It’s just another day in the life of a third child with much older siblings that my little bub is constantly tagging along on activities that he can’t quite join in yet.
But not today!
I’ve been on the lookout for activities for Nate to really participate in and was chuffed to be invited to attend Act 3 Drama Academy’s March Holiday Workshop for the littles between 7 months and 17 months old: A Web of Shapes. The theme for these two weeks of workshops is A Pig, A Spider and A Web, and as you might have guessed, draw inspiration from the classic tale of Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White. One of my favourite books from childhood! I simply couldn’t say no!
I am no stranger to Act 3 International and their drama workshops, having participated in a few myself in the days of my youth, and more recently together with my kids. So I knew we would be in good hands. One of the biggest worries I have when bringing Nate to watch a show or participate in an activity is whether I would have to keep him quiet or be able to whisk him away somewhere when he starts screaming. But when I stepped into the venue at Act 3 Drama Academy that morning and saw space and the inviting mats on the floor, I knew it wasn’t going to be one of those types of events where I would have to worry about him behaving.
And indeed it wasn’t. Sitting comfortably with Nate on my lap on our cushion on the floor, we were invited to sing and play along with Fawn, as she introduced us to her motley crew of spider friends. We “grew” the web on the ground by tying on strips of fabric, and later “found” items in the web. I think this was Nate’s favourite bit because there were so many things available interact with and explore!
We then went on to meet Charlotte and the rest of Fawn’s spider friends, and I loved how they were each creatively made from recycled materials.
Of course, the real test is whether Nate enjoyed it, and I was really glad to see him really engaged. He sat looking wide-eyed through the beginning, but once he got to touch the materials and move around, he decided he was all in! He was actively reaching out for things and cooing and babbling throughout. I was a bit afraid that he would wreck the props (especially the spiders!) but fortunately that didn’t happen. It helped that he had plenty to hold, and yes, to try to nom when I wasn’t looking!
The 45 minutes passed by quickly and I knew he was really comfortable when I caught him wandering off to explore the set on his own! I think as much as he enjoyed himself, I enjoyed the opportunity for some one-on-one time with my littlest doing something that was just for him.
A Web Of Shapes and the March Holiday Workshops might be over but do keep your eye on the Act 3 International website for more such exciting workshops coming up in over the course of the year! Another exciting thing coming up for babies and children 5 years and under is the Act 3i Festival for Children which will be held from 22 May to 3 June 2018. With lots of exciting performances by international acts for the little ones and another workshop for 7 to 17 month olds, it really is a festival not to be missed. I know Nate and I will be surely be checking it out!
* Thank you Act 3 International for the workshop invite!
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