Are you interested in getting the most out of the young people you work with?
It seems to me that there is too much emphasis on criticising a young persons downfalls than to praise their strengths. If we as teachers and parents took more time to reflect on their efforts and explorations then something powerful happens... Our young people would be more likely to grow up to be more grounded, authentic adults.
What does encouragement mean?
'The act of giving someone support, encouragement or hope" - Oxford Dictionary
So, how do we encourage the young people we come into contact with?
I wholeheartedly believe that the key to encouragement is getting down to the same level, where a young person can relate to you as an equal. Become childlike in your curiosity towards their learning, ask why, be open to their ideas and then watch how they flourish.
The definition of creativity:
"Creativity is the ability to challenge, question and explore. It involves taking risks, playing with ideas, keeping an open mind and making connections where none are obvious". - Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood
Here are three ways that doing just that can positively impact young people:
1. Increases self esteem - emotions like fear, anxiety, stress and anger narrow focus and hinder concentration while when we create a space filled with encouragement and positive affirmations, their emotions will immediately switch to feeling more calm, relaxed and able to comfortably take on the task at hand.
2. Gives the confidence to take risks - when young people feel valued and acknowledged, it gives them confidence to try new things with the assurance that they haven't 'got it wrong'. This is a massive factor in cultivating creativity.
3. Builds on a sense of challenge - when a young person is gently challenged to reach a goal - often something they never saw themselves doing, they feel really empowered. You change the way they perceive their abilities which is a HUGE deal!
To conclude, praise impacts young people in a such a way that they can achieve so much more. Push their limits creatively through being challenged and they have the safe space to be the best they can be with positive feedback and a supportive environment.
With love,
Amy x
I'm very excited to announce that I am working alongside Northampton company 'Notivate' to launch their Singer/Songwriter course into London!
A six week programme with a group of twelve young people, aiming to help them to express themselves, explore their feelings and perhaps try something for the first time. It offers children the chance to feel better about themselves and is about music, but is more about "me".
There are six fun, practical sessions, carefully designed to encourage children to realise their creative potential and expand their emotional awareness. Based on ten years' experience of working with over 3,000 children, the Motivate Programme helps to increase self-esteem, willingness to take creative risks and confidence to learn.
I'm looking forward to putting what I've learnt from delivering my own songwriting workshops into this acclaimed songwriting programme. The first 'Notivate London' Singer/Songwriter course will take place January 2016 in a school in Deptford, South East London.
Watch this space!
In association with South Northants Council, we have our 'Singing, Songwriting and Stage' course this August at Roade Village Hall. Running for 5 days from the 4th-8th, ActuallyAmy Songwriting will be there each day to coach and guide the young people through the songwriting process. Alongside vocal expertise from Lucie Diedhiou and drama with Michelle from Across the Boards Theatre.
It's a highly creative, fun week for your 8-14 year olds!The aim of the week is to promote individual development in young people, inspiring and encouraging each other to bring out creativity as a group.
Lucie will be working on voice projection, tone and blending, using fun warm up songs and a variety of different song styles to help each small group work together in a team.
Lucie and Amy will then work alongside each other, Amy will record groups that have already worked with Lucie to finish and complete their original songs. The key ethos of ActuallyAmy Songwriting is to promote well being and ensure every young person feels good about themselves. With some cool vocal effects and funky sounds, Amy will help the young people create their own songs from scratch.
Across the Boards Theatre’s Michelle Henry-Moore will be leading the drama strand where the children will partake in energetic teambuilding games, storytelling, role-play, improvisation and puppetry making.
This is not your typical holiday course where children are being trained to become outstanding performers, but instead is a programme which encourages creative thinking and utilises the group’s ideas and opinions, shaping these to become our finished product.
Contact Sue by phone: 01327 322334 or email: sue.carverhill@southnorthants.gov.uk to book your child's place!
