Coming out of the Bubble
When the news came that we could reopen on the 12th April, it came with a sense of trepidation. No one really dared breathe or make promises. The answer to every question was never simple and responses to general enquiries seemed to go on forever with a list of what ifs and provisos.
We watched the R rating like a camper watches the weather forecast…will we, won’t we? Finally we did reopen although always with a feeling that we could end up back under house arrest at any time. I haven’t cancelled the Zoom subscription just yet, put it that way!
Going back has been fantastic though and really busy! Parents desperate for something to do with their children have booked on in droves but what is really noticeable is the increase in emails that express worries over self-esteem and social skills. In one of our first sessions back, I had to take 3 individuals out of the room as they were simply overwhelmed at being in a group that wasn’t their school bubble.
What has really changed though is the general demographic of our kids. We always had a lot of little ones, pre school age classes were always popular, and still are, but where the 10+ age group were somewhat harder to entice we now have classes that are full with waiting lists and I now feel incredibly short when I walk into some classes!
This group of kids have suffered the most, perhaps, while the pre-school age have likely been affected the least. Nurseries continued through lockdown and for those that didn’t need to go, if anything being at home with the parents wasn’t a bad thing at all; some might argue it was as it should be. For the primary and secondary kids however, the lack of social interaction, the inability to express emotions, share fears and learn with friends and peers has taken its toll.
When I first started teaching children, I was told that children learn better in groups. I’m not saying classes of 30 plus are good for any educational system but, in general, being around your own age group and hearing others’ ideas and opinions encourages children to show empathy and form their own beliefs.
We have always advocated that drama is a fantastic way to help children gain those all-important transferable life skills. The performing arts – TV, film and streamed theatre – kept us all going throughout lockdown and now it seems they may show us the way to repair some of the social damage of those long months.
A child of 11yrs recently beckoned me over in class to tell me, very quietly, that she was nervous about singing in front of other people. I shared that, as a child, I was so shy I would get sent to the classroom next door to ask for a board rubber and after 5 minutes of standing outside too scared to knock, another child would be sent to retrieve me and do the task instead! Then, after having to also explain what a board rubber is, I told her that I have been a professional singer for 20+ years but until I was 15 I refused to let anyone hear me. I sang in my room to myself and the first time I performed for a handful of teachers in a school competition, I was so nervous I threw up in the toilets beforehand.
She seemed genuinely surprised to learn all that, but overcoming my fear that day took me where I wanted to be, not just as a performer, but as an individual in the world. I went on to sing as the winner of that little competition and then as a professional performer and I know that if it hadn’t been for drama and dance and the opportunity I had to do them, I would still be out in the corridor, knocking so lightly no one could hear.
Children need to express their fears and in turn develop the skills to overcome them. We aren’t looking for the next Hollywood star but if we can help children raise their voice or face a class with courage then that’s enough. Another child who, 3 years ago, would hold my hand and cry every time she entered the room stood up and sang solo for the group this week. I have a list of similar children and I am continually amazed by their ability and I am so so proud of them.
And as for us – we’re back, face to face, facing fears and loving every minute.
