It's not always easy!

[smallhobbit]

We've been holding Brownie zoom meetings for a while and although it's definitely better than nothing there are times when we long to be back altogether again.

Last week we did some work around coins and finding the right coins to pay for something and to give change.  Some of them struggled, and it was really sad to hear one say 'I can't do maths' and hear the defeat in an 8 year old's voice.  We did the best we could, but providing the right sort of support via a computer screen just isn't easy.  However, as we told them all, the fact that they tried meant they had taken another step in earning their badge.

The end result was that since three of the Brownies had completed an interest badge for the theme we were doing, 'Skills for My Future', as well as all the other relevant activities, they were awarded their theme badges.



In addition, one of the Brownies (our maths struggling 8 year old), having completed two theme badges, was awarded her Bronze award at the beginning of yesterday's meeting.  She was delighted.



This week we were making a vortex using the end of a plastic bottle and a balloon.  Which wasn't a great success.  Several of the Brownies had to get help from their parents, who, on the whole are happy to help, but it's not ideal, especially when there are younger siblings around who also need attention.

After which they made mini windmills using straws, basically straightforward, but with one trickier bit and describing that over zoom wasn't very easy for Doodles.

Moost of the items needed are delivered, (apart from plastic bottles, which generally were retrieved from the recycling when Doodles sent a reminder), and for those living slightly further away they're posted.  Which meant one Brownie only received her envelope today - two days after everyone else received theirs.  At least she now has the parts she needs for next week.

Comments

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

It's great that you're persevering!

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. It's still better than nothing, but trying to follow the programme definitely has its frustrations.

[cuddyclothes]

I have only respect for what you're doing!

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much. It's encouraging to read that particularly we feel like it's hard going.

[margaret_r]

My daughter went through zoom sessions with her eldest for scouts and it isn't easy at all. I think the novelty probably wears off after a while too. But you're doing so well and the girls obviously get a lot out of their sessions so it's worth it in the end:)

[smallhobbit]

They all remain enthusiastic and most of them are there every week, so I suspect we're the ones who are struggling. Even this week, which didn't really work they all seemed happy with, probably because they're not bothered as much about achieving something but having fun doing something different.

[rusty_armour]

I'm sorry that there are some challenges with holding Brownie meetings on Zoom. I'm sure it must be hard to carry out some activities on Zoom, especially ones where the girls need extra help. I can definitely sympathize with the Brownie who struggled with maths, and I'm happy that she earned her Bronze award.

[smallhobbit]

Sometimes it's really difficult, the leader holds up the activity and points to what to do next, then the Brownie holds up when they've done and we're trying to explain what they need to do, and when it would be so easy in the same room to just point and say 'make your hole there' it becomes much more complicated.

We're always happy to award badges for the Brownies who try, even if they don't get it quite right.

[moth2fic]

Some interesting tasks! I'm fascinated by the coin thing - grandson is about to open a teenage bank account with a contactless payment card. As he says, it's safer than carrying coins and even the ice cream van accepts contactless payment. I wonder how much effect the move to a cashless society will have on maths skills!

[smallhobbit]

Yes - this past year has certainly seen a drop in cash payments.

We've been working on Skills for my future, which includes the idea of using money - knowing how much something is worth will remain and the idea that you can only buy a certain number of things with a limited budget - all of which becomes harder when you can't see the 'hard cash'.

[debriswoman]

Full marks for all you are doing, despite the difficulties:-)

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much.