activity 5.t Modified game on Health
RBCP: AGES 10+
YELLOW SPIRIT BALL
TRUE OR FALSE23 (LIKE SCRABBLE DASH)
Key Learning
To help understand
and talk about
menstruations.
Goal Of The Game
A tag-like game in
which children are
challenged
physically as well as
mentally by
deciding if
statements are True
or False.
What You Need
Equipment
 Pieces of paper
or cardboard
with a statement
on each
– at least 1 per
child
No. of children
 6 or more
How To Play
Start with groups of girls only, or boys only; only mix
boys and girls once they both have a basic
understanding of menstruations.
If working with girls only, use a female teacher.
Ensure the area is clean and free of obstacles.
This may be the first time girls have spoken with a
teacher about menstruation; they are likely to be shy
and embarrassed.
Keep groups small, three to four girls, and work away
from the eyes and ears of other children.
Adapt the flashcard statements to reflect local beliefs
(see end of activity sheet for examples). Menstruation
can also be called period
1. Divide the children into groups of 3-4.
2. Scatter pieces of paper with statements on them, face
up, in the centre of the play area (at least 1 statement
for each child).
3. Ask each team to form a straight line 5 meters from the
circle of letters (see diagram).
4. Explain and demonstrate that:
The first players on each team stand and the
remaining children sit behind them.
When you say “Go!” the standing players race to pick
up a statement from the centre of the play area.
After picking up the statement, the players run
clockwise around the outside before returning to
23
Adapted from Right To Play Red Ball Child Play and UNICEF (2011) Water, Sanitation and Hygiene from
Schoolchildren in Emergencies, A Guidebook for Teachers
145
the back of their team’s line and sitting down (see
diagram).
While running around the circle, each child can try to
tag the runner ahead. After a tag, the child can
take that runner’s statement.
5. Instruct the new players in the front of the line to stand
and race for the next set of letters when you call, “Go!”
6. Once all of the children have had a chance to play,
ask each team to work together to decide if the
statements that their team collected are True or False.
7. Ask each team to share their classification with the
group. Make sure the children have enough time to
discuss each card.
Watch For
 Are all the children supportive within their teams?
 Are the children exhibiting positive interactions with
the other teams?
Discussion
Reflect
 Ask each team to share their classification with the
group. Make sure the children have enough time to
discuss each card. Ask the children to explain their
decisions.
 Sensitively challenge any wrong ideas – try to stay with
the facts. The children can move a card to the
correct pile once they are convinced of your
explanation.
Connect
146
 Give the girls time to talk about their own experiences
of managing periods at school and away
 If doing the activity with boys, ask them about their
sisters or mothers or girls and women in their lives; do
they know about any activities the women do or
don’t do about their periods?
Apply
 Ask the girls how they can improve their situation at
home and school for themselves when they have their
periods, and for other girls;
 If doing the activity with boys, ask them what they can
do to support girls and women when they
 have their periods?
Variations
 Ask the children to complete a task before they
choose a statement. For example, have the children
run around their team twice or complete 5 jumping
jacks.
TRUE OR FALSE FLASHCARDS
Make your own flashcards showing ‘true’ and ‘false’ beliefs, for example:
True
• Older girls menstruate about every month
• Menstrual bleeding lasts 3–7 days
• Pregnant women do not have periods
• It is important to change pads or cloths
• It is OK to be at school while bleeding
• Wash hands with soap after going to the latrine, or touching pads/rags
False
• Menstruation is dirty and unhealthy
• Other people can see you are having your period
• Pain during a girl’s period is not normal
• You can damage yourself if you run during a period
• Girls who are menstruating must not use the latrine
• You can only eat rice when you have menstrual bleeding
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