Restorative circle
Hi!
I have a question for who ever could help me.
I have been struggling to establish a restorative circle "routine" with my 9-10 year olds in the afternoon school daycare. It turns out it is extremely difficult as:
they are up to 26 in the group
it is very very hard to silence them so they could hear what the person with the talking/listening piece is saying
they would react to every word of the speaking person and after it goes like dominos (Yes, but she... You are lying... Yesterday/In the second grade (two years ago!) when blablabla one over the other...)
I am quite new at the school and I don't have experience with such big groups.
So our sessions are more disturbing than restorative as many old stories and frustrations come up in not a very organised and calm manner. It is exhausting and I feel so frustrated that it is harder for me each time to even plan this activity...
Thanks in advance for your advice, ideas, relevant experience with such big and young groups.
This is really tricky Nina! Especially if they are not used to this kind om practice. At one of the schools I worked at, they taught the kids to do easy mindfulness practices from first day in school and listen to a story, like a body scan. But with your group, start small. Maybe just practice the ”only to speak when I have the toy in my hand” And don’t give up!