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smallhobbitThursday afternoons during term-time I leave work promptly at 4pm Every knows I have to leave, because Thursday evenings is Brownies.
We started back this week - a week after the schools go back, to give everyone time to get organised. At the end of last term we had 26 girls, this week we had 13, which felt slightly strange. We always lose a number at the end of the year, and with a three year age range it's only to be expected that there were 8 who were too old, some will go onto Guides, others will need more time to devote to their other, frequently sporting, activities. One, from a forces family, has moved. And a few more will probably be back next week. We're not particularly bothered, our numbers have dropped before and bounced back.
There are advantages in having a smaller number. Tonight we did some work on Stranger Danger and because there were less girls, not only did everyone have a chance to say things, but also the shyer ones didn't feel quite as nervous about speaking out - it's not always easy when you are a small 7 year old to talk in front of a very confident almost 10.
And then we had time for some games. Games are very popular and its nice to see the reluctant ones steadily gain in confidence and join in with the others. We played the "colour game" - in which I tell a story and the Brownie from each six representing whichever colour I mention has to run to the front and back. There's no score and no-one ever cares about it. Then it was "pink knickers" - the most shouted for game every week - and finally "fish" where each girl was either cod, haddock or pilchard. And where, as I said to Brown Owl, I said something I'd never ever expected to say "No, you're a pilchard".
Next week is Games Night and I'm in charge!
We started back this week - a week after the schools go back, to give everyone time to get organised. At the end of last term we had 26 girls, this week we had 13, which felt slightly strange. We always lose a number at the end of the year, and with a three year age range it's only to be expected that there were 8 who were too old, some will go onto Guides, others will need more time to devote to their other, frequently sporting, activities. One, from a forces family, has moved. And a few more will probably be back next week. We're not particularly bothered, our numbers have dropped before and bounced back.
There are advantages in having a smaller number. Tonight we did some work on Stranger Danger and because there were less girls, not only did everyone have a chance to say things, but also the shyer ones didn't feel quite as nervous about speaking out - it's not always easy when you are a small 7 year old to talk in front of a very confident almost 10.
And then we had time for some games. Games are very popular and its nice to see the reluctant ones steadily gain in confidence and join in with the others. We played the "colour game" - in which I tell a story and the Brownie from each six representing whichever colour I mention has to run to the front and back. There's no score and no-one ever cares about it. Then it was "pink knickers" - the most shouted for game every week - and finally "fish" where each girl was either cod, haddock or pilchard. And where, as I said to Brown Owl, I said something I'd never ever expected to say "No, you're a pilchard".
Next week is Games Night and I'm in charge!
