September 2007

So, we’re back; all present and correct.  All the little ones seem to have grown enormously during the summer break and have all taken up where they left off in July, trying out all the activities and equipment again; the difference being that bicycles seem to be a little smaller and easier to manage for some Little Dragons.

The biggest change is in the babies who show increasing responsiveness and delight when communicated with.

Carers are also back with a vengeance and we assume that some have not spoken a word since 17th July as they are all chatting ten to the dozen as if to make up for lost time.  It’s great!

During our break in Italy Frank and I were very aware of the different groups of children in our hotel and on the beach.  There were several nationalities, mainly Italian, German and English.  As with children everywhere there were differences in behaviour, approach of parents and, most of all, in the expectation upon those children.  For the most part the children of whatever age were quiet, well-behaved, managing generally to remember table manners and have thought for others.  However, there were some exceptions, certainly not of any particular nationality and without doubt mainly due to the handling by and expectations of their parents.

As one astute lady on the beach by us stated, ‘They need a naughty step for that child!’  In actual fact they really needed a naughty room/house/country/planet for him – a little boy of about 6 years who screamed and displayed one tantrum after another each time his prime wish was thwarted.  Neither of his parents could cope with him and resorted to bribery in the form of sweets and ice cream, or threats which they couldn’t possibly hope or mean to carry out. What they perhaps should have done was to forego their sun bathing session, pack up their bags and remove the screaming tyrant back to their hotel or apartment, repeating as necessary until he got the message loud and clear.  Perhaps then he could have begun to understand their hoped-for (one assumes) expectations.  Likewise the few little treasures who held their parents to ransom in the hotel dining room may have learned what was expected more quickly if they also had been removed quietly but firmly from the scene of their drama as many times as was necessary until they acquired a level of behaviour which fulfilled the hopes of their parents and the expectations of other guests.

This brings me nicely back to Little Dragons who, even after the break, continue to behave impeccably – they know the basic format and are secure in that format, knowing without being aware of it the expectation on them and on all who attend, be they Little Dragons, Carers or Leaders.

Val Butterworth

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Little Dragons by Joyce Hinton

Little Dragons, tender, sweet,
Running around on tiny feet.
They love to play with cars, lorries, puzzles,
Dressing up. Playdough and duplo with others.
Music, colouring, drawing, singing,
Circle Time with birthday cards, candles, fruit and drinking.

Happy times with lots of chatter.
What a noise, what a clatter.
But we love to have them one and all.

We meet on Tuesday, so why not call.