One a Penny, Two a Penny (#9)
An update on my progress through the weeks
Hello again!
What a packed week it has been, but today has been just wonderful as I have been able to write, uninterrupted for the whole day. Such a happy day; let’s hope I can have more of them!
I am also particularly enthused having discovered what I think is a new element in the earliest play of children, that is, Performative Play. It seems to me to be the core of attachment between child and their primary attachment figure. And it is being rehearsed during pregnancy between mother and unborn child: secret language, special voice, secrets, storytelling and role-reversal (when mother answers herself ‘as if’ she is the baby).
The late Richard Courtney, who made such an important contribution to drama in education and to the emergence of dramatherapy, identified an important stage in child development. He says that, when the child reaches approximately 10 months, they create a ‘performance’, when they imitate another person and are rewarded by the appreciation of the adult. I agree with him but I believe there are performative elements before that.
I begin to discuss performance in my original book about NDP, Healthy Attachments and Neuro-Dramatic-Play, and I say:
‘The mother is engaged with her new born baby and dances their dance. Mother and baby then take turns to lead the dance, as they respond to each other in a playful way.’ (Jennings 2011, p. 134).
There is a lot more to this story, and I hope you dear readers will comment as well.
The story of Moose and Mouse and the Ducklings is due to be finished early in September. These stories, although helpful when working with children with ASD, are also popular with all young children, aged 6 and under. So September will see the start of a new story for Moose and Mouse, and I am also hoping to publish a collection of their short stories. My favourite is when they visit Stratford-upon-Avon and get caught up in a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream! You can listen to this story on YouTube.
Following on from the last One a Penny, I was reminded again of when I was a chorus dancer in Zip Goes a Million – the old George Formby musical. Again, it was the routine of two shows per night and Thursday and Saturday matinees. I had settled into the show and was conversant now with the words of the songs and the dance routines. Altered costumes fitted me well enough and I was pleased that I could call myself a professional dancer. It happened during the kicking routine called ‘Garter Girl’ where we wore cerise, sequinned leotards, skull caps with enormous ostrich feathers, fishnet tights and heels. In the middle of the dance routine we were in a circle and had to take a step on our left foot, and do a vertical kick with our right foot. Of course it had to be me; executing the perfect vertical kick, but my shoe decided to leave me and travel upwards to great heights before a resounding thud as it landed back on the stage again. Meanwhile I danced one-two-three offstage, with one shoe. The other girls were suppressing hysterical laughter, while I awaited a severe reprimand from the head girl!
With love,
Dr Sue
News and Views
Remember that we have free puppets, toys and books for play and dramatherapists, and others who work with children – these are new resources. I particularly would like to support newly qualified play therapists. They must be fetched from Wells. Please write in with your request: admin@ndpltd.org Perhaps you know of nurseries and infant schools who would like some additional resources?
Following the great success of our recent book tie-in webinars, we have some more coming up. In September, we have webinars on Attachment (with book); Dramatic Play and Role Play (with Role Cards). The tickets for each are only £35 including both the webinar and the resources, and so are a really excellent offer. The book RRP is £35.99 alone, and the cards £25.99.
Please see the images and booking links below…
Please get in touch if you would be interested in a daytime, monthly supervision group, probably a Wednesday morning.
Stressed at work? Difficult negotiations? Complex clients? Remember that there will be a new, free, confidential support group starting in September; coffee provided. Please email for address in Wells, and autumn dates.
The Wisdom of Clients
Therapist: ‘So what do you think the word ‘trauma’ means?’
Client: ‘You know, Miss – when it’s a big drama, everyone is being dramatic.’
Huge thanks to all you people who are paid subscribers of my Substack (members of ‘The Nest’) – it makes such a difference to enable me to write, instead of chasing other free-lance work. It is only £65 per year or £6 per month. As well as your own Newsletter every 10 days or so, you get 4 free webinars per year, and 10% reduction on any UK course. If you become a Founder Member then it is £120 per year, with all the above, and free consultations, and 6 free Webinars per year. Do join us!