All workshops can be given in Dutch, English or French. To receive the full document with all details and information about workshops, please contact: krabbenilse@gmail.com

Ilse’s biggest aspiration is to fully understand children’s experiences, needs and dreams in today’s ever-changing world. She seeks to help children and young people cultivate a sense of self-worth and belonging, and to understand their right to safety. Through regular conversations with children, schoolteachers and parents, Ilse aims to bring more awareness to children’s inner worlds. She strives to deepen our understanding of the ways that allow children to grow in a healthy and happier environment, which will also contribute to a healthier and happier society in the future. 

WORKSHOP FOR CHILDREN: HOW TO REFLECT AND COMMUNICATE

Ilse always starts by making sure she is fully present in order to truly connect, and listen. She knows how to create a safe and nurturing environment for children to feel comfortable and share what is on their minds. In Ilse’s workshops, everyone is equal, and nothing is wholly “good” or “bad”.  This means the conversations that take place are always as rich and surprising for the children as they are for Ilse herself. Alive, Ilse’s first book, explores the different questions and worries children may have growing up. Each workshop begins with a discussion on the themes in (and outside) the book, where children are encouraged to share what topics may feel most important to them. Ilse will then lead the group into exploring these themes further, through theatre, music and movement. By creating a nurturing, safe space, Ilse is able to keep the tone light and playful, regardless of how complicated the themes may be. The workshop ends with a final discussion, where everyone is given the space to reflect upon what they have learnt. The workshop aims to give children the tools to express themselves, learning how to feel and to recognise what might be going on internally. Through sharing and understanding their own experiences, children build their confidence,  and learning and play go hand in hand. 

WORKSHOP FOR SCHOOL TEACHERS: HOW TO REFLECT WITH CHILDREN AND THE IMPORTANCE OF EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT 

In this workshop, Ilse shares a series of short films she made with groups of children between 8 and 12 years old on the theme of emotions. After a discussion of the films, Ilse will share methods to communicate and engage with young people in a way that is beneficial to both children and adults. The sessions are interactive, where participants can explore different tools and exercises to better their communication skills, and enable a safe and encouraging environment for the children they teach. Ilse will share her experiences both as a teacher and as a student, and what she feels is needed within schools today. She will discuss the importance of emotional development, and how it can lead to happier students, and better academic results. It is crucial that adults devote time to their own emotional learning too. Children respond to actions, not words, and mimic the behaviour of those around them. It is essential that we adults learn how to respond and take care of our own emotions.
By working and living this way, and engaging with students with compassion, teachers will see positive results both in themselves, and in the students they teach. Educators will find a greater sense of meaning and purpose in their work, which is inspiring for students and teachers alike.

THEATRE WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN 

Ilse teaches theatre to children and young people for SEP (Foundation for Projects in Education) and for Jeugd Theater de Krakeling in Amsterdam. She uses movement, music, literature and the imagination and interests of the children present to teach or devise work together. Theatre can help children express themselves more freely. By doing so, they get to know themselves and the world better, but they also can find more confidence and playfulness.