Celebrating Generations: A Grandparents' Tribute
As part of our ongoing effort to nurture intergenerational connections, learners participated in a project that celebrated their grandparents through a blend of creative writing, visual art, and storytelling. Children explored their family history and relationships, expressing their experiences and emotions in diverse formats. The initiative allowed learners to engage with their grandparents in meaningful ways, fostering creativity and deeper understanding. Selected submissions have been curated into this online zine that showcases these contributions. This initiative was designed not only to ignite creativity but also to strengthen learners’ emotional connections and cultural appreciation.
Learning Outcomes:
+ Enhanced creative writing and storytelling skills through family-based prompts.
+ Improved observation and descriptive abilities through visual art and photography.
+ Strengthened communication skills and listening abilities by interviewing or engaging with grandparents.
+ Increased awareness of family traditions, heirlooms, and the importance of generational storytelling.
+ Encouraged independence, confidence, and self-expression in both individual and group activities.
Family Treasures
Learners of Class 3,4 and 5 described special objects passed down from their grandparents, focusing on their appearance, history, and emotional significance.
In this section, readers will find 14 heirlooms, each represented by a card. By clicking on a card, they can read about the heirloom, its story, and why it holds meaning for our learners. This activity encouraged learners to express the importance of family heritage through reflective storytelling.
"The watch is golden and black, and it belongs to my grandfather. He got it from his village, and I want to wear my grandfather’s watch."
- Aarav's Family Heirloom
"My grandparents gave my father a Bullet as a gift on his birthday. My father was very happy. It belongs to my Grandpa. He got it from Royal Enfield, a company that makes bikes. I felt very happy when my grandpa gave it to my father, and I wish to drive my grandpa’s Bullet someday."
- Arjun's Family Heirloom
"My grandpa’s spectacles are a little broken. I think he got it from the hospital when he was a child. I want to wash the spectacles and fix the glass."
- Aditya's Family Heirloom
"My family’s heirloom is a sword. It is very blunt, with a cover of royal blue colour, and there is a golden line running through the middle with some ancient patterns. It belonged to my great-grandfather. My grandfather also told me that he will pass it to my father. When I first saw it, I felt so powerful and independent. I felt like someone who had courage, power, and self-confidence, maybe like Rani Lakshmibai. Whenever I feel helpless, I look at that sword, and suddenly, a new girl inside me wakes up, and she always says, ‘I can do it.’ That sword is a source of my motivation and inspiration. If my father gives it to me, I would definitely keep it in a place where I can always look at it, and I will carry it with me everywhere I go."
​- Vrinda's Family Heirloom
"The colour of the telephone is red and black. It belongs to my grandfather’s father. They got it from Chennai from the tea bazaar. I feel this is the telephone from 1857. I wish this telephone never gets damaged."
​
​- Aradhya's Family Heirloom
"The storybook belongs to my mom’s grandmother. It has very funny stories. My favourite story is ‘The Cat and the Mouse.’ When my mom reads the book to me, I feel like the stories are real. At night before sleeping, I kept it on the shelf."
​
​- Yashi's Family Heirloom
"The recipe book is red and pink in colour. It belongs to my grandmother. I learn new recipes from it. I think it is as old as 1867."
​
​- Aiman's Family Heirloom
"My family's book is small, and the pages are brown. It looks like a very old book. It belonged to my great grandparents. Now, my grandparents read this book. I also want to read it."
​- Mubashshrah's Family Heirloom
"My grandmother loved a book about ships. I feel like I am talking to my grandmother when I read it. I wish I could give this book to my grandmother."
​- Arnav's Family Heirloom
"My family heirloom is a navigation book. It is brown in colour, with a drawing of the Earth in the middle. It belonged to my great-grandfather, and now it belongs to me! I found it in the storeroom while searching for materials for my science experiment. When I read it, I felt motivated to create something new. I will keep it very safe because it has explanations of many places, including my city, Varanasi."
​
​- Shreyash's Family Heirloom
"The watch is small, circular and golden. I feel better when I look at the watch because it belongs to my grandfather. I will keep it in my memory."
​
​- Shashwat's Family Heirloom
"It is a beautiful pot where small plants can be grown, or curd can be stored. It belongs to my grandfather, who made it himself. It is his hobby to make pots, and I got to know this new thing about him today. I find the pot mysterious and beautiful. It is coloured with some attractive and beautiful colours. I like it because it is good for the environment, as we can plant flowers in it. My grandfather said it was a little hard to make, and it took many hours to shape and add patterns to give it a beautiful look."
