Hold a pebble and Let it Go

Saturday, 16th November 2024

Registration: 2.45 pm; Activity: 3.00 pm – 5.30 pm

Mistra Bay

For children aged 8 to 10 years and their families

Animated reading, Creative writing, Reflective hands-on activity

Maltese and English

Malti
English

L-Aġenzija Nazzjonali tal-Litteriżmu bi sħab ma’ Spiritual Development in Schools, organizzat d-disa’ sessjoni tal-programm ġdid ta’ qari animat, kitba u riflessjoni kreattiva bl-isem ‘Bil-Qari u l-Kitba nsib Spazju għal Qalbi’ għal tfal ta’ bejn 8 u 10 snin u l-familja/kustodji tagħhom.

Dawn is-sessjonijiet ta’ qari animat bil-Malti u bl-Ingliż mill-ktieb ‘Spazju għal Qalbi – Beloved Space’ tal-awtriċi Silvana Cardona, qed isiru f’diversi lokalitajiet ta’ Malta u Għawdex. Is-sessjonijiet iservu ta’ opportunità biex it-tfal jitħarrġu fil-qari, il-kitba kreattiva u attivitajiet immaġinattivi u riflessivi ta’ talb. Waqt kull sessjoni, it-tfal ser jingħataw riżorsi bil-Malti u l-Ingliż biex jesprimu ruħhom.

Hija meravilja li tesperjenza qari ta’ storja fil-post fejn ġrat. Il-qari animat tal-istorja ‘Żomm Ċagħka f’Idejk u Itlaqha’ ġiet organizzata nhar is-Sibt 16 ta’ Novembru 2024 fil-Bajja tal-Mistra, il-Mellieħa, fejn tat il-ħajja lil kull kelma u azzjoni, u nħolqot esperjenza fejn kulħadd jibqa’ jiftakarha.

Kien hemm grupp sabiħ ta’ tfal mal-familji tagħhom, u grupp ta’ abbatini mill-Parroċċa tal-Mellieħa, li ngħaqdu magħna għal sessjonijiet bil-Malti u bl-Ingliż. Flimkien, ħadu sehem f’rakkont ta’ storja, reċta, u spazju ta’ talb riflessiv, imdawrin bil-ġmiel naturali tal-bajja. Il-familji għożżew dan il-ħin speċjali ta’ kitba kreattiva u li telqu ċ-ċagħak fil-baħar, att simboliku li jitilqu il-piżijiet tagħhom u jaħfru lil min weġġgħuhom.

X’Qalu t-Tfal

L-attività taċ-ċagħak ħalliet impatt qawwi fuq it-tfal:

“Ħassejt bħallikieku l-maħfra tiegħi ntelqet maċ-ċagħka fil-baħar.
“Meta tlaqt iċ-ċagħka fil-baħar, ħassejt qalbi teħfief.”
“Ħfirt lil sieħbi talli weġġagħni – ħassejtni ħieles”
“Kont qed inżomm xi ħaġa ta’ dwejjaq fija u issa ħriġtha kollha.”
“Ħassejtni ħielsa u tajba, x’ħin tfajt iċ-ċagħqa.”
“Il-ħsieb li naħfer lil xi ħadd għamilni kuntent.”

Riflessjonijiet mill-Ġenituri u l-Kustodji

Din l-esperjenza misset ukoll il-ġewwieni tal-ġenituri u l-kustodji:

“L-attività tal-ġebel għenitni naħseb dwar il-maħfra f’ħajti wkoll – il-maħfra hija xi ħaġa li lkoll għandna bżonn.”
“Kien sabiħ nara lil ibni jirrifletti u jaqsam is-sentimenti tiegħu matul l-ispazju ta’ talb.”
“L-ispazju ta’ talb kien opportunità biex nieqaf u nirrifletti ma’ ibni – ħassejtni mbierka f’dak il-mument.”

Kitba Kreattiva: Jesprimu l-Maħfra

L-attività tal-kitba kreattiva tat lit-tfal l-opportunità li jiktbu storja qasira dwar il-maħfra. Verament kitbuha mill-qalb u min xtaq qasamha wkoll mal-oħrajn.

Din l-attività sabiħa ta’ rakkonti, riflessjoni, u kreattività fil-Bajja tal-Mistra, tfakkarna fil-qawwa tal-istejjer biex jispiraw konnessjoni, fejqan, u tkabbir.

The National Literacy Agency, in collaboration with Spiritual Development in Schools, organised the ninth session of animated reading, creative writing and reflection in the programme entitled ‘With Reading and Writing I find a Beloved Space’ for children 8–10 years old and their families/guardians.

These sessions of animated reading in Maltese and English from the book Spazju għal Qalbi—Beloved Space’ by author Silvana Cardona are taking place in various open spaces in Malta and Gozo. They are an excellent opportunity for children to practise reading and creative writing through imaginative and reflective activities that help them pray. Throughout these sessions, the children will be provided with resources in Maltese and English to help them express themselves.

There’s something magical about experiencing a story in the place where its essence comes alive. Reading and acting out the story ‘Hold a Pebble and Let it Go‘ at the serene Mistra Bay, Mellieħa on Saturday, 16th November 2024, brought a unique touch to every word and action, creating an unforgettable experience for all.

A wonderful gathering of children, families, and a group of Altar boys joined us for engaging Maltese and English sessions. Together, they immersed themselves in storytelling, mime, and a reflective prayer space surrounded by the beauty of the bay. Families cherished this special time, writing creatively and releasing pebbles into the sea—a symbolic act of letting go of their burdens and forgiving those who had hurt them.

What the Children Said

The pebble activity deeply resonated with the children:

“I felt like my forgiveness floated away with the pebble.”
“When I let it go, it was like my heart felt lighter.”
“I forgave my friend for hurting my feelings—it felt good to let it out.”
“I was holding onto something sad, but now it feels like it’s gone.”
“I feel free, like the pebble took my worries with it.”
“It made me happy to think about forgiving someone.”

Reflections from Family members

The parents and carers were equally moved by the experience:

“The pebble activity helped me think about forgiveness in my own life too—it’s something we all need.”
“It was beautiful to watch my child reflect and share their feelings during the prayer space.”
“The prayer space was a chance for me to pause and reflect alongside my child—it felt like a blessing.”

Creative Writing: Expressing Forgiveness

The creative writing activity gave both children and families the chance to express their feelings about forgiveness through heartfelt words and stories.

This beautiful blend of storytelling, reflection, and creativity at Mistra Bay reminds us of the power of narratives to inspire connection, healing, and growth.