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Writer's pictureLouise Pendry

Difference & Listening

Last week, we ran a drama club session and took a bit of a punt on getting the children to listen. We recapped the expectations of drama – one of which was that we had to listen to each other. We encouraged them to think about what good listening might look like. It didn’t matter how they listened as long as they listened. So, it might mean being still or lying on the floor. It might be spinning or it might be looking at someone. The children created their own poses and giggled a bit. After, every time we asked them to listen they struck up a pose – two girls hugged each other and looked at the speaker, one lay on the floor, another chose to face us. It took slightly longer to get everyone to refocus.

So, it was a little chaotic at first because we didn’t get our perfect circle or a pause to ascertain silence. However, what we did get were children who were more present in their own bodies. Positions of comfort were adopted but also respect.


At the end, one girl lay on the floor and started making a noise during another groups performance. I did my best eye stare to suggest she should stop, she didn’t. So, I reminded her she could lie down but she still had to be respectful and listen to the others. She stopped back the noise.


This is an area of practice we want to develop this year. Our session felt really good – it was relaxed but it was also respectful. We live through our senses and our bodies ability to move. Recognising that in a drama circle is a small step to building a culture where difference is just that – “different” but not “less than”.


A woman is leaning to the left whilst miming sleep whilst a girl is leaning to the right, also miming sleep. Both are facing the camera.
Image Description: A woman is leaning to the left whilst miming sleep whilst a girl is leaning to the right, also miming sleep. Both are facing the camera.



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