We have launched our new theme for this year and I am getting the sense that many students and families are connecting very well with the key message! Have you ever watched small children, you will notice just how free they are. How little they care about what others think of them. They are happy and in the moment. They are their true natures. They don’t care if people think that they are silly while they dance in the playground for everyone to see. Try looking at this link which was shown at the Information Evening – some adults reflect what they liked to play when they were children – there is a twist at the end – it is quite profound and helps guide us as parents and educators, to understand the importance of play to be our true self – Favourite thing to play as a kid.
As we get older we start to play roles to fit into society. We can suppress our true nature and creativity out of fear of what others think. This year we are working with the children to enjoy just being themselves, giving them some strategies to take more risks and not worry so much about what others think. We are aiming to give them a toolbox of ways to believe in themselves. In that context, we know that the best way to motive students is ensuring that the emotional well-being is strong and on track for their age and stage. We aim for them to build skills to respond to most situations. The teachers are also doing a wonderful job reinforcing this theme in the classrooms.
Try this Ted Talk How School Makes Kids Less Intelligent by Eddy Zhong – he was only 16 years old when creating a highly successful company! I don’t agree with the title (as he is obviously not talking about Tintern!) but the real message is very deep and certainly something to think about as we support our children ‘being themselves as they grow up’.
