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Learning is fun
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Kaleidoscope is an ideal place for children to spend their after-school hours productively.
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AN EVENING to chill out at a club is not just an adult prerogative anymore. Children, who had only wondered all these days what their papas -- rarely mamas - find so fascinating at the clubs, can check out for themselves. No, the city clubs have not opened their doors to children, but an exclusive club for children called Kaleidoscope in Srinagar Colony, has been giving them a taste of the club culture. For a `senior member' like Aditya, Kaleidoscope is like a second home and he is ever so reluctant to leave it everyday when his father comes to pick him up.
Kaleidoscope is one of its kind centre for learning and fun for children above five years in the twin cities, which provides after-school facilities for children year round. Apart from involving children in activities like art, music, martial art, computers and games, the place provides an excellent opportunity for children to unwind, interact with other children and `just do what they want' under `friendly guidance and care'.
The three women behind Kaleidoscope - Lalitha Menon, Omana and Shobha - have the basic interest of children in their hearts. One knows too well how a child is rushed from one tuition class to another after school, and the little time left is distributed between finishing loads of homework and watching TV. Realising the need to provide quality and productive time for the children, the ladies put their plans together and created Kaleidoscope in 1999.
"We have realised that children, specially who live in flats have very little interaction with other children of their age group and live in confined environs. So providing an atmosphere where they not only meet other children but also indulge in activities that are not academic but fun and interesting, we thought, would be a good idea. That's how Kaleidoscope was born," says Lalitha.
The spacious rooms at Kaleidoscope for various activities create the right atmosphere for children to do their things in a relatively stress-free environment and come under no pressure to do anything forcefully. "The moment they join, they get hooked to the computer and stay glued to it till they realise that others are having as much fun in a painting class, so slowly they join painting. When they have enough of it, they can pick up any book from a well-stacked library and spend the rest of the time in the reading room. For the outdoor-lovers there is a martial arts class and one can even enjoy tri-cycle or a bicycle ride within the premises," says Lalitha.
The centre which operates between 3 and 7 pm, everyday has not just hobby classes but group activities like discussions, debates, quizzes, talks - all conducted by professionals ranging from different fields.
Apart from the year round activities, there are holiday programmes as well and these are open for non-members too. The treat for this summer begins from April 1 and will continue till June 8.
Theatre Workshop by Vaishali Bisht will be one of the highlights for this summer at Kaleidoscope.
For further details contact Kaleidoscope at 3757292.
S.B.VIJAYA MARY
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