Magic Circles The Benefits of Circle Time

Magic Circles: The Benefits of Circle Time Circle Times address many of the needs of today's children. Increasing stress in their lives comes from their homes, their schools and their lives generally, and Circle Times act as an excellent vehicle to counteract this by helping to build and maintain really solid levels of self-esteem. For a healthy, prosperous, flourishing society we need to ensure that future generations are happy, creative, responsible children today, with the motivation to learn readily and behave well, and these are the benefits which high self-esteem brings. Circle Times are the experiences children have,in a set period of time every day, when the teacher in each class in school gives priority to establishing a totally safe environment where every student will be enabled to evaluate and appreciate her/ his uniqueness and special qualities and because of that feel secure enough in her/himself to warmly endorse the qualities of others in the group. For a short time the academic curriculum is set aside and affective education, i.e. education of the emotions, is dealt with in a structured way. For many it will be the first time that the pupils realise the vital role that their emotions play in their behaviour patterns. This is where they can have the opportunity to see the difference it can make to try new ones without fear of ridicule or criticism. They will come to enjoy the freedom of expressing an opinion on matters which concern their daily living and feel comfortable about listening to and respecting the views of others. Children who have previously acted in an aggressive or passive way begin to see the advantages of assertiveness and are encouraged by the benefits this brings. Bullying shrivels and withers away when the bully understands the reasons for this behaviour and with much support from the group gets his needs met in non harmful ways. Victims are helped to learn how to deal with difficult situations. Children come to see the great value in friendship and relationships in the class blossom. Peer pressure becomes group support. When harmony reigns, learning flourishes. There is a very rich, diverse menu on offer in Circle Times. All the activities which take place are based on the philosophy that to achieve a healthy level of self-esteem which will ensure a life of well-being and contentment, children need the experience of feeling well able to deal with any problem or crisis they encounter and of feeling totally worthy of happiness, success, and respect from others. Enquiry can quickly ascertain that many children have already lost these convictions early in life through many varied negative experiences, but they can be helped to regain them, hopefully permanently, in Circle Times. Not by a quick fix, which is what so many approaches offer. The holistic way in Circle Times means that children will gently but firmly, sensitively but clearly, be shown how to use the skills which will enable them to see the difference between silly and sensible risks, so that they will ignore the former and have the courage to tackle the latter, be able to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages in all situations, think of the options, seek solutions, and act on their wise decisions. Because of the successes they gain now they will carry their self-confidence into adulthood and remember the skills they learnt to help them achieve it. Spontaneity and laughter is every child's birthright but is often missing. Having fun is an important element of Circle Times. It is not difficult to imagine that smiles formed by an appreciation of the worth of self and others, generated in the classroom when young, could begin to have a long-term dramatic effect on the negative culture which exists today as these children become older. Circle Times are now being conducted by teachers in schools all over the country for children of all ages. The teachers concerned need our encouragement and thanks for the vital role they are taking in helping our children attain the self-esteem they need to fulfil their potential and lead productive, fulfilled lives. Murray White U.K. Representative, International Council for Self-Esteem 5, Ferry Path, Cambridge CB4 1HB This was first published in SPES, the magazine f or the study of spiritual, moral and cultural values in education, April 1997.

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