Big Brother Mouse

29 March, 2013, Ban Thadeua, Laos

Discovery festival: In wealthy countries, young people get a range of experiences that that contribute to their personal and mental development: Going to museums. Playing board games. Reading for pleasure. Watching movies. Expressing their opinion in a group discussion about something of significance. Taking fun day trips to the countryside. Experimenting with science kits. Solving puzzles of many sorts. Learning to speak in public. Such experiences are much rarer for young people here. For several years, the "Mouse Experience" has provided our staff with opportunities to enjoy and learn from these and other activities. Our "Discovery Days" take this experience to schools and youth centers.

This event was sponsored by Global Fund for Children (United States). Thank you!

This Discovery Day was at a middle school (grades 6 to 8). We include activities with an obvious educational aspect, and also many that serve to broaden students' perspectives and experiences.

For the smell game (3rd picture), students sniff 12 covered cups, and write down words to describe what's in each. Then, from a second set of cups, they try to find the one with the same smell. Soon they realize that if they know a name for a smell, they can remember it. If they don't know a name, it's much more difficult to remember. That demonstrates the power of language.

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