Reflection in preparation on the art atelier with teen-age students
The previous session with this group was very challenging. I had the feeling that the group was ‘out of control’. What is my need for control? It gives me a sense of value, purpose, sense of direction where the group is going and sense of safety.
I am used to being the captain on a boat knowing the route and directing the group, this gives me a sense of safety. -> Can I be the captain, giving a sense of direction, letting them go and at the end bring them back together?
How can I let the rains looser and go on a journey with the young people, while having a wider perspective?
I can get more curious and step into a dialogue with them without necessarily needing to know the answers, help them to find their own answers.
In the last two weeks I had time to reflect on the session from the 29th Oct to gain further understanding on what happened and what I can do differently.
What do I want to experiment in today’s session?
| Planning 12th Nov | Reflection after class 15th Nov | |
| Preparation | ||
| Compassion with self | Wear something, I feel myself inSee this as an experimentTake with me a sense of humourBreathing and compassionate meditation before the class | I wore something I felt myself inI had a certain distance and most of the time could see it as an experimentThere was no space for me to do a compassionate meditation before the class, however had a sense of compassion when starting the class |
| Theme / Brief | Have more practical idea on what I want to do with them.Bring examples of art work | I brought a clear direction and examples for the project |
| During session | ||
| Building the container | Check in with Challenging student before the sessionWhat do they want to get out of the class?What could be the vision for our group? What do we want to do together? | I had a loose chat with Challenging student, but did not check with her specifically.I mentioned my thoughts and gave examples but did not turn it into a conversation.When asking the question what they wanted to do together the group stayed silent. |
| Practise of compassion during session self and group | Acknowledge my limitations and find out together | I acknowledged where I had limitations and it created space. |
While I write down the details on the course structure, the more it becomes clear to me that the group might be too young and it might be too direct to ask them these questions directly, put them on the spot or expect direct answers of them.
It might be good to mention a few things and questions but let it come in through their work or let it land, have a conversation while we work on something.
I need to work with the individual student, not stand on the side ‘observing or directing’. It requires me to sit next to them and understand their world through their eyes.