Dilantha Suraji Ranasinghe

Circle of Courage Circle of courage a gift to us all, We learn as we like, to love as we give, The circle of courage helps us to see, Believe in power in you and me, We know if we try, we’ll find it inside, We’re all a part of the circle, It never ends; it’s there to guide us, Just like a friend. The four spirits of circle of courage represent universal human needs, S4 frame-work. Start, Smart, Stay, Safe honors the philosophy of the circle of courage. “I am only one; but I’m one, I cannot of everything; but I can do something, And I will not let what I cannot do, Interfere with what I can do” -Edward Everett Hale- Childs age group is 3½ to 4½ years. There are 11 children in this class. Teacher was very friendly & giving warmth welcome to the children when they entered into the class. From this first impression they feel good. But the child I’m talking, Biyoni, was very happy to come to school. Because I know her from the play group. But when she came to the Nursery class for 1 – 2 weeks, she was ok. After that she cries in the class, at home telling that she can’t go to school. The reason for this is, she wants the teacher to listen every time, what she tells and to be with the teacher, also helping her work. For this short period in Nursery class, teacher doesn’t have a time to understand the child. So I think the child, little bit lost her feelings of belonging. When the teacher got to know this child needs more loving impressions of belonging, she started to be more loveable and caring. Now the child coming to school with no complains. She likes to tell the teacher what she did yesterday. On the very first morning when she comes to school, hang her bag and starting to tell the yesterday story. Other children also starting to do the same. Children in this class, Biyoni, will experience the spirit of belonging and they know “I am loved”. “The presence of a strong sense of belonging makes young people more Receptive to guidance from other community members” There are lot of art and craft activities. After the activity done, appreciate doing a good job and encouraging other’s to do better. Biyoni like this very much. She wants to do it better and asking the teacher, “Am I good?”. When the time of story telling, apparatus and music, by giving a positive feedback, children likes to involve it very much. Biyoni also the same. She likes very much to answer the questions as soon as possible, before others. Specially when writing on the dotted lines, 1st line she writes and show it to the teacher. She expects to say “good”, then writes other lines also for her best. She always ready to help teacher, to take any responsibility, cause she’s thinking that she was very important. “Since all need to feel competent, all must be encouraged in their Competency. striving for attainment of a personal goal, not being Superior to one’s opponent” Biyoni most of the time work independently. Doesn’t want to hold her hand for writing, colouring or any other activities. She thinks independently. As I told earlier, no one needs to tell her what to do. When teacher cutting papers, she takes the waste papers, asks the teacher “Shall I put it to the bin?” and do the needful. One day teacher was very busy with her work. Biyoni took a story book and started to read it to others, referring pictures. One by one, other children started to come near her and listening patiently, better than a teacher telling a story. Developing child’s independence will foster creativity and resource fullness to overcome barriers and consider consequences. “Persons without a sense of autonomy, come to see themselves as Pawns in a world, where others control their destiny” When playing with the puzzle, Biyoni is always ready to share the puzzle after she finishes that. Helps others who were unable to make it. When a child was unable to read letters or Count number, she was always ready to help. There are only three cycles to play. On the play time everyone need to get a turn. So at this situation also teacher has the ability to teach children about sharing. “Children were instructed to always share generously without holding back” Dilantha Ranasinghe