Children challenged to leave comfort zone
Children have been challenged to get out of their comfort zone and try new activities at a Palmerston North school.
Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School held a “Be Brave” day on Friday where children took part in a range of new activities.
The school has a roll of about 700 and all children were mixed across the different activities, with teachers also trying something new too.
Activities included making candles, boxing training, Māori weapon training mau rākau, milking cows, building outdoor shelters and creating stop-motion videos.
Teacher Mary Siu said they came up with the idea at the start of the year and wanted to children to be brave, try something they hadn’t done before, and build relationships or whanaungatanga.
The school’s inquiry topic this term was whanaungatanga.
“It’s about connection while trying something new. It’s great to see kids in a different light and kids to see staff in a different light.”
She said a few children had been nervous before starting their activity but once they started they loved it.
The day was part of the Be Brave series and there would likely be one each term for the rest of the year.
There were 30 activities for the children. They picked their top six then were sorted into groups.
Some children visited a farm, while others spent time with cheerleading groups or exploring The Regent on Broadway theatre. “Teachers are being brave too, meeting new kids and teaching something outside what they normally do by choosing something they love to do.”
Pupil Fia Maskill, 12, was in the group making dumplings and said it had been a good experience. She had done some cooking at home before, but making dumplings was something new to her. “It’s good to meet people I never thought I would be friends with, and step out of my comfort zone.”