Catch up in Bethells Beach Retreat

On Wednesday, Gus Simunovich organised a beautiful gathering at the Retreat in Henga – Betles Beach Rd. The room was full of parents with their kids – the majority of toddler’s age. All were excited and happy.

Gus and Siri Embla told us how their daughter Liv Nola is doing the best back massage for them – Together with her parents she was involved with our CMC course in Kawaipurapura last year. Live Nola is almost 17 months old now.  It was very nice to catch up again with a couple who are CMC instructors.

Greenhithe Kindergarten

 Our instructor Brenda Duncan brought CMC to Greenhithe Kindergarten in October " We had a great time learning how to teach children to massage children.

Our first session we had a few kids that weren't keen but they watched everybody else. By the next session we had all the kids involved.

The kids really enjoyed it and and also learn't new vocabulary eg reflexology, thymus and one child remembered  those words but didn't participate in the first session.

It was very successful".

Well done  Brenda !

Anna back to University

Our Intern from Sweden Anna is back at university . She gave a presentation about her practice in NZ. There was a lot of interest about our country. Lots of questions and lots of stories making NZ closer to Sweden as our social problems in certain areas are similar. We wish Anna success in her studies and a good use of skills end experiences she received in New Zealand

Children are less and less familiar with touch

It has been 15 years since CMC programme was born. Everything was made possible and went smoothly because I have my sports massage clinic at YMCA Mt Albert. Holiday programme created for us great circumstances to master and improve the idea of familiarising children with positive touch through massage. On 30^th of September, after few years long break I run a CMC session again at Mt Albert.

Sad conclusion came out of this experience. Children are less and less familiar with touch. The biggest problem kids had during this session? Simple head stroking. One of student even innocently asked “Is it legal” ?

We – massage professionals and teachers need to act fast and stop the process of alienation and loss of empathy in society.

„Closing presentation at Social Entrepreneur course"

 8 weeks course - completed! 10 graduates did their presentations today.  Mine was entitled  “the Value of Empathy – CMC delivered nationwide”. I was the first to present. Audience received it enthusiastically.  Children Massaging Children stands for  Hauora from the School Curriculum. It's user friendly and easy to replicate in different countries and languages. The audience has picked up on those points because they are strong exporting features of the CMC.  Next step will be to present CMC as TED talk early next year. 

At the WellFest event

20/21 September - WellFest  was a big and a vibrant event. 

We shared our stand with Dee Pigneguy - an expert at introducing  nutrition and gardening into schools.

 During the event I delivered two presentations and received excellent feedback. 

The time spent there was packed with making new contacts, networking with like-minded people and promoting the idea of peer massages in education system. Very fruitful event for Child Connection.

Sir Ken Robinson talk

I just listened to the talk by Sir Ken Robinson  it’s from 4 years ago. Unfortunately today it’s just as relevant, because not much has changed.

He makes the case for a radical shift from standardized schools to personalized learning - creating conditions where kids' natural talents can flourish. "Unfortunately we have built our education systems on the model of fast food."  
Sir Ken refers to Abraham Lincoln who in 1876 said that "The dogma of the quiet past, are inadequate to the stormy present" . He concludes that  “When evolution isn't working, revolution is needed “It’s a pleasure to listen to him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9LelXa3U_I