Children's Art Tells the Story
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photo by Jim Stipe |
Involve children in educating others about the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by making a mural.
Age Appropriateness: Elementary and middle schools.
Materials Needed: Posterboard—divided in halves for "Good Goal" and "Bad Problem," crayons or markers
Activity:
Separate the children into eight groups—each given art supplies and the questions for one of the MDGs (below).
Explain that people around the world are working for "good goals" to help others have better lives, but "bad problems" get in the way. Ask them to draw what the "good goals" and "bad problems" look like, based on their questions. When finished, have the children explain their drawings.
Form the posters into a mural on a wall at church or school. If needed, add short descriptions of the children's explanations.
Questions [Each group gets one set of questions]:
Good Goal #1: What would the world be like if everyone had enough food to eat and enough money to buy the things they need?
Bad Problem #1: What is it like when they don't have enough food or money?
Good Goal #2: What would the world be like if all children everywhere could go to school?
Bad Problem #2: What will happen to children who don't get to go to school and can't learn to read or write?
Good Goal #3: What would the world be like if girls and boys were allowed to do the same things and were all treated fairly?
Bad Problem #3: What happens if girls aren't allowed to attend school and can't learn to read or write?
Good Goal #4: What would the world be like if all children were healthy?
Bad Problem #4: What happens to children who are sick all the time?
Good Goal #5: What would the world be like if all moms were healthy and able to take care of their children?
Bad Problem #5: What happens if a mom who is going to have a baby is very sick all the time and doesn't get good food or vitamins?
Good Goal #6: What would the world be like if diseases could be stopped before people got sick?
Bad Problem #6: What happens when diseases hurt or even kill the moms or dads of some children?
Good Goal #7: What would the world be like if everyone had clean water for drinking and cooking and bathing?
Bad Problem #7: What happens when some people don't have clean water to drink or don't have enough water for all their needs?
Good Goal #8: What would it be like if people all around the world helped each other?
Bad Problem #8: What happens when people don't care or pay attention to other people who are hurting? What happens when people make promises to help others, but don't keep their promises?
