We are visiting Kibeo Unity in Hansweert. One of the more than 150 BSOs that are participating in the Children are the Boss week of Kibeo this week. A week that we organize annually in the context of International Day of the Rights of the Child. Branch manager Milou de Bruin explains: “Freedom to choose for themselves and to shape their own ideas is so important for young children. At our branch we always take their wishes and ideas seriously, but literally handing over the lead, that is very special and unforgettable for children. They still talk about last year's week!”
The children of BSO Eendracht have thought and discussed well in advance about what they want to do this week. Three really fun activities are planned for this afternoon. “We start with a high tea and then you can choose between a beauty afternoon or gaming,” Tess (8 years old) tells us enthusiastically. We see the tiered stands with tasty snacks, prepared by parents, already ready. Fruit skewers, wraps with chicken fillet, strawberry cheesecakes… It looks delicious! The children are sitting around the low table on the floor. In between snacks, stories are shared about the weekend and guessing who brought which snack. How cozy!
Een half uur later maken de kinderen een keuze: neem ik plaats in de beautysalon of sluit ik me aan bij de game-marathon? De kinderen die lekker willen tutten, zitten in een vrolijk ingerichte hoek met spiegels, nagellakjes en schijfjes komkommer voor op de ogen. De meiden helpen elkaar met gezichtsmaskers en hebben veel lol. “Kijk, ik heb regenboognagels”, zegt Lotte (7 jaar) terwijl ze trots haar handen toont. Aan de andere kant van de ruimte heeft zich een fanatieke groep gamers verzameld. Controllers in de hand, geconcentreerde blikken op het scherm en kinderen die elkaar enthousiast aanmoedigen. Ook de pedagogisch professionals mogen een poging wagen op de Nintendo Switch. “En dat vind ik dus zo mooi”, zegt Milou als ze ernaar kijkt. “Af en toe de rollen omdraaien betekent niet alleen heel veel plezier voor de kinderen, maar brengt medewerkers ook een stukje dichter bij hun leefwereld.”
“Super fun!”, “Too bad we can’t do this every week” and “When we started gaming I was really happy”, are the reactions of the children when we ask them what they thought of it. Milou adds: “Being the boss for a while not only makes them happy, but also more independent and self-confident. They get the chance to make their own choices, form an opinion, show their creativity and take responsibility.” What is it actually like for Milou herself? Doing what the children want for a week? “After this week we are completely exhausted, but with a big smile on our faces. Yes, it requires a bit more, but we get so much energy from it that we are more than happy to do it. We are also raring to go for this week.”
The rest of the week is still partying at Kibeo in Hansweert. What else is on the agenda? “A lot!”, laughs Milou. “Wednesday is movie afternoon and Thursday we have a neon party with blacklight lighting. Oh, and we are also going to make slime, do face painting and neon painting!” As icing on the cake, the children have this year wrote a song and rehearsed a dance. Kortom, de Kinderen zijn de Baas week belooft hier in Hansweert opnieuw een onvergetelijke week te worden. Hopelijk is het op alle andere BSO’s net zo’n groot succes. Hartelijk dank aan alle pedagogisch professionals en ouders die dit mede mogelijk maken!
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