'How Long Stalk Became a Flower’ is a story of inclusion and therefore it is crucial for all children to remain a part of the Circle experience. If children are displaying signs of disruption, I will take notice and try to engage the child or children into the story, or possibly have the child/children sit closer to me. If they continue, ask them quietly if they want to stay with the group, or would they like me to read them the story after circle time. Let them know this ‘circle time’ is for the whole group. I usually can intuit what a child needs to draw them into the experience, but if a child or children continue to disrupt the experience, let them know that when I begin to read ‘the story’ it will be time to listen. If they continue to find it hard to listen, they can leave the circle, while making sure to let them know I will read the story to them after the circle experience is complete.
Understanding that Parents and Teachers may already have strategies in place for children with specific behaviors, if possible, please assure the child or children, I will read the story to them after the Circle is complete.
The fundamental theme to the Long Stalk story is one of inclusion and the building of friendship in Long Stalk’s journey to becomes whole; so while a child may be removed, reading the story to them at a later time will give them the option to be included, build on friendship, while also giving the lesson of respect for the Circle.
The extra time to read to the child or children in a smaller or quieter environment is a small inconvenience to the greater goal of inclusion and respect- even to return the next day at my own expense if the time that day does not allow for the exception.
Long Stalk’s story is the foundation story to the East End Park East Van Stories series, which continues to build on qualities of respect, courage, honesty, self-esteem, awareness, power, dreaming, destiny, cooperation, and understanding; while building new heart-pathways that empower children to rise above and heal from diminishing beliefs and experiences such as rejection, loss, death, fear, bullying, indifference, neglect and more.
Long Stalk sets the stage for his own development when he proclaims ‘I think I need a friend’ Finding the perfect place for friendship to grow in East End Park, Long Stalk's journey comes full circle when he recognizes all the love he has inside is to be shared, when he opens his eyes and smiles for the first time; a metaphor for the child who is happy and recognizes their own worth.
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