Fun Workshops Send Pupils Serious Message
By Kris Brunst
Staff Writer

Students are not only the audience, but also participants in sessions conducted district wide by Dr. Elana Ashley, Executive Director of Great Imaginings, an organization which provides educational workshops for children and adults.

Ashley uses audio-visual aids, including colorful signs, puppets, poems, songs and games to keep the childrens' attention and get her point across.

Skills promoted

Ashley's programs are slightly different for each grade level, but they all are designed to promote skills children need to express who they are - their goals and methods of achieving them.

During a recent program for 4- and 5-year-olds, Ashley addressed the issue of child abuse in a subtle manner. She began by leading the children through motions to act out a poem titled, "My Body is Mine." She then read a story titled, "It's My Body."

Ashley let the children know that it is all right to say "No. Don't touch me. I don't like it," or 'No. I won't touch you. I don't like it."

"If you feel uncomfortable, don't share your body," she told the children.

"Sometime people don't realize that the way they touch a child makes them feel uncomfortable," Ashley explained after the session.

"Whether it be a tickle, a hug or something less appropriate, children need to know that it's okay to tell the person to stop," she said. "Kids have the right to protect themselves and it's all right for them to say so," Ashley said.

She encourages children to talk about their feelings with others like teachers, parents, brothers and sisters and doctors.

Ashley has been presenting programs on drug education, child abuse and self-esteem for children and adults in a variety of venues for the last 11 years.

She was hired by School District 88 this year under the Illinois State Board of Education Drug Free Schools and Community Act.

"There is a drastic need nowadays for students to say 'no' to drugs and them to be aware of what the use of alcohol and drugs leads to - violence and low self-esteem," said Vinston Birdin, director of public relations and grants for the district.

Birdin said his initial contact with Ashley was last summer when she was conducting a program on conflict resolution during teacher orientation. He said he was intrigued by Ashley's use of puppets for the childrens' presentations. "She presents an entertaining program and just slips her message right in there," he said. "Whether or not Ashley returns to the district next year depends on the availability of funds and evaluations by teachers," Birdin said.

Ashley's presentations also left a positive impression on Grant Elementary School Principal Joe Pater. "We weren't afraid to be different when I was growing up," he said.

"But, today, kids tend to go with the crowd. They can't see into the future. The self-esteem sessions stressed the beneficial results of a healthy body, a positive attitude and a sense of emotional well-being," Pater continued.

"The students also engaged in role-playing activities directed toward making healthy choices to enable them to enjoy getting along with others and being able to be proud and happy to be the best that they are capable of being."