I'm a firm believer in the value of routine and predictability for young children. Children thrive on knowing what is expected of them and having a sense of structure in their day. However, I also feel strongly that there is a time and place for shaking things up, and allowing children to develop skills that enable them to "go with the flow" when necessary. These past two weeks have done just that.
As soon as we returned from Spring break, we immediately got started with our Shakespeare rehearsals. For a few of the children this was new territory, and definitely caused a bit of anxiety. At this age, anxiety in the unknown is extremely common - and normal. Their imaginations get carried away thinking of all of the things that may go wrong, or worse, the new and challenging things that will be expected of them. Throughout the week we came together as a group to share our worries, fears, as well as enthusiasm for the show. Hearing classmates voice their concerns, or talk about previous experiences with Shakespeare, allowed children to feel they were not alone, and gave them the reassurance they needed to participate.
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| Rehearsing the balloon act |
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| Watching intently while the other group rehearses |
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| Having fun! |
I loved watching the kids stretch themselves during our rehearsals, and ultimately, at the amazing performance last week. Acting asks a lot of the kids - they need to listen, take turns, cooperate, memorize lines, and most definitely leave their comfort zone. After a few days of rehearsals and getting the hang of things, I could tell even the most tentative children were showing genuine excitement. It was hard not to get caught up in the funny stories that Sean-O had created. By the end of last week, the kids were bursting with excitement about going on stage. Their enthusiasm about the experience was so evident watching them on stage. They all literally beamed with energy, emotion, and joyfulness. Not only did they all have a great time, they also proved to themselves that this was something within their reach. Getting up on stage, despite the worry or anxiety they felt, was actually fun! It also provided the children with a huge sense of accomplishment. They were so proud of themselves, and so was I.
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| The happy actors |
