From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Mathieu_Ren=E9?= <creaturiste-AT-primus.ca>
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:28:17 -0500
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Workshops: Helping too much?  (I think. . . )


One elementary school student in a puppet making workshop (various types) I 
gave a few years ago, had so little self confidence, that he was asking my 
permission or approval for every step of the puppetmaking.  "Is it okay like 
this?"
I eventually couldn't stand seeing him so insecure, and took out my secret 
weapon: empowering notions, which could become rebellious thoughts. Some 
adults of today may not approve of a kid who thinks for himself. Sweet 
notion of helping such a creature develop!
So I gave him a speech that sounded like this:

"For once, you are the total master of what you are doing. No one is going 
to tell you what to do about the look of your puppet. It's your own 
creation. Not an adult, not a classmate can decide for you.
You are in control! Make the decision, try things out, and then if you have 
some difficulties, ask for help. But first, try it. Enjoy!"
Then I left him alone, hoping he wouldn't fall back on the previous pattern. 
He didn't. He maybe asked two questions for the rest of the workshop, and 
they were quite pertinent.  That kids blew my mind when the class was almost 
over, when I saw what puppet he came up with. It was very simple, yet very 
efficient. His color choices were daring and fit perfectly.
That still is one of the proudest moments I got from teaching workshops.

Come to think of it, I was more than a bit theatrical about it. Hey, I was 
theatrical in most of the best workshop moments of my career!  So I guess 
during workshops, it's not only okay to be a little "too much" or "over the 
top", it's actually a good thing! 

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