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Transitioning back to school
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Art has a vital role to play in education in a post Covid-19 world, say school principals
Art has a vital role to play in education in a post Covid-19 world, say school principals
(NZ Herald Sat.9th May 2020)
(NZ Herald Sat.9th May 2020)
Children will be returning to school soon and each one will come with their own unique understanding of COVID and of lock down. For some it will have been good. Some will have had a pretty rough ride. Some will have picked up on adults' anxiety and be feeling it themselves, others will have felt vulnerable and unsafe. Some might have been staying with extended family or in a bubble that is not their usual home. Children, as always, need opportunities to express themselves and explore their feelings in a playful and safe way; we all need those opportunities. Below are a few ideas to use yourself or with children, to encourage them to notice what they feel, always acknowledging that whatever they feel is OK, and to explore and express those feelings and emotions.
Children will be returning to school soon and each one will come with their own unique understanding of COVID and of lock down. For some it will have been good. Some will have had a pretty rough ride. Some will have picked up on adults' anxiety and be feeling it themselves, others will have felt vulnerable and unsafe. Some might have been staying with extended family or in a bubble that is not their usual home. Children, as always, need opportunities to express themselves and explore their feelings in a playful and safe way; we all need those opportunities. Below are a few ideas to use yourself or with children, to encourage them to notice what they feel, always acknowledging that whatever they feel is OK, and to explore and express those feelings and emotions.
Let the senses tell the story.
Let the senses tell the story.
Make sure, if you work within a school or child centered organisation, that everyone is aware of the policies and procedures, for the safety and protection of all staff and students. If you are worried about the mental wellbeing of yourself, your colleagues or your students do not hesitate to check in with them and respond in an appropriate and timely manner. Always seek professional advice if you are uncertain.
Make sure, if you work within a school or child centered organisation, that everyone is aware of the policies and procedures, for the safety and protection of all staff and students. If you are worried about the mental wellbeing of yourself, your colleagues or your students do not hesitate to check in with them and respond in an appropriate and timely manner. Always seek professional advice if you are uncertain.
As a general rule of thumb as you work with these activities, either yourself or with others, enjoy the playful quality, notice what you feel not only about what you are doing but also about your response.
As a general rule of thumb as you work with these activities, either yourself or with others, enjoy the playful quality, notice what you feel not only about what you are doing but also about your response.
For example;
For example;
- That colour makes me feel happy.
- That smell reminds me of my grandmother.
- That texture makes me shudder inside.
Encourage your children to notice.
Encourage your children to notice.
Then, be curious;
Then, be curious;
- I wonder why that makes me happy?
- I wonder why that smell reminds me of my grandmother?
- I wonder why that texture makes me shudder?
This isn't therapy, you need to work with a qualified arts therapist to be safe to explore deep and worrying feelings, but it is about being mindful. Notice and be curious.
This isn't therapy, you need to work with a qualified arts therapist to be safe to explore deep and worrying feelings, but it is about being mindful. Notice and be curious.
If you are concerned in any way seek advice and guidance from a professional.
If you are concerned in any way seek advice and guidance from a professional.
As teachers you will be highly attuned to the qualities and subtleties of the way of being of the children you work with. Listen to your intuition and don't be afraid to seek advice if you notice things that worry you.
As teachers you will be highly attuned to the qualities and subtleties of the way of being of the children you work with. Listen to your intuition and don't be afraid to seek advice if you notice things that worry you.
- A change in the body language.
- A change in habits, securities or repetitive behaviours.
- A change in willingness to communicate.
All the things you would normally notice as a teacher may become more apparent in a creative setting as creativity allows a deeper way to communicate.
All the things you would normally notice as a teacher may become more apparent in a creative setting as creativity allows a deeper way to communicate.
Accept and validate what comes. If you feel it, what ever it is, it is OK. The important thing is the next step and what you do with it.
Accept and validate what comes. If you feel it, what ever it is, it is OK. The important thing is the next step and what you do with it.
Our physical responses are telling us something and sometimes when we over react it is our responses going into overdrive. If we are jumpy and hyper-vigilant it is possibly because we have learnt that the best way to keep safe is by constantly monitoring our environment.
Our physical responses are telling us something and sometimes when we over react it is our responses going into overdrive. If we are jumpy and hyper-vigilant it is possibly because we have learnt that the best way to keep safe is by constantly monitoring our environment.
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