What is EI Kids & EI Teens all about?
The groups meet several times a month for:
* Fun Activities
* Days out
* Music & Drama
* Theatre Visits
The children are encouraged to:
* Try new things
* Express likes & dislikes
* Understand respect
* Trust themselves and others
The group promotes:
* Self esteem
* Self control
* Creative play
* Empathy
* Honesty/Trust
Successful Project at Air Balloon Primary School, Bristol
Thanks to funding from NHS Bristol, creative circle support was given to a small group of children, helping them to build their self-confidence and develop and sustain friendships. A combination of small group work, one-to-one sessions and a day-out adventure in Swindon took place over the spring and early summer this year.
Good E.i.dea trip to Severn Estuary / Chepstow Castle
The three boys aged 11 and 12 chose this location because one of the boys had never been over the Severn Bridge before! The ground 6 rules were read out before we set off (to embarrassed eye rolling).
The 6 ground rules:
Everyone is of equal importance
Everyone is listened to
We all need help to do things
No put downs, fighting or bad language
We stay together
We share and have fun
The three boys were full of enthusiasm and high energy all day, although there were occasional bursts of “boring!” at the “nothingness” of the cliffs, (until they looked and found a fossil and took on the challenge of climbing up a steep and slippery river bank!)
Another time there was a firm decision to stay inside the car – instead of walking along the riverbank of the River Wye. The moaning continued until they saw a boat drifting down with the tide and called out for a ride (I encouraged them and showed them how to thumb a lift!) The tension between us disappeared.
At every change of scenery they looked for places to spend money and machines to play. They are unaware of simple delights which do not cost. (Boo, Who wants to do that?)
But today they did climb a tree, and swing on the willow branches like jungle creepers, played hide & seek in one of the largest and oldest castle in Britain. They also made friends with a German boy, Eric and fired toy arrows from a bow.
They straddled the border of England and Wales in the middle of Chepstow Bridge. “Please” they heard us ask, “Do not eat or drink in the car or as you walking along”. They didn’t exactly sit on the picnic blanket and eat, but stayed standing around it as if not sure about sitting and eating together. Was it too close for emotional comfort? They didn’t exactly eat their sandwiches either, but devoured their crisps and sweets. One person had forgotten to bring food and two lads did offer their sandwiches! Much appreciation was expressed “That is really kind of you, thank you!” They need to hear and learn the vocabulary of social acceptance.
Later after much running and chasing around the dungeons, ramparts and courtyards of the castle they showed appreciation at a drink and biscuit I offered, I said “Now that’s what I like to hear. It makes me feel good to hear you say ‘thank you’ for what I bring you.”
Earlier, one of the boys felt he had to be the “finder” too many times (he wanted to hide), so I encouraged him to be more assertive and gave him the words to say, “It’s my turn to hide now, that’s only fair.” He replied with, “but they’ll say they won’t play with me then”.
“Then you say, ‘ok, if you can’t be fair, I won’t play either’ and see what happens when you stand up for yourself”.
The concept of fairness was also pointed out later i.e. taking turns to sit in the middle seat at the back of the car.
The afternoon finished with a friendly kick about between the three of them. I did manage to tackle the ball off them once each, which did make a positive humerous connection between us as we tussled. They loved getting the better of me most of the time.
High energy continued in the car journey back as their name labels were put out of the window in the wind outside to flap and click and begin to disintegrate. So there was delight at small pleasures but not in the way anticipated. This is often the case; expected outcomes just don’t happen, so we watch out for the unexpected but equally rewarding change in behaviour. They all had a small ball, a post card of the castle and an Easter egg to take home. A good day out enjoyed by all!
