This Month in the Blogosphere – August 2010
Goodness – hasn’t August just flown by? I do hope you’ve all had a wonderful time over the Summer. At Perform, we’ve been super-busy preparing for the Autumn term and getting plans in place to open new schools. Plus, following a new piece of research from Save The Children about the importance of after school activities, Perform appeared on the BBC (NB apologies – for some reason the sound is a little out of sync on this video):
Sally Copley, head of UK policy at Save the Children said “Children who do after-school activities have more confidence, see the world in different ways, have a stronger sense of identity – and this ultimately translates into doing better in exams and getting a better job. “
Teaching the Teachers
Wow – it’s been yet another hectic week! No rest for the wicked, eh?
This week I’ve been working hard with our Regional Partner Simon Fielding on developing a new series of training courses for our Perform teachers.
Simon originally joined us 9 years ago as a Producer - and then soon became an Area Partner, visiting schools, evaluating teachers etc, but last term we decided to set him a brand new challenge. We’re focusing on growth here at Perform, but I’m absolutely passionate about ensuring that standards don’t slip as we grow. You see, unlike all other children’s drama classes, we don’t operate as franchises – instead, all Perform schools are centrally managed and they all run the same curriculum so we can maintain the high quality of our workshops across the board.
Over the years Simon’s been instrumental in helping to evolve the Perform style of teaching that we a call ‘learning through laughter’. He is staggeringly good at his job and such an inspiring trainer.
The One Where I Get Cross About Overly Indulgent Parenting
Dear readers, this particular post is in grave danger of dissolving into an incoherent rant of epic proportions – hopefully I can hold it together long enough to put forward my argument in a sane and sensible way… Hold on to your hats, boys and girls.
Let’s travel back in time a little. I am six years old. My Mum (at my insistence I might add) has signed me up for a ten week term of ballet classes. At first, I am overjoyed. I love ballet more than anything else in the world. I fully plan on being a ballet dancer one day.
And then, quite inexplicably, half way through the term I change my mind. No-one knows quite why. But I don’t want to go any more. Cue stamping of feet, slamming of doors and much wailing. My Mum stands firm. She tells me that I have to go – I’m signed up for the full term, she’s paid good money for it; and besides which she knows that I actually enjoy it.
Sulking, I go.
And she’s right – I do enjoy it. I enjoy it so much, that at the end of the term I beg and plead her to sign me up for another term.
Summertime… But the Living Ain’t Easy!
If I had a £1 for every person who said “Oh that must be a lovely job – nice long Summer holidays, huh?”, I’d be rich beyond my wildest dreams and sunning myself on my own idyllic island – cocktail in hand. I might also have someone peeling me grapes, not because I have a particular aversion to grape skin, but just because it seems marvellously decadent.
The truth is, whilst the Summer holidays have arrived, sadly I’m far too busy to relax and enjoy them.
Contrary to what you might expect, the Summer is far and away the busiest time for us at all at Perform. In addition to running the holiday courses, we’re all rushed off our feet putting the plans in place for next term’s curriculum. There are producers and writers to commission not to mention the teachers – who of course have to be taught the new songs and routines.
As an example of the sort of work that goes on, check out this video of some of our teachers learning the Fairytale Dance for last term.
This Month in the Blogosphere – July 2010
Hello and welcome to this month in the blogosphere – July 2010 edition.
Essentially it’s a round up post of anything and everything which has made me inadvertently snort tea out of my nostrils, inspired me, made me cry or is otherwise note-worthy. I’m hoping to make this a monthly feature so if you’ve any suggestions for future inclusions please contact me via twitter or email me – lucyquickk (at) googlemail (dot) com – (oh and yes, that’s right – two ks – my proper name was already taken – I’m always late to the party).
So, got your tea / coffee / wine / G & T at the ready? Let’s get stuck in:
First up is Positive Thoughts for Annie by MummyZen – a post which is both so sad and yet so inspiring it’s a must read. I’m sure you’ll all join me in sending some super-strength positive thoughts Annie’s way.
Is Your Child a Perfectionist?
As a (recovering) perfectionist myself, I spent years labouring under the misapprehension that perfectionism was a ‘good’ thing. It meant I was dedicated, it meant I did a good job, it meant I was focused.
However, it also made me pretty unhappy. There’s a big difference between being a perfectionist and being a high achiever. A high achiever will enjoy learning. Typically they’ll set realistic goals, enjoy the challenge of getting there and then perhaps continue on a little further – just because they can.
A perfectionist on the other hand will set themselves entirely unrealistic goals, fail to enjoy the challenge of trying to get there (because they’re so scared of failing) and then beat themselves up because they didn’t make the unrealistic target that they set themselves. For a perfectionist – ‘good’ simply isn’t ever good enough.
Plus, because ‘good’ isn’t good enough; perfectionists will often suffer from a sort of paralysis when it comes to starting tasks. Their fear of failure can become so strong that it literally prevents a perfectionist from even trying.
So, is your child a perfectionist? Do the following traits sound familiar?
Summer Activities for Children
Well the Summer holidays are upon us!
I really can’t believe how this year’s flown by! If the Summer holidays have somewhat snuck up on you and you’re worried about how you’re going to keep your little ones occupied over the break then check out the list below for some ideas:
1. Get Crafty!
Arts and crafts are a fantastic for children – not only are they lots of fun, but they also encourage them to use their imagination, and help improve concentration. Click here for some great arts and crafts ideas.
Helping Your Child to Concentrate
Developing concentration skills is a key part in a child’s development – and succeeding in any field, be it artistic, sporting or academic requires the ability to concentrate on the task at hand. Concentration is one of what we call the Four Cs (along with confidence, communication and coordination) which all of the games, songs and dances are created to help improve at Perform, so it’s definitely something I think about at lot.
All children have the ability to concentrate – think about the things they enjoy doing – e.g. they’ll often have no problem at all with concentration when they’re playing a computer game, drawing, playing a particular sport etc. Normally it’s just a case of being interested in something. However, the ability to concentrate on any task can be a tougher skill to learn.
Even as adults we find it difficult to concentrate from time to time – so it really should be no surprise that children struggle too!
Out of the Mouths of Babes…
Yesterday, I was wrestling – completely unsuccessfully I might add – with some work (and quite probably huffing and puffing like the big bad wolf). My son wandered over to me and asked what I was doing.
“I’m just trying to get this work done, but I’m finding it very difficult” I said.
He looked at me thoughtfully for a moment, then said “You should ask for help.”
I smiled and said something like “Maybe I should” (but not for one minute intending to) then went back to struggling.
I was relaying the story to my husband later on – expecting him to giggle along with me – I mean it’s a lovely suggestion, but I’m not at school any more – it’s not as if I can just raise my hand and have the teacher come along and help me!
Tips to Deal with Bossy Children
Many children reach a ‘bossy’ stage at one time or another, for most it’s simply part of their development – as they develop a stronger sense of self, they want to take more control. This may manifest itself in a number of ways – perhaps in their interactions with their siblings or peers – or even in the way that they speak to adults.
Around the mid-point of each Perform class we have a little break and hand out water and fruit; and it’s at this point that I quite like to sit back a little and observe how the children interact with each other. In one particular class, a little girl came up to me complaining about another child.
With one hand on her hip (a hilariously adult gesture) – she exclaimed: ”I just don’t know what to do with him; he never does as he’s told!”
I had to fight the urge to giggle – it’s the sort of thing parents say all the time…
