Democracy: it throws up all kinds of questions. While the health of our democracy is fundamental to our individual liberty and the way we live our lives, it can be hard to know how to explain it conceptually. But if we are to empower young people to become confident, to own their own voice and affect or manage change in their lives – however big or small – they need to build the skills, values and knowledge to access how society and our democratic system work. The change, whatever and whenever that may be, is the political part.
So how can we inspire children to develop this foundation and engage with democratic ideas? The approach I devised as part of my PhD research is a play-arts amalgam that is designed to kick-start conversations with children over the age of nine. This harnesses the power of the arts to encourage children to foster empathy, conceive alterative realities, and resolve conflict within an imaginary sphere. Furthermore, it anchors these complex topics in the safety and familiarity of the rules and conventions of childhood play.
Den of Enquiry is a poetry-based podcast and live theatre show that uses spoken word to explore one big question: is democracy more than just about voting? Each episode lasts for about 15 minutes and addresses different aspects of democracy, starting with: why do we need a government (Bunfight)? Further episodes consider the differences between a democracy and a dictatorship (If you have a voice you have a choice), what individual liberty is if we have to go to school (Lockdown Liberty) and why we need a system to make decisions (Circles).
I Spy Democracy Pie
The poem, I Spy Democracy Pie, explores democratic values by using baking as an analogy. Before recording the podcast, my co-hosts (two of my children) Carrot, Sir Nincompoop and I anchored the poem within a normal childhood activity by making a Swiss Roll together. For this, we had to find a recipe, buy and measure the ingredients, follow instructions and, crucially, take turns. Therefore, we used several tangible skills before the actual baking or recording could commence.
I spy with my little eye
Something beginning with…R
Gnawing, aching, salivating
Sight of what we could be making;
I spy…a recipe.
I spy with my little eye
Something beginning with…E
Reading, writing, contemplating
What, how, why, when for creating;
I spy…education.
I spy with my little eye
Something beginning with…S
Sourcing, weighing, implementingPractice and experimenting;
I spy…skills.
I spy with my little eye
Something beginning with…I
Stirring, helping, alternating
Take turns with participating;
I spy… inclusion.
I spy with my little eye
Something beginning with…D
Accessing decision-making
What goes in comes out when baking;
I spy…democracy pie.
Once the basics are in place, there is an opportunity to start thinking about the ideal recipe. Carrot's preference will inevitably be for extra sugar, perhaps chocolate chips, whereas Sir Nincompoop might suggest raspberries. The most important line in the poem is ‘What goes in comes out when baking’: the connection here is that democracies, like recipes, are not simply shop-bought.
Applying the principles
Once the theme had been anchored, the same principles can be applied to kick-start a conversation about the ingredients – the democratic values – that sustain a democracy. What matters, both to us as individuals but also for us to live together as a society? Options here might be anything from equality or fairness to dogs for all and better playgrounds. At this stage, the objective is to create a space to think, debate and explore these questions rather than tick off a correct answer.
How to bring Den of Enquiry into your classrooms
All Den of Enquiry poems have a performative aspect. To transfer this poem to a classroom, here are some tips:
- Play charades to anchor the poem using food related themes; try eating jelly or washing up as examples. Use facial expressions and gestures to add an emotional dimension; this could be eating a detested food, hastily trying to find something in the back of a cupboard or stacking the dishwasher furiously.
- Task groups to create an imaginary democracy pie. What ingredients will they use, and why? What is it called? Alternatively, this could be set as topic homework.
- Play out the poem as an I Spy game (note: the rhythm is key). Use charades to give clues.
Free lesson plans for Key Stage 2 to accompany the Den of Enquiry are available at www.democracyclassroom.com – search for ‘Rollicking Politics’ on the Resources page. The Den of Enquiry podcast available at all major podcasting platforms: anchor.fm/miranda-duffy