Last night I went and saw Rabbit at the Silo Theatre (which was not actually *at* what used to be the Silo, and instead was shown at the Herald Theatre).

It was heartbreaking, and hilarious (not necessarily in that order), and was witty and just generally fantastic. It was strikingly honest about what girls gossip about, and explored the differences between men and women’s perceptions of sexual conquests and the desire to gossip (or not gossip) about them. Claire Chitham played the lead, and was absolutely fantastic, as was Peter Elliot. Tom, played by Dean O’Gorman was gorgeously understated (mostly the gorgeous part) that it makes you wish he was more than just a character with the actors face. The supporting cast was absolutely hilarious; snarky, clever, with faults just like “real” people. Honestly, it was superbly done.

It was directed by Oliver Driver (who could almost be the bees knees as far as NZ theatre goes) who did a fantastic, fantastic job. Honestly, if your in Auckland go and see it. It runs up until the 17th of April. Go and see it!

So, as part of working this stint in an Early Childcare Centre we have been instructed to ‘reflect’. I understand that the point of having to do reflections means that we have to look at ourselves and our teaching practice objectively. It also means that we have to actively *do* something about it, which I hadn’t quite banked on until I got to the ‘Act’ part of a “difficult child” reflection. Because, you see, this child is all kinds of difficult, and I don’t really know how to help that.

At 8am its not so bad, you do some talking, you do some practicing of words that you can use instead of your fists, you explain and agree on what is acceptable behaviour and what is not. You get the child to apologise (if someone needed apologising to) and you go on your merry way. Rinse and repeat as needed (which WILL be five minutes later). By 4 oclock and a billion million repetitions, your pretty much out of patience, are all kinds of frustrated and will end up just chanting ineffectively ‘use words, not fists’ and scoop up whatever child is crying for cuddles and a nap, while trying to convince yourself out of wringing Miss Difficult Child’s pretty little neck.

However reflecting meant that I had to look at *my* teaching style in terms of her. I had to look at *why* she might be acting the way she is, and what part of *my* behaviour is causing her behaviour. I had to apply actual learning theories to her behaviour, and mine, and some more into processes to remove that behaviour on both parts. And I had to do within the confines of the centres rules and regulations. All fine, theory I have no problem with. Its the actually *doing* part that I’m a little concerned with, as its not a nice little library I’m working it, its with a living, breathing growing *child*.

. . .

I feel totally unprepared. A month and a half of theory IS NOT adequate training for going up against a small army of over two’s.

For serious.

A friend and I went down to the pier today, just to hang out. As usual he brought his camera and as the only subject there were alot of shots like these two . . .