Published 01.03.2020
by Kids’ Own
by Kids’ Own
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A children's arts organisation and publishing house.
Artist: Sharon Kelly
Teacher: Fionnuala Hughes
The theme of resilience, triggered by the recent concerns in Sharon’s work, developed through an organic process of exploration using discussion, practical investigations and discoveries and reflection.
Questions arose concerning the resilience of materials, of our bodies and finally our minds.
How might we create protection for our mind? Could we each design and make a Mind Protector?
As the children considered their move from the safety and security of their primary school, into a new world, marking a very important milestone transition in their life, we invested time to discuss ideas, feelings and emotions behind the mind protectors. At the same time the children were able to articulate their fears and worries about growing up, moving schools and challenges that they would face in dealing with negativity and external circumstances.
The children’s absorption in making their Mind Protectors, their enthusiasm and ability to focus on the challenges involved in constructing and shaping their creations was amazing.
The purpose of the Mind Protector was to help build their resilience and provide the protection they needed moving forward, such as: ‘blow away bad memories’; ‘block out name calling’; ‘make my voice sound louder so I don’t sound so shy’; ‘block out people you don’t want to see’.
