Magic Circles
Self-Esteem for Everyone in Circle Time
- Murray White - UK Representative , Interntional Council for Self-Esteem
'This is an excellent book full of practical circle time activities and experiences....The benefits of the potential life skills acquired through the use of this resource are immeasurable because it will help communication and problem solving skills, show participants how to be flexible, to get along with others, deal with conflict, take sensible measured risks and make wise decisions' - Early Years Educator
'Working as a supportive reference, resource manual and catalyst, the text affirms the partnership between school, family and community…[It] will boost the effectiveness of Circle