen embedded in the background of the assignment sheet!
Inspired by an Italian teacher who thought of giving an awesome holiday assignment to his students, Dubai's Little Flower English School (located in Hor Al Anz) followed suit and came up with a unique 'happy' holiday assignment.
"We have designed a holiday assignment that will bring happiness for the entire family and will also help them rethink their priorities in life," said Annie Mathew, supervisor (Primary) at the school.
Reassuring the kids not to worry about being graded, the assignment states: "These assignments, once submitted, will not be graded as at some point we need to realise that life is not a race, not a dash to the finishing point to decide the winners but a journey to be enjoyed and savoured by all."
"Kids these days live a life surrounded by gadgets and are either hooked on to TV or other electronic media for entertainment. Gone are the simple pleasures of meeting new people, going for walks, excitement of planting a sapling, gazing at cloud formations, admiring and appreciating the truly beautiful things in life which are absolutely free," Annie said.
Explaining the purpose of the assignment she said: "This holiday assignment is a humble attempt to help our kids reconnect with things that do not have price tags but are truly priceless like friendships, being kind to others, spending time with parents, appreciating nature and to develop empathy for all living things and the environment."
The questions of the assignment hardly make it sound like an assignment but are beautiful morals that would actually build the social skills as well as manners of the students.
Some of the questions of the assignment:
> Make at least three new friends during the holidays. Write about them and how you became friends in as many words as you like. You may write in any language of your choice. Be as creative as you can be
> Learn the five magic words - Thank you, Please, Excuse me, Sorry, May I ? in a foreign language and write it down.
> Wake up very early one morning Go on a walk with your parents/elders. Listen to the morning sounds, look at the birds, watch the sunrise and capture the scenes on the screens of your minds. Write a poem/prose appreciating the magnificence and beauty of the universe.
> Don't forget to have lots of fun with family and friends.
> Practice random acts of kindness. Write at least 5 such kind acts you could do in the summer break.
The assignment promises 'oodles of happiness' and assures adding value to the 'quality to life' of the students. And we sure think that it will not only boost their social skills and manners but also embed good morals and values in them.
"In the larger scheme of things, the main aim of such assignments it to spread happiness thereby making the world a better place, " Annie told Khaleej Times.
saman@khaleejtimes.com