This week I dropped in to observe Victoria working with a small group of Gifted and Talented students who were starting to prepare for The Tournament of Minds competition. They were breaking down a past challenge and discussing how best to approach it. It was interesting to listen to students talking about different aspects of the challenge. An area that stood out to me was the 'Spirit of the Tournament.' This, and the students ability to problem solve within the confines of a planned script and a dramatic performance which stuck to the brief and time limits.
To best achieve these goals mindfulness and clear, kind communication will be really important to these students. As will sharing not only skills and strengths but also areas of weakness or things that unsettle them with the team. It would be important for team mates to know about areas of 'excitability' and 'sensitivities' which may derail the team as students struggle to cope with unexpected changes, too much loud stimuli etc. Mindfulness is not just about your own wellbeing, but also others you work with. In this way the team can support each other when they know something may be a trigger to 'stress out' one of their team mates. It will also mean that they can plan ahead of time possibly using visualisation techniques to 'see' a positive out come to possible problems.
Although the Peas in a Pod focus was a challenge title I think it lends nicely to an analogy of these students working together. They are all individuals with strengths and commonalities like 'peas in a pod" If they stay together in the pod they will be a cohesive and united group. If they don't, the pod disintegrates and you are left with individuals without a common purpose or goal. The 'Spirit of the Tournament' becomes lost and they will not be successful.
Finding your tribe in an academic setting is a wonderful thing. I can't wait to see where this learning journey takes them.
Nga Mihi,
Bex
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