On the first Thursday in May 2023, students from SAHL spent the morning with children in the Grade 2 classes. The visitors came well prepared with stories, as well as with puppets that they had made. At the outset the children were assisted in making their own hand puppets, so that they could participate as an active audience.
Stories were performed in three languages: Arabic, English and German. Even when they later heard the stories retold in a strange language, the children were no less fascinated. The rhythm of the language, the sound of the words, and the gestures of puppet and puppeteer, all provided new dimensions.
What is it that is so special and so magnificent about small children as an audience? They believe in our capacity to deliver magic, and in so doing, transfer to us just such an ability. From the moment we began to prepare a story for them, the anticipated audience started to become active in our imagination, as co-creators. On the day of the performance, shining eyes and rapt attention to each word, gesture or image, gave us confidence. Afterwards, this retrospective audience of small people encourages us to believe the message in our story.
‘Service Learning’ consists of two elements: a) ‘community service’, and b) ‘learning-by-teaching’. These pedagogical concepts have a vital part to play in higher education. A student project with children is a memorable learning event for the children. It is at the same time a valuable contribution to the university student’s own educational development. Learning a foreign language at university can be tedious, and therefore opportunity to use newfound skills before such an appreciative audience is inspiring.