The Amsterdam workshop trip reminds me again of how privileged I am to be part of the PARTICIPATE project. Even the weather, notorious for its wild wind and constant rain, granted us almost a whole week of beautiful sunshine.
When faced with the challenges slightly beyond our abilities, we often experience excitement and satisfaction. This is precisely how I feel right now, although before the workshop, I was anxious. Perhaps it was due to imposter syndrome or my introverted nature. Looking back, I am grateful that our training coach Dr. Eszter Salamon refrained from providing a detailed agenda for the last five days. Knowing the extent of new experiences awaiting me would have only heightened my anxiety.
Having worked as a teacher previously, I’ve witnessed how safety concerns have robbed children of their joy, restricting even basic activities like running in school hallways.
Learning about Anji play in China was truly enlightening. As Dr. Mitchel Resnick described, ‘Anji Play is a global leader in preparing today’s children for life in tomorrow’s society’. When Eszter shared the video with us, I was shocked and surprised, just like my peers. Having worked as a teacher previously, I’ve witnessed how safety concerns have robbed children of their joy, restricting even basic activities like running in school hallways. In contrast, Anji Play offers spaces where children can truly enjoy themselves in the play, and ‘return the right of True Play to every child’. It evoked memories of my own childhood, and I sincerely hope it can be implemented in more schools for the benefit of children.
The second day at the NEMO Science Museum was incredibly enjoyable. We were tasked with exploring risks and solutions, particularly concerning children’s safety measures implemented by the museum and parents, as well as the influence of cultural differences on parents’ behaviours. It was a truly eye-opening experience, one that my peers and I thoroughly enjoyed. We are amazed by the meticulous and comprehensive safety measures here. We engaged in a ‘protect the Earth from meteorites’ game, sparking thoughts on how we can incorporate enjoyable learning experiences for children. To better observe children and immerse myself in the experience, I participated in a 15-minute chemistry experiment where we followed step-by-step instructions to find out how gritting salt affects ice. Across from me, an adult and four children were conducting the same experiment. The girls were deeply focused on the task, working independently with minimal intervention or assistance from their teacher or parent.
It reminds me of Dr. Judit Horgas’s statement during our meeting the day after that students can only maintain focus on lectures for about seven minutes, with their most memorable takeaways being their own words. This philosophy aligns with the principles of Kumon, one of the most renowned kids learning centre in Japan, which prioritizes the ability to study independently, and encourages students to discover how to solve problems for themselves without asking for the answer.
Inspired and supported by mentors and my dear, intelligent peers, I am filled with happiness.
I am delighted to have gained insights into trauma and its impact on the brain during our training with Judit. It encouraged me to ask the right question – what happened to this child – rather than placing blame on them for their behaviour. For instance, the brainstem, located in the lower part of the brain, controls our responses to temperature, which can help to explain why a child might want to wear warm clothing even in summer. Understanding how trauma affects the developing brain enables us to recognize potential risks for children and communicate more effectively with them and their parents.
Beyond the wealth of knowledge gained, we also engaged in numerous role-plays, which I had heard of but never experienced before. I found them immensely enjoyable, sometimes surprising myself with my responses. Upon reflection, it feels like a journey of self-discovery, deepening my understanding of myself and my thoughts through playing others.
I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in this enriching and challenging five-day journey. Inspired and supported by mentors and my dear, intelligent peers, I am filled with happiness. Many thanks to all of you. I am looking forward to continuing this journey together, and contributing to this project, community, and society.
From Shan Hu, PARTICIPATE Doctoral Candidate
