Magical Gnomes
You are on your way to the Adventure Studio at Acton. With each step into the basement underworld the sun dims and the sound grows more quiet. You meet the base of the steps, you enter a sea of black, and as your eyes begin to adjust you suddenly notice a small flickering light. This light is a path. You follow the path and stop at what appears to be a make-shift door. You hear quiet voices and wonder, is there anyone inside? You politely say “Hello, is anyone here?” Suddenly, a friendly head pops out of the home and says “Hi, welcome to our gnome home, would you like to come in?” With great wonder you enter. What seemed impossibly small is in fact a spacious gnome mansion full of twinkling lights, cozy blankets, an abundance of furniture, and a group of joyful gnomes working on projects. This is their happy home and they are joyfully ready to give you a tour!
If this adventure into the basement underworld seemed magical, you would delight to know that this adventure is the world of our new middle school studio, the Adventure Studio. Gnomes wasn’t the plan but gnomes became the magic everyone needed. Here’s how the magic unfolded.
All started last week with the need of one learner. He shared “it’s hard for me to focus, I feel like I need my own space.” With this comment, we looked around for materials and decided to build a space just for him. He created a small corner with gymnastics mats that felt like his own personal cave. After feeling the success of focused energy his excitement leaked to another learner who said “I want a home too!” So one personal cave became a duplex of two. When two learners live side by side their creativity gets interesting. One learner thought out loud, “Wow, I bet a little gnome would live in there.” This is where the gnome imagination began. Another day later while half the studio was absent the crashing duplex then resulted in a shared apartment for two gnomes. This sharing of space added magic of twinkle lights, a couch, and a cozy blanket. Guides were invited to the declared “gnome home” they created.
What happens when two learners become 4 again? Construction! Resources became more scarce and learner gnomes now had dueling houses. Who gets the twinkle? Who gets the couch? Who gets the specialty pillow and poof? The dueling gnome homes were a drama full of fantasy and great debate. Give the conflict some time, throw in a team building game, and a magical lip dub and what results? A combined mansion with multi-level living, wellness lamp, and most importantly a shared magical living space enough for everyone.
This magic may seem frivolous however it is anything but; magic is the gateway to practicing communication, exploring problem solving skills, to finding joy in work, to feeling safe, and to building friendship. Today learners decided they are absolutely in line with gnomes. They are the wondrous keepers of the Earth, protecting nature, and they are wise symbols of good luck for our future.
Magical gnomes started with one need, one moment of listening. How will you listen to your child? How will you revel in the joy of their childhood and your parenthood? How will you encourage the magic?