Well, it’s that time of the year.
The school term has started and teachers are buzzing around getting things ready; parents are dropping off and picking up their excited (or crying) children from school.
And I’m busy contacting primary schools and booking my ‘Pozitive Kidz are happy kidz’ workshops.
I enjoy running these workshops because it’s fun, energetic and challenges my presentation skills, as I have to adapt according to the age of the children.
For example, when I work with the preps (5-year-olds) I become more animated, use clear and simple language and use my props and toys to reinforce key themes.
One of the skills I teach is a sitting meditation technique – and getting preps to sit still for more than a few seconds can be difficult. To overcome their natural inclination to fidget or lose concentration, I create a game.
I’ll have about 40-50 preps sitting on a carpeted floor and I explain clearly what we are going to do. Then I’ll be silly and demonstrate poor posture before teaching them how to do the correct posture. Over the years, I’ve learned it’s always beneficial if you end with positive instruction rather than ‘don’t do this’ when teaching a skill.
I walk around with my Tai Chi staff to correct their postures … No, I don’t beat them. 🙂 It’s an alignment tool.
I then show them my Tai Chi watch and say, ‘Let’s see if we can sit still for one minute without moving. If anyone moves then we start again. Now close your eyes, relax your shoulders and lift.’
Usually a child will move and I’ll say, ‘Stop! Someone moved. Let’s try it again. Remember to keep still and relax.’
I time the exercise for one minute, and usually they achieve the target in two or three attempts. When they do, I applaud and say, ‘Well done, give yourselves a big clap.’
Usually most are smiling and clapping loudly.
Now if you’ll excuse me I’d better go and check … ah yes, they are all still there;
- Hammy Hot Head
- Spooky
- Monkey Brain
- Jacques the Shark
Yes, all my toys are in the box waiting to meet the children.
Footnote: Jacques the Shark is a previous article about a little girl in one of my earlier ‘Pozitive Kidz’ workshops. Another related article is Tai Chi: What Kids Say
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