February 2010
Busy days at Little Dragons! Weekly attendance varies from 25 to 42 - resulting in an average attendance of 33 per session since September. When the weekly attendance is 42, it is quite busy – 42 little pairs of feet, plus 42 pairs of adult feet belonging to carers, plus 6 pairs of Senior Dragon feet, plus the odd visiting grandparent results in a possible total of 184 feet engaged in the various Dragon pursuits. Actually, whatever the number, the noise level is about the same each session. The ‘Littlies’ sit/stand/crawl and listen to/watch the story and never fail to play their part in a vigorous singing activities. Still, after 3 and a bit years, we all enjoy the fun of being together and continue to take delight from the experience.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall! This week a mirror was placed part-way down the main aisle. It was interesting to note the reactions of the Little Dragons who noticed it. One little girl who is extremely shy spent quite a lot of time wheeling a doll and pram back and forth, up and down, as she examined her image in the glass. She smiled at her reflection on each occasion and took obvious delight in the occupation. A couple of little boys cycled past, at a slightly slower pace than is usual for them, as they admired their prowess reflected for the world to see. Others stood close up to the glass and gazed in surprise at the image in view with total fascination. How lucky they all are to be able to gaze at their own image, in front of others, without being thought to be narcissistic. Most of us probably haven’t indulged ourselves thus since teenage.
Reflection! Although, as the years roll on, we may become less fascinated with our external image (or learn to live with it), we may spend more time reflecting on the years that have passed and the years (we hope) still to come. On reflection we may wish that we had made different decisions, followed different paths at times. However, let us be glad for the joys we have received and the good times we have experienced, but also for the things that life has taught us through the situations and circumstances that have made us the people we are.
Perhaps, like the Little Dragons, we can look at ourselves afresh and take stock; remembering always that a smile makes us look ten years younger.
Val Butterworth