As a parent, I want my kids to be ready for anything. I want them to be confident in social situations and compassionate for others in difficult situations. While there is certainly modeling of the behavior and encouragements I can provide in that direction, preparing them for the occasional uncomfortable situations - bullying, social exclusion, etc - that any kid can face at school, on the playground, or elsewhere can be difficult. That's why I really love doing Image Theater and Forum Theater role plays with kids.

Image Theater:
Defining Uncomfortable

Image Theater and Forum Theater are not about me or any other adults lecturing kids on how to behave or what to do in uncomfortable situations. It is first about creating a safe space for kids to show us what it means to be in an uncomfortable situation through acting and other movement activities. This way they don't have to find the words. They can show us directly. This is also very important for other kids to see as well because it helps them realize they aren't the only one who experiences these situations.

Forum Theater:
Responding to Uncomfortable

Once the kids have a chance to share the types of uncomfortable situations they see at school and other places, we dig a little deeper and ask if there are any stories they are okay sharing with the group. These are stories that maybe happened to them or to their friends. After listening, as a group we pick a story we want to turn into a small play.

The child telling the story becomes both the main actor and the director of the short play. We help them create the play with other kids who volunteer to be actors. The first version of the play shows how the uncomfortable situation did not go well. Maybe a kid was left out of the game or maybe someone made fun of how another kid looked.

Thankfully, we don't end there. We redo the short play but other kids watching can shout "Freeze!" when they have an idea of how to make the situation better. The kid who shouted freeze then becomes the main actor and creates a new way to respond. Maybe it goes well. Maybe it does not. But what is most important is that they have a safe space to experiment as different kids get to try new responses.

This is what builds confidence in our kids: giving them a safe space to try things and realize they can stand up for themselves and their friends in a peaceful manner.

If only I had said...

Wishing we had a chance for a do-over isn't an experience limited to kids. We all wish we had a chance for a do-over from time to time. So you can imagine how useful and special such opportunities to practice do-overs are.

A chance to practice do-overs is what we are providing for your kids. The KRUST (Kids Role-playing Uncomfortable Situations Together) workshop is for kids grades 2 - 5. It is at Red Emma's Free School Classroom (3128 Greenmount Ave, Baltimore, MD) on Sunday, January 26 from 10:30 am to 12 noon. This is also a great chance of you to meet my partners for this activity from Bmore Transform. My kids have attended many of their Comic Book Clubs and have had a great time.

The workshop is free but there is limited space click the button below to register. See you on the 26th at Red Emma's!