Little Ones

I have been introducing my first and second grade students to T’ai Chi Chih in the classroom for about eight years in Cornelius, Oregon. My mother, Shirley Hall, who volunteers in my classroom, introduces them to the movements during our Chinese New Year celebration. I continue with the practice throughout the year. My little students are always eager to learn.

This year, for the first time, I had a small group with me for a 30-minute period while my other students went to different classes each day. These students were eager to learn all of the TCC movements and were committed to doing so. Even when I was absent, they would play the music and show the substitute teacher what to do. I could see students enjoying moving outside of their physical education classes and recess. I let the children model my movements without scolding or forcing them in any way. Leaders emerged and others followed. I could see a calm come over them the more they learned the movements.