A group of 15 kids, aged around 10. Very difficult museum visit last week. Jiggly, giggly, wiggly, jittery legs and never stopping mouth, whispering and talking during the explanations. For many, they can be seen as disrespectful, naughty, bad. But honestly, at that age, I seriously don’t believe in bad children.
Today during the workshop, the same ones were jittery, jiggly legged. But i saw things they were capable of during the first game. They can be focused. They enjoy the class challenge so they enjoy achieving a goal together. It’s not a jiggly room where egos and alpha feelings come at play, where bullying and teasing is present. it’s actually just deep friendship and need for intimacy and interaction woth eachother.
I had to spread the jittery legged and mouth group, because despite their tight friendship, their current attitude unfortunately troubled the group dynamic.
Instead of putting them simply apart, creating distance and resentment, i invited 2 of them next to me, to become my colleague. That creates connection and a bond, that eventually will benefit not just the group, but also the 2 of them. After 2 rounds of assisting me woth showing images, helping me count, i thanked them, and invited their 2 other friends to become my new colleague.
Instead of dreading to be put apart, the 2 new colleagues were eager to come assist me, jumping up their seat to come sit next to me. Not only do they enjoy the attention they receive, but they feel responsible. For the more shy kids, when i need their assistance, I will ask what they want me to assist with, because otherwise there is no use to putting them in the center of attention - it will make them awkward and and all they will think of is that awkwardness. i will ask more help like distributing papers, helping me check the time etc.
Eventually it worked so well, that the second part of the workshop, the drawing, was a true delight.
Normally there is a theatre game, but because the first part took a lot of time. The first part is meant to unconsciously teach the kids 3 terms:
• Abstract art
• Realism
• Surrealism
And, to install a flow in the group, so that the drawing part goes well. It’s so important to warm up well for anything art related.
Anyways. Each time I end this workshop, I feel an intense feeling of fulfilment, hope and content. Like, a feeling of “the kids will be all right”.
I am also proud to be doing this workshop for 3 years now, and I praise my adaptive workflow, flexibility and capacity to remain calm. I never shout during this workshop. It took years for me to get to this point. So i am grateful that I am able to do this workshop.
