Week 10
Cultural | Professional
In our new week, we had exciting activities to look forward to throughout the week. On Monday and Tuesday we had classes as normal. However, on Wednesday we had an exciting day ahead. We met with our tutor Maria at 9 am at the beautiful botanical gardens to get started with our physical day ahead. Our first activity consisted of us being split into two groups to try some light yoga and team building activities. The yoga certainly woke us all up and it was a good way of getting motivated for the day. Maria talked about how we can do small activities like yoga with children if they are feeling tired or need to be motivated. Also, she explained how children can lose interest very easily if they are sitting in a classroom all day, so she explained yoga was a great way to give the children a ‘boost’ if needed. I found this exercise particularly useful and I feel I can take it home with me and practice it when working with small children.
After we finished the activities, we had the opportunity to look around the botanical gardens, for free, which was surprising as Denmark is usually quite expensive. The gardens were spectacular to see and I couldn't believe the work that is carried out to keep the place so beautiful. They have so many different trees, flowers and plants from all over the world. Within the gardens, there was also a tree house and a pond with huge lily pads and fish. It was truly amazing to look at, considering it was all inside a greenhouse. I felt like I was outside in a rain forest.
In the afternoon, we met up in a big hall with Maria and participated in more intense yoga. Maria carried out a sequence she would use with children for example doing yoga following a story.
We had another exciting day on Thursday where we went to Aarhus Spring Centre, an activity centre for children and adults. We were lucky and got to experience both parts of the centre. We tried the equipment that the children use when they go there and also watched the children at the beginning to see how they played. The hall had trampolines, soft areas, sponge pools, climbing areas, high areas to jump off and so on. It was so interesting to watch the children playing and we noticed how they got involved in everything and most seemed to play without any fear. For example, we tried to jump of the highest ledge which the children were jumping off, Jessica and I couldn't. We were too scared!
In comparison to home, there are similar centres for children however the spring centre is the most interesting place I have been to. It challenges children in all different kinds of ways, physically and mentally. It encourages them to use their fine and gross motor skills. It also encourages social interaction. Toddlers who have only recently started to walk were also running around and trying to jump on the trampolines. It was a great experience to be a part of and I have gained a lot more knowledge about the importance of physical activity for children and adults.
Our weekend consisted of a party on Friday in Ana’s apartment with her flat mates, which was another good way of getting to know even more people. On Saturday, Anna and I had a busy day as we made dinner for 7 people in the evening. We wanted to make something from home, so of course we made Irish stew, and we also made salads and provided cheese and bread. It was difficult in the beginning as being students in a different country we didn't have a lot of resources, but we got there and it was a success. Everyone said they enjoyed it and that Anna and I will make good wives some day!
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