- Ami's Family Heirloom
"It is a heavy glass. It has some mandala designs on it. My grandmother’s grandmother bought that glass for a special occasion. Then she gave it to my grandmother’s mother, and finally, it was passed to my grandmother at her wedding by her mother. My grandmother says that after some years, she will give it to my mother, and then it will be passed to me. Whenever I see that glass, I always wonder how it still looks so new. Maybe from generations, they have kept it in a glass box or locker. When I get that glass, I will place it in my house as an antique piece or a showpiece."
- Parnika's Family Heirloom
"The jewel is in the shape of a circle. It belonged to my great-grandmother, who gave it to my grandmother, and then my grandmother gave it to my mother. My great-grandfather got it from a shop in Bengaluru, but I don’t know the name of the shop. I feel very happy about it, and when my mother gives it to me, I will keep it safely and happily because it has been with our family for three generations."
​
​- Cherika's Family Heirloom
Stories We Share
In this activity, learners shared recordings of interviews, memories or stories by their grandparents. The selected recordings provide a glimpse into family histories, personal anecdotes, and life lessons.
​
The featured recordings are submissions by Harshaan, Tishya, Divyansh, Amrita, Kaira, and Shaan. You can also listen to them on the School Podcast.
A Grandmother’s Memory
In this episode, Amrita, Kaira, and Shaan's grandmother shares a memory that links the past and present, highlighting how traditions and values are passed down.
Campfire Adventures
Join Amrita, Kaira, and Shaan’s grandfather as he takes us on an adventurous camping trip with Amrita. From setting up a campfire to roasting marshmallows, this episode is filled with excitement, joy and a perfect memory under the stars.
A Story Session with Harshaan and His Grandmother
Harshaan and his grandmother invite listeners to join them for a tale full of warmth and lessons. This episode is perfect for snuggling up and listening to a story passed down through generations.
The Ingenious Crow: A Moral Story from Tishya’s Grandfather
Tishya’s grandfather shares a classic moral story about an ingenious crow and how it cleverly quenches its thirst. This episode brings back the wisdom of age-old tales that offer life lessons to children in a fun and engaging way.
Favourite Things:
A Telephonic Chat with Divyansh’s Grandparents
In this episode, Divyansh from Senior KG interviews his grandparents over the phone, asking them about their favourite things. Their responses give us a glimpse into the simple joys and moments of their lives.
Flavours of Family
Learners teamed up with their grandparents to document cherished family recipes that hold cultural and emotional significance. These recipes, passed down through generations, are not just mere instructions; they weave stories of tradition, celebration, and family togetherness.
​
The outcome of this collaborative effort is a edited and curated downloadable cookbook, Our Grandparent's Cookbook. This collection celebrates the invaluable bond between grandparents and grandchildren through a delightful array of dishes, encompassing comforting meals, indulgent desserts, and creative recipes that make the most of leftovers.​ Many recipes also include secret ingredients from the Indian kitchen, such as real rose water in the Gulab Jamun and mango powder in the Aloo Paratha, adding a unique twist to traditional dishes.
Memory Box
Learners of Classes 3,4 and 5 wrote about a favourite memory shared with their grandparents, describing the sensory details and emotions of the moment. They reflected on how these experiences shaped their relationships.
The collection includes 11 memories, each stored in a labelled memory box. By clicking on a box, readers can uncover the memory inside, exploring the learner's story and connection to their grandparents. This activity deepened their appreciation of the role memories play in their family bonds.
"My favourite memory with my grandparents is when we went to Goa last year. I went with only my grandparents, and when we reached there, I was super excited. I looked around, and it was as pleasant as heaven. The beaches had shiny yellow sand, blue water, seashells, and small cute stones. The sunset made it look like I was in Thailand, enjoying the sunset with ice cream. As I was going into the water, I saw a small fish come out. I carefully threw it back into the water and then started swimming like a fish with my grandfather. My grandmother was waiting for us to go back to the hotel for dinner. My grandfather and I quickly got out of the water and changed our clothes because we were very hungry, especially me—the greatest foodie. We quickly went to the hotel by car, and when we reached the hotel, my grandparents specially ordered seafood, which I enjoyed a lot. It was the best memory I had with them."
- Ishanvi's Memory
"My favourite adventure with my grandparents was when my sister and I went to a restaurant with them. They bought us pizza and, by mistake, ordered milkshake with ice cream instead of a normal one. We had lots of fun.
