The way you can measure a society’s soul is by the way that it treats its children.
Nelson Mandela
Issue No. 29- 23rd November 2006
Welcome to Kidz Newz especially to all new subscribers. Kidz Newz is a regular newsletter with information and teaching tips for anyone involved with young children. You are receiving this because you have attended one of my workshops, purchased a book, or you have requested to be on the mailing list. Thank you. Please forward this to anyone you feel it may be of interest to.
Feedback is welcome.
My PD Updates
ECCPA (Early Childhood Conference of Performing Arts) Genazzano FCJ College, Cotham Road, Kew, Melbourne 16th and 17th June 2007. My presentation will be on multicultural music and movement.
Dealing With Indigo Children
I’m sure you’re all familiar with the book Indigo Children by Lee Carroll and Jan Tober. Broadly speaking these children are different, not necessarily ADD or ADHD but they can be. These children are in their own little worlds. Many children are like this but Indigos differ in their sensitivity to their surroundings and to people and in their ability to see the big picture. Usually highly intelligent, these children seem to have a ‘knowing’ about them. You hear parents saying the child has ‘been here before.’ They have a heightened spiritual sense without being aware of it. They seem to be disobedient and deliberately willful but it’s just that they have a totally different perspective on everything.
You may argue that it’s all to do with the parenting, that they are not disciplined at home. Not so. I have three boys, now in their twenties. They were all parented the same way. One of them is an Indigo. My son was reading The Celestine Prophecy at age 14. He was already on the spiritual journey. He was always the one displaying the above behaviour and he was often grounded, breeding resentment. Yes, I made mistakes, but I never stopped showing him how much he was loved and never stopped doing fun things with him. This is the key ‘ be sensitive and appreciative of their difference rather than condemning them for it. You will then find you have much to learn from them.
All my boys have a highly developed creative side (hardly surprising given that I’m their mother, providing lots of opportunity for them to draw, paint, dance, write stories, play music etc) but Indigos are more than just creative. Their creativity is to do with how they feel the world as well as how they feel about the world. Providing creative outlets for them is essential.
Treat them with respect by allowing them to express their preferences. Give them choices and responsibility. They are more than capable of handling it. Most children like this approach but that doesn’t make them Indigos.
This term Indigo Children has referred to the recent generation of children as we enter the Age of Aquarius, the spiritual age. These children, who have a different perspective, will be the world’s leaders (I don’t mean necessarily in a political sense) and will be more sensitive to global issues. I would argue that the geniuses of previous generations have all exhibited these traits. Think about it. Einstein, for example, was labeled unteachable, a slow learner, a dunce. There are countless other examples throughout the ages. Indigos have always been here. It’s just that there are more of them now. With a greater understanding and appreciation of difference, these children can develop and express themselves, becoming the people they were destined to be, even though they may seem somewhat of a trial to us while they are growing up.
So, don’t rail against them, tune into them and allow them to be. For further articles on this topic read Wendy Chapman at www.metagifted.org. She says ‘EMPOWER THEM by LETTING THEM DEVELOP AUTONOMY.’ I couldn’t agree more.
Quotes of the Week
Love an individual human for themselves, and they will learn from you. Andrew Curran, paediatric neurologist – Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Liverpool.
“My mother said to me, ‘If you are a soldier, you will become a general. If you are a monk, you will become the Pope.’ Instead, I was a painter, and became Picasso.’
Entertainment
Various gems from children. With thanks to Julie Duckworth, Hereford, UK, for the letters.
We read Thos. Edison made light. But in Sun. school they said you did it. So I bet he stoled your idea. Sincerely, Donna
Dear God, If you let the dinasor not exstinct we would not have a country. You did the right thing. Jonathan
Dear God, Please send Dennis Clark to a different camp this year. Peter
Feedback
I learnt how to use different techniques for music and relaxing.
Janette Rust, Hereford UK
About The Author
Marlene Rattigan B.A., Dip. Ed. (ECS), CELTA
Marlene Rattigan is an Early Childhood teacher, a teacher of English as a Second Language, and from 1987-2000 was a nationally accredited fitness leader. Her background is in music education. A keen interest in motor development in children led to the creation of Kidz-Fiz-Biz which she taught successfully for 13 years. Marlene also conducts workshops for children, teachers and parents at schools, in the community and at festivals. She has produced teaching manuals complete with audio CDs which are an extension of her ‘Kidz-Fiz-Biz’ program.
Kidz-Fiz-Biz
57 Henry Lawson Walk, East Perth WA 6004
T: +61 8 9325 1204 M: 0410 64 2781 E: info@kidzfizbiz.com
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Until next time – continue being a legend in your classroom.
Marlene Rattigan, Editor
Kidz Newz
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