“That was the best day of my life.”
Children thinking differently about themselves and their future.
Having opportunities and experiences in new settings, having new roles and relationships means that children can come to understand themselves differently in that context and for the duration of that experience. Sometimes the impact of these moments can be fleeting but sometimes they can be profound and enduring. The opportunities and experiences that children have can have a significant impact on how they understand themselves and their future. Paul, a local deputy head teacher, outlined just how significant these events can be for pupils.
“And no exaggeration. I think most events we've done, at least one child will come away saying, "That was the best day of my life."
I've worked with the family for seven years. They had a significant loss of one of the parents, so it's a lone parent. 2 girls have different interests, but the younger one always felt like she missed out. So, I did the football thing for her. She went with an uncle. And she rushed up the next day to tell me. She'd got things signed. She'd done that. For her Christmas present this year, her mum has saved up and she's buying her a season ticket for Worthing FC. The long-term impact and the introduction of this new passion is creating belief in these children, which I think is really important.”
Paul, local deputy head teacher.
The richness of children’s support landscape shapes their capacity to reflect on and reimagine themselves differently as they transition through childhood. It shapes the insights they gain about themselves and their learning about the world around them and their place in it. Experiences of solidarity with others during different social opportunities and experiences impacts the prospects for children in terms of their sense that they belong either generally or in a specific context.
Having regular access to these opportunities has a number of impacts on those children who are considered ‘advantaged’, including greater community social capital and networks, a great understanding of the norms and institutions that shape social interaction in a community, and resources. It means greater access to green space and after school programmes and other activities that promote healthy child development. Having these opportunities, often for the first time, not only positively impacts their sense of belonging but also provides a context for young people to think differently about themselves, their futures and how they belong in the world around them.
It shapes the insights they gain about themselves and their learning about the world around them and their place in it.
Many may not feel valued and have a lot of experience of not being able to add value to themselves.
As disadvantaged children become older they can find it very difficult to articulate their futures, using words like “dark”, “fog”, “hazy” and “murky”. Many may not feel valued and have a lot of experience of not being able to add value to themselves, others, work, or community and this can foment a negative mindset about their futures. Ben, a local pupil clearly makes this link between the opportunities and being able to develop a mindset about the future.
