Child’s play: From art to coding, kids in Mumbai learn with video games
Summer camps and workshops across the city are engaging children to hone their academic skills through interactive computer games
From the larger-than-life world of Harry Potter to analytics and programming, children will be able to learn as they play this summer. Camps and workshops across the city are helping kids hone their skills through interactive computer games.
Kids Tinker is conducting workshops all through May and June in coding, English, and maths.
Sneha Arya of Kids Tinker said, “Computer games open up worlds of imagination. Kids reach out through the internet and play together. They play games that are creative and has music, stories and art. Students can become game makers too if they can learn coding. They get to invent the stories, the heroes, the villains, and the landscapes.”
“For older children, these camps can be an eye-opener. They could figure out if they have an interest in coding, and if it could be their future. Once they see what the profession demands, they will have the ability to make informed decisions”, said Aadarsh Vasudevan of Andheri, whose 16-year-old son wants to be an animator.
OctoSmart is a module prepared by Kids Club based on Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, which looks at intelligence as a set of modalities rather than being dominated by a single ability. It aims to expose children to art and craft, music, specially devised age-appropriate games and a diverse set of new words.
“I do not want to see my child waste time at home during holidays. They would rather learn something new” said Kalpana Kala, a Bandra resident.
The Kid’s Company hosts a number of workshops for kids around the year.
Mrs. Priti Nanavati, mother of a four-year old, swears by the workshops, “These workshops have instilled values and sportsmanship in my daughter. She has grown in leaps and bounds. Summer workshops are a great way to increase creativity, concentration and patience in young children.”
Ruchita Malhotra, partner at The Wizard’s Den, said that the company started with a way to inculcate life skills in interactive activities.
“We try to cater to the parents’ need to teach the child valuable lessons as well as ensure that children have a fun time and are engrossed,” she said.
Giggles is a summer camp in Juhu, started by college students as a social initiative. Now in their twelfth year, they organise academic activities and cater to the changing trends and new demands.
Nonetheless, the emphasis of all these workshops remains on the child’s enjoyment.
When summer is all fun and games
TOON CLUB
specialises in animation education and visual storytelling for children. They teach the history, principles and techniques of animation and introduce simple laws of Maths and Physics.
WHAT: Art of Animation and Storytelling
WHO: Children between seven and 14 years of age
WHERE: 1st Floor, Surbala, Plot No 287, SV Road, Bandra West
WHEN: 18 May – 2 June (2 batches)
COST: Rs.9750/-
CONTACT: +91 9702111102
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KIDS TINKER
uses a platform developed by MIT, through which students learn programming fundamentals and concepts by coding their own interactive games to learn strategies for solving problems, designing projects, and communicating ideas.
WHAT: Introduction to Creative Computing
WHO: Children between seven and 14 years of age
WHERE: Ground Floor, Garden Crest Co-Op Housing Society, West Avenue Road, Santacruz West, Mumbai
WHEN: 9 May – 13 June
COST: Rs.12,000 for 16 modules
CONTACT: 7666055656 or info@kidstinker.com
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THE WIZARD’S DEN
inculcates life skills in interactive activities and teaches children life lessons through video games
WHAT: So… You Think You Know Harry Potter?
WHO: Children between eight and 11 years of age
WHERE: Bright Sparks Centre for Creative Learning 11 and 12, Shah and Nahar Industrial Estate Dr E Moses Road, Worli
WHEN: 15 May – 19 May
COST: Rs4,800/-
CONTACT: 09820346210
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WHAT: SCORE: Robotics and Coding
WHO: Children between eight and ten years of age
WHERE: Bright Sparks Centre for Creative Learning 11 and 12, Shah and Nahar Industrial Estate Dr E Moses Road, Worli
WHEN: 23 May – 27 May
COST: Rs.6000/-
CONTACT: 09820346210
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THE KIDS COMPANY
keeps children engaged by offering mind bending and stimulating puzzles, I.Q. challenging activities, mazes, crosswords and Sudoku to optimize each child’s skills related to logical thinking, reasoning, problem solving, self-management and communication.
WHAT: The Kids Company’s Summer Workshop
WHO: Children between four and seven years of age
WHERE: The Kids Company, Juhu
WHEN: June
COST: Provided on request
CONTACT: Dhara Mehta – 9819119835
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B’BRAINIAC
tries to impart brain training techniques to children to hone their cognitive skills.
WHAT: Brain Hacking Workshop
WHO: Children between seven and 13 years of age
WHERE: Colaba, Bandra, Andheri, Kandivali
WHEN: Classes start from 15 May
COST: Rs.4999/-
CONTACT: 9820473663
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NCPA
WHAT: Fun with Science
WHO: Children between four and 14 years of age
WHERE: Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, West Room 1 Tata Theatre – Sea View Room, NCPA
WHEN: 17 May - 21 May and 24 May - 28 May
COST: Price on request
CONTACT: 022 66223830