The project began with workshops for parents and children led by writer Grażyna Hanaf. The author of therapeutic fairy tales spoke with parents about dealing with difficult emotions and coming to terms with aggression, anger and sadness. She also emphasized the importance of self-acceptance and self-knowledge in strengthening resilience and inner strength, coping with difficult parenting challenges and building better relationships with other people. On that day, children and parents also created a doll gallery together. The dolls served to express their warmth, love and gratitude.
During lessons held as part of the project, the youngest students practiced cooperation, visual-motor coordination, singing and expressing emotions. To the rhythm of songs by Majka Jeżowska and the symbols contained in the songs, the children created dance-and-vocal routines using rainbow umbrellas, scarves and ribbons. Older students were tasked with learning and understanding the song “Heal The World” in Polish and English, as well as interpreting it.
During mathematics lessons, the children also learned about tolerance by determining, in percentages, differences in people’s appearance around the world. They presented this using an exceptional presentation prepared according to a creative idea.
On November 16, the day of the World Day of Tolerance, the school project was brought to a close. All the students, together with their class teachers, created beautiful class posters. The posters included photographs through which the children emphasized their unique, individual belonging to the school and class family. Then, in an atmosphere of joy and deep emotion, children and teachers presented performances full of valuable information, dancing, singing and recitations in English.
As a surprise, all the teachers who took part in the project sang Majka Jeżowska’s song “The Color of the Heart.”
“Regardless of the circumstances, the color in which our heart shines depends on us,” says the campaign’s initiator and coordinator Katarzyna Gajowy. “That is what we wanted to teach the children through our activities. Tolerance, acceptance and respect are values everyone needs to make the world a friendly and safe place,” she adds.
It can confidently be said that the “Master Academy” school in Lwówek has found a way to teach children the most important values so that they are not merely incomprehensible concepts, but attitudes and choices that will guide them through life.