We went to a wedding with my sister, parents, and grandparents. Lots of people came to the wedding. I recognised everyone, and we ate a delicious meal."
​​- Ehaan's Memory
"My favourite adventure is going to the mountains with my grandparents. We went to the Himalayas. My grandparents live in Ghazipur, and I would go along with them, helping and giving them support. That’s my favourite memory and adventure with them."
​
​- Zayn's Memory
I.
"My favourite memory with my grandparents is when I went to Jammu and Kashmir with my family. The place was rocky, and I walked with my grandmother, holding her hand through the mountains. I stayed in a room and slept with her."
​
II.
"Once, I was watching reels and saw a dish called mushrooms. It looked just like chilli potatoes but in mushroom shape. I asked my grandmother how to cook it. It took some time to cook, but it was tasty, and I loved it."
- Manindra's Memory
"The memory is from when my grandparents came to our house and brought gifts for me. When they went back to their home, I saw the gifts and smiled. There were many people. The place was a garden, and it was very beautiful with colourful flowers. When I was five years old, I played with my grandparents with my toys and soft toys. When I think about the memory, I feel very good."
- Pranika's Memory
"When I was 6 years old, my mother and little sister went to Lucknow, leaving me with my bua and father for six months. During Diwali, my bua and I went to my grandparents' house. My grandfather and I bought many chocolates and a light bulb. My bua, grandmother, and I made many things together like golgappa, momos, and more. During Diwali, we made a Rangoli with beautiful colours and celebrated together. That was the best memory I had with them."
​​- Mishka's Memory
"My mom is a teacher, so when she is in college teaching, I would come home from school and enter my grandmother’s room because my room was locked. I would sit on my grandmother’s bed, and she would say, “Go wash your face and massage my legs, they are hurting.” I would wash my face and start massaging her legs. When I finished, she would give me a ladoo and say, “Eat it.” I would eat it, and when I lay on the bed, she would ask, “Would you like to listen to a story?” I would say, “Yes, of course,” and she would start telling the story. Soon, I would fall asleep deeply. She would say, “सेवा करोगी तो मेवा मिलेगा।”
- Navya's Memory
"The memory was from when I was 5 or 6 years old. My grandparents took me and everyone to a park, but only for 1 hour, which didn’t make me happy. One day, they took me for 2.5 hours, and that is my favourite memory. There were lots of people—some children were playing, and some were jogging. The name of the place was Nehru Park. I was swinging, and my grandparents were waiting for me. I feel very sad because I want to enjoy that time again."
​
​- Satwik's Memory
"My grandparents and I were reading in the memory. The place was green, clean, and beautiful."
- Aditi's Memory
"The memory is about the past when I spent time with my grandparents and parents. I felt happy. My grandparents and I were sitting on the water slide and playing games."
​​- Aarul's Memory
"I liked to play with my aunt. We played many games. When I was a small baby, I liked spending time with my grandparents."
​
​- Amrit's Memory
Captured Moments
Learners captured candid portraits of their grandparents, incorporating meaningful surroundings or cherished objects. These photographs reflect not only composition but also an emotional depth as learners explored visual storytelling by highlighting the everyday joys of their grandparents' lives.
​
The winners of the candid photography portraits are submissions from Ami Thapa, Tishya Bishnoi and Tarush.
Ami's Captured Moment
We love how Ami's photograph of her grandparents captures them in their home, surrounded by objects they love. The colour composition and the indoor setting convey the comfort of home.
Tishya's Captured Moment: We love how Tishya's photographs capture her grandparents engaged in their hobbies: her grandfather with his book and her grandmother with her furry friends.
Tarush's Captured Moments
We love how Tarush's collage of photographs with his grandmother captures different moments from her knitting routine, shared with Tarush.
All Other Contributions
A Zine Curated by Kidzee Varanasi Nadesar and Kenzen School
Kidzee Varanasi Nadesar and Kenzen School are sister schools located in Varanasi. We offer education for children aged 2 to 12 (Playgroup to Class 5).
​
Since 2007, Kidzee Varanasi Nadesar has grown from its first student to a vibrant community of over 3000 learners, facilitators, and guardians. Our approach puts learners first, blending various teaching methods to suit different learning styles. As one of the oldest Kidzee centers in India, we have been recognized among the top 100 pre-primary schools nationwide and have received awards for excellence in academics.
Established in 2011, Kenzen School is dedicated to nurturing childhood development. Our mission is to uncover each individual's strengths and support personal growth. We aim to inspire our learners with a love for learning, a curiosity for exploration, and the drive to pursue their aspirations.