Every kid is different. We hear this all the time, and obviously that is true. However it is very easy to put kids into different learning categories. When I go to a school or camp or festival there are two different groups of kids that I try to engage. The shy ones and the excited ones. I should say that I try to engage every child, but there is a specific reason why I am drawn to these kids.
There are so many children who are so sweet, kind, thoughtful but also shy. I know that these kids are often shoved to the background when someone like me comes to their class. It is very easy for them to feel unseen and to be drowned out by the louder kids. One strategy that I use to make them feel like they are contributing is to utilize their want to participate without having to call attention to them. I will ask everyone to show (play) me their ideas at the same time while I watch them all. I use this time to look at the quieter kids and see their ideas. Because there is so much noise around them they dont feel like they are in the spotlight, but when I say we are going with their idea because it was awesome, they always light up.
Something that I always try to determine with a kid is are they excited and passionate or disruptive and disrespectful. I love the kids that fall into that first category, probably because I was one of them. I see teachers trying to keep the peace and keep the focus on me by shushing these students. And it’s not that I don’t appreciate it or think that these teachers don’t understand these kids, however I want to encourage their creativity and passion. I always let them talk and will allow them, within reason, to derail the set plan. I like to run child led workshops that are goofy, and I love answering silly random questions.
Every Workshop I try to learn every kids name regardless of how loud they are or how excited they are. When I leave, like to think that the kids thought CRASH was different because I noticed them, listened to them and allowed them to be goofy.
-Hilary