An introduction to some of the natural toys and games of the Jenu Kuruba children. This indigenous community has been displaced from their traditional settlements within the forests in H.D.Kote, near Mysore, Karnataka, following the creation of the national park.

1. Playing with Nature: A Study onJenuKuruba Children Prepared by Ksheerasagar

2. JenuKuruba children playing and enjoying with Nature

3. Background of the study *Entry to FEDINA *Supervision of Balavikasa *Children – outside the school *Efforts to bring them inside - Food, slate, playing toys

4. Follow children’s path…..See wonders The pattern of tribal settlements - inside the forest - periphery of the forest - near the villages (Note: Almost all the settlements are attached to forest and surrounded by water streams.)

5. Person playing with forest-fire flower

7. Few Examples *Playing with the lion-ant *Bamboo-twist and twirl *Cart from the flower-plant *Writing pictures from halemara *Closing and opening of the petals of the plant *Turning grass *Turning beetle *Various sound from rain-beetle *Sound from the bamboo piece *Gulmohar flower *Baloons from a plant *Flying flower in the air

8. Child playing with flower which flies in air

15. Climbing the tree, plucking the flowers and fruits

16. Hunting

17. Preparing various kinds of traps

24. The children playing with nature Close relationship is built with nature and child Creativity and searching is involved in their own area The availability of playing things depends on the changing weather and season The articles are very simple and money is not involved The indigenous knowledge on these continue from generation to generation It has got folk characteristics

28. The life of children now They play with the ready-made toys Cost oriented There is no creativity Moved away from the forest Children are content with artificial things, colours, vision and sounds.

31. Future of children Involve children in building curriculum that is nature-oriented The curriculum should focus on the relationship of the children with nature The curriculum should also make the child a responsible person in their respective communities