How does Bindlestick Learning work?

Put simply , Bindlestick Learning comprises of something portable such as a fabric or plastic bag that contains a few items such as stones, sticks, string, trash (eg: clean plastic bottles,paper etc) and access to liquid. Contents will vary according to location, and can be added to or changed through evaluation. The various items will be used in a series of educational activities incorporating numeracy, literacy and other cross curriculum essentials .

Features of this program are below and the full PDF list of these activities can be found  by clicking this link and also on the Bindlestick Activity page. 

The activities can be decided by educators or leaders found in the Child Friendly Spaces or by accessing teaching sites, such as this blog or locations such as the Teachers Without Borders Resource page. In the future activities can be added under differing categories or according to items found in the Bindlestick bag. As internet access may be limited in camp it is hoped that those with leadership or mentoring capabilities take on the role of distributing the downloaded activity page throughout the Child Friendly Space.

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Bindlestick Learning aims to instill a love of learning and continue a child's education through informal learning activities. In the new June 2017 Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right To Education

it was stressed that :

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 “Non-formal education is an important means to offer wider educational opportunities, especially for vulnerable groups. Flexible and alternative forms of education may be instrumental in complementing formal education system, in particular in situations where they may not be efficient or accessible.”

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Children face many obstacles in learning. Some have a lack of literacy in a first or second language. Many have little or no knowledge of how a school works and are going through trauma associated with a new setting. The inherent challenges will direct that any learning taking place to be flexible and must be appropriate for all learning levels.

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Bindlestick Learning uses activities that are informal and fun. It is a concept that engages a "hands on" or active learning approach to education. Play based activities are used as a strategy to build skills as it is a "universal phenomenon found across time and in all cultures"(Kellock,P 2015) .Many Child Friendly Spaces have outdoor play areas that allow children a chance to feel safe, be active and have fun. Playing outdoors enables children express enjoyment. It is a diversion from the trauma they are going through and is vital in assisting them through the Liminal Space. 

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Bindlestick Learning can be incorporated into these outdoor play spaces, or indeed encourage students to one day be part of a community that establishes a playground in a Child Friendly Space . Concepts such as measuring, estimating and communicating are all aims of Bindlestick Learning and are much needed attributes to assist in the creation of a robust and cohesive society. 

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Maybe the Children and community of Muna Garage IDP Camp will in the future build a playground like this to integrate their learning beyond the classroom.

Watch the video below from an Australian company called

 Playground Ideas

to see how this vision can become a reality.