What is the Power within Us?

Understanding our inner sense of self to be acknowledged for some greater sense at times, we have a tendency to refer to superheroes. The fantasy world offers us to step into this imaginative possibility within seconds. The extraordinary power within this superhero idea seems to empower us to be brave and courageous. However, the line between superheroes and actionable movements is very thin. The words may cross to another side, which can be seen as aggressions, like smash or something loosely spelled like phew, phew, phew. Being able to synchronize with this notion, we think it is essential to strike a balance. So the force may live peacefully within us :)! Borrowing the words from our dear Yoda - "A Jedi Uses The Force For Knowledge And Defence, Never For Attack." - The Empire Strikes Back (1980).

Harold Finds a Voice by Courtney Dicmas (Child’s Play international) tells the story of a cheerful, brightly coloured parrot who is brilliant at mimicking all sorts of noises, but doesn’t know the sound of own. We invite Harold to join our group discussion. The question we individually attempt to attend to is “What kind of power do we have within us?” which resonates with the big idea of finding the power within us.

Love - Nora

We collect the inspiring voices from within us to discover more understanding of the above question. Believing in sharing our individual thoughts or actions with Harold, the parrot, we are hopeful he may figure out of his own, likewise us.

Please - Margo

Thank you - Felix

Hi! - Vivaan

 Since we too understand from a paper presented by Dr. Sharon Lamb to the American Psychological Association concludes that modern superheroes do not provide positive role models for children: "today's superhero is too much like an action hero who participates in non-stop violence; he's aggressive, and rarely speaks to the virtue of doing good for humanity". ​

A launcher to find something bad - Fides

We think it is important for us to be able to distinguish what is good and what is bad and, identifying with the hero, we embody a model, we line up with the good and through this we can discover our values. In our quest to instill the values, we attempt to unpack this interest of superheroes, by posing question to ourselves what we would do if we're in the superhero's shoes. This will encourage us to step outside of own experiences and develop a broader perspective. ​

During our insightful discussion, we immerse ourselves in the inspiring story of Terry Fox (https://youtu.be/3BzyHYZgMz8?si=-cdmfgSoHcg7x6kR) which correlates with the concept of real world superheroes.

When further prompted to elaborate of the strengths of our favorite superheroes, we may delve into the narrative of how as descriptive actions. In the words of Stan Lee, the legendary creator of many iconic superheroes, with great power, there must also come great responsibility.

​When prompted with the question what is the power within us?, an array of individual pieces may offer some possibilities to intertwine closely. 
Nora eloquently expresses putting people in a place that is safe.
Margo shares her aspiration to save people from house fires, while Felix envisions using his power (to swiftly respond) to building collapses.
Brooks, with determination, declares superheroes save the city; I have to do it."
Vivaan, embodying a sense of duty, asserts I'm a soldier; I have to save the good people.

By voicing out his thought, we develop awareness and instill a sense of civic duty. Through this multifaceted experience, we not only learn about heroism but also cultivate values that contribute to personal and societal well-being.

To make this concept more tangible for us, we help ourselves identify real-world superheroes - individuals in our communities who embody the values. This not only reinforces the importance of these values but also makes us realize that one doesn't need superpowers to be a superhero. This could be as simple as offering to assist in mealtimes set-ups, serenading melodious piece to the hustle and bustle of life. and many more. 

Making connection to the gentle and hard sounds of the wind indeed encompasses Nora's inner strength to pause, reflect, and appreciate the wonders of the world around. Similarly, Emily discovers her determination as her inner strength. These powers to tackle everyday challenge with integrity, kindness, and strong values of right or wrong. 

​​This exploration not only sparks imaginative responses but also instills valuable learning experiences. By contemplating our inner strengths and potential roles as everyday heroes, we tap into empathy, kindness, and a sense of responsibility.

To be more in line with the spirit of related values, we engage ourselves in a creative exploration, crafting our own mandalas using sea shell, flowers, buttons, and wine corks. Through discussions, we explore the concept of mandalas, fostering both artistic expression and cognitive learning process. By sharing pictures, we enhance our visual literacy and expand our understanding of diverse artistic forms. This hands-on learning experience not only nurtures our creativity but also promotes fine motor skills as we carefully arrange elements.

Kindest,
Children & Friends.