Finding the Right Balance
A balanced lifestyle
by Claire Law
Suitable for Key Stage 2
Aims
To consider how we might find an increased balance in life.
Preparation and materials
- You will need the PowerPoint slides that accompany this assembly (Finding the Right Balance) and the means to display them.
Assembly
- Have Slide 1 showing as the children enter the assembly.
Ask the children whether they are good at balancing. If possible, let the children demonstrate. For example, they might stand on one leg or balance something on their head and so on. - Explain that you are going to show the children some pictures of people who have practised very hard at balancing.
- Show Slide 2.
This is Nik Wallenda, an American acrobat. He is extremely talented at balancing on a high rope. Here, we see him practising for one of his most impressive stunts: his tightrope walk across the Grand Canyon. - Show Slide 3.
This one is a little less dangerous, but the balancing involved is still pretty impressive. Here, we see Portuguese footballer Ronaldo balancing a ball on his head. - Show Slide 4.
Have any of you tried using a balance beam in gymnastics? Here, we see American gymnast Simone Biles competing in the women’s balance beam event at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. - Show Slide 5.
Here, we see someone practising the art of balancing on a wire. There is only a short distance between the wire and the ground, which provides a safer environment to develop balancing skills. - It can feel like we have a lot to balance in our daily lives too, because we are busy with so many things: schoolwork, sports clubs, caring for people at home and so on. Sometimes, it can get too much and we might feel like we will wobble and topple over.
If we feel like we’re not managing everything that we have to do, or we feel worried and stressed about things, it is important to ask someone to help. All of the people in these pictures will have needed help at some point.
Time for reflection
When life gets too busy and we feel anxious, it’s important to stop and take time to be still. Many religions encourage people to be still. In the Bible, there is a verse that says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God,’ (Psalm 46.10) and another that says, ‘In quietness and trust is your strength.’ (Isaiah 30.15) Both of these verses emphasize the importance of being still.
Show Slide 6.
In Buddhism, people are encouraged to meditate and be still.
Let’s pause for a moment and be quiet.
Let’s close our eyes and take some deep breaths in and out. Let’s listen to the noises around us and be still.
Pause to allow time for thought.
Later this week, if we are feeling worried or anxious, maybe we could pause, be still, take some deep breaths and relax for a few moments.
Remind the children that if things are getting on top of them and they are struggling to feel balanced, there are many people in school who can help them. (Give examples for your own school.)
Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you that there are people we can talk to if we feel worried or as if life is out of control.
Please help us to take the time to be quiet and still sometimes.
Help us to be at peace.
Please help us to help others who are struggling.
Please fill us with your peace.
Amen.
Song/music
‘The prayer of St Francis (Make me a channel of your peace)’, available at: https://youtu.be/ihhvm6eLWZI (2.51 minutes long)