Seeing what makes them Shine

What are you particularly proud of? What makes you shine inside?
I ask this of people all the time, of children, of teachers; of professionals, of parents. So, when I decided to begin my blog with this question, I began to reflect. Over the last few weeks, what am I particularly proud of… what made me shine inside?

It has been an interesting process - as the thinking does not come quickly, these questions required me to dive deeper - not into ‘What had I done well’ or what other people expect to hear, but what really matters most to me, what makes me gently glow with pride when I reflect?

So I shall share…
I was sitting at a table in a restaurant waiting for my colleague to join me for our breakfast meeting. I couldn’t help but be drawn to the conversation a young woman on a neighbouring table was having with her son. He was very little and the conversation was so lovely, she was talking with him about the waiter, about the breakfast, about how they would say thank you once they brought them their eggs. They were talking about the everyday happenings of eating out together- sharing this world with her son.

I remember…
There was a pause in their conversation. ‘Excuse me’ she said, ‘I think I recognise you… Are you Ali McClure? Did you used to come to Silvermore School?’

‘I did, I used to support students there’ I replied.

‘I remember’ she said, ‘You used that reflection, that talking tool based on your hand- I still remember it, I still use it’

And the conversation went on. I too remembered. I remembered the student and sharing my FingerTips five- finger thinking to help her reflect on her lesson, to reflect on her own progress. I remember her gaining in confidence as she began to use it with her children and the difference it made.

The power of FingerTips
I remember sharing it briefly with her mentor- but this is the power of FingerTips - it helps people to take time to reflect in ways that are meaningful, to think a little deeper, but, being based on the five fingers of your hand, it is also simple enough to use ‘in the moment’- and it is so simple that it sticks.

I have always believed this and see it in my practice every week in my lovely little school- I know it is powerful as part of the International Child Impact Initiative but hearing that the ripples have lasted, the impact over three years from one brief interaction is simply incredible.

Talking Together Tuesdays
This moment made me shine inside, and wherever I can I want to use FingerTips to help others to shine.

This is why I began my Talking Together Tuesdays conversation and podcast. For more than a year now, esteemed friends and colleagues have been joining me. We meet at 8pm on a Tuesday and have a conversation, based around FingerTips designed to empower parents in simple accessible ways of Talking Together, Learning Together and Growing Together with their children.

Empowering Parents
Time to listen, time to talk with our children - and the tools to make this happen do not come easily in our busy lives. These conversations and podcasts empower parents with simple techniques they can put in place tomorrow, but that are sustainable, so that they grow with their children, and so that the children can begin to use them too.

I am so looking forward to my conversation this month with the wise and wonderful Neil Leitch OBE about something he has always done for those he works with – including me! Whether it is adults or children, Neil can always see what makes them shine. Thank you Neil - from me and from many millions of children and families,

So, put up your thumb, hold it close to your heart - what has made you shine today, this week or this month- in your work, in your family or in your community? What are you particularly proud of?

Ali's 'Talking Together Tuesday' with Neil Leitch 'Seeing what makes them Shine'
is now available as a Podcast

You can listen via your favourite podcast streaming service or via the link below,
that also provides you with more details about Neil and Ali's conversation with him.