Shine Spring22 Weekly Focuses Edition

Spring term 2022

This term, alongside the Superheroes theme for the 4-7s and Jack and the Wonderbeans for 7-12s, the children will work on developing a different social skill each week. From learning about the power of kindness and praise to the art of making an entrance, we'll wrap up the learning in fun drama-based games. You can pull out this page to keep track of what your child learn each week.

Week 1: 19th - 24th April

4-7s: My Superpower is...

Our Superheroes adventure begins by meeting new friends and we'll play some games to find out what our Top Secret Mission is.

7-12s: Introducing Jack and the Wonderbeans

We'll explore what 'glamour' means as we explore the story of the new show we're working on.

Week 2: 25th April - 1st May

4-7s: Confidently entering a room

First impressions count and, using our Superhero Circle, we’ll improvise scenarios where we might need some extra self-assurance powers to help us feel confident.

7-12s: Making an entrance

Being the first at a party may feel daunting so, in this session, we’ll demonstrate how children can hold their heads high and use strong eye contact to help them feel confident.

Week 3: 3rd - 8th May

4-7s: Taking turns

Children are innately impatient and often find it hard to wait for their turn. We’ll discuss what happens if everyone wants their turn at the same time and learn that, if we all wait and take our turn fairly, everyone will feel happy.

7-12s: Learning to patient

Learning why it’s important to be patient, not interrupt and wait our turn is enlightening for older children. Through role-play we’ll discover why using a little bit of self-restraint is so important.

Week 4: 9th - 15th May

4-7s: Making decisions together

Children should learn that their views count and to understand the value of listening to the opinions of others. In this fun session, everyone will cast a vote.

7-12s: Being democratic

It’s important for children to understand what living in a democratic society means. We’ll practise expressing opinions and voting for what we believe in.

Week 5: 16th - 22nd May

4-7s: Talking in front of a big group

Children start ‘show and tell’ from an early age which is good practice for public speaking. Using our specially designed PERFORM checklist, we’ll practise projecting our voices and speaking with confidence.

7-12s: Perfecting public speaking

Boosting development of public speaking helps children build self-esteem and confidence. We’ll look at the meaning of strong body language, eye contact and vocal projection in this fun session.

Week 6: 23rd - 29th May

4-7s: The same but different

This week, we’ll celebrate the fact that we all have something special and different to bring to our Perform class and discuss how our class might be if we were all the same.

7-12s: Celebrate diversity

WThere are huge benefits in people being different and holding alternative views. We’ll discuss what life would be like if there was no diversity in the world.

Week 7: 4th - 10th June

4-7s: High Five!

Giving praise nurtures a child’s confidence and sense of self. Using positive reinforcement and compliments, we’ll play a game where everyone has something nice to say.

7-12s: A round of applause for you!

Praise boosts self-worth and increases motivation. In this feel good session, we’ll explore how positive feedback makes us feel.

Week 8: 11th - 17th June

4-7s: Pretty please

Children are natural persuaders, whether wanting an ice-cream or a trip to the toy shop! We’ll discuss differences between persuading someone and forcing them to do something.

7-12s: The power of persuasion

Children can be helped to express ideas persuasively with clarity and confidence. We’ll role-play scenarios where we persuade a classmate who holds a different view.

Week 9: 18th - 24th

4-7s: Concentration is key

The ability to focus helps children learn which in turn will build their self-esteem. Switching our listening ears on, we’ll play a game where we try hard not to be distracted.

7-12s: Fabulous focus

With so many distractions in the modern world, good concentration skills can benefit a child’s mental health. We’ll be on full alert this week during some concentration exercises.

Week 10: 25th June - 1st July

4-7s: Be kind

Encouraging kindness in children helps them feel better, not only about the world they live in but also about themselves. This week, we’ll channel superhero-kindness towards each other.

7-12s: Kind is the new Cool

Treating others as we’d like to be treated ourselves is something we can teach children from an early age. We’ll use improvisation to show how kindness makes us feel.