LO 2 Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process
LO 5 Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively
LO 7 Recognise and consider the ethics of choices and actions
Implementation was always the most important stage in the learning process for me. Obviously, planning is where all the ideas are devised and where the event forms. Yet, when those plans are put into action, you enter a truly special phase. A phase of an extremely valuable learning experience. When the event is in action, you take on responsibilities and aim to perform your duties with the maximum degree of excellence and effort. This phase of implementation is something I felt while I was supervising the game stall, put together by “The Island Foundation” Global Concern for the Family Festival event.
The job Jean and I had seemed to be quite simple, but, surprisingly, it was at times challenging to maintain it. We had to supervise the “Sponge-throwing” game, which was quite popular amongst the children. From time to time, either Jean or I went to refill the water container and collect the sponges that were thrown around. During the first half-an-hour of the game, I commented that the paint on the sponges, that came from the colored board could be potentially dangerous for the children, since it could get into their eyes and mouths. Neither of us knew whether this paint was “safe” for the children, therefore I decided to tell the children that they had to keep their mouths closed while sponges where thrown at them, to avoid a potential safety issue. I felt good on reacting in such a way, and even though this didn’t remove potential danger by one-hundred percent, it still helped to improve it.
And while it appeared that we would only have these two tasks, besides making sure no one was to get hurt, the game stall soon turned quite chaotic. The children got bored of the convention of the sponge-throwing and “adapted” the game to their own interests, which was simply running around under the tent and throwing sponges at each other. The situation seemed relatively safe to us, however, this caused us to concentrate on the game more than we initially did, in order to maintain a degree of safety. This task was harder, yet with enough attention and effort, we managed to accomplish it.
Nevertheless, it is important to note the shortcomings of my involvement as well, since, through them, I can learn how to improve next time. At first, when the children “took over” the gaming stall I wasn’t quite sure what to do. This confusion and unpreparedness led to a lack of concentration on each of the children, which could have potentially led to someone injuring themselves by slipping, etc. Therefore, this particular experience of maintaining and managing the gaming stall was really useful for me, since now if similar situations arise I will be more capable at managing them effectively, with as much attentiveness as possible. Overall, I am glad to have contributed to Family Festival, serving my part in providing entertainment for the parents and children, and representing UWCSEA East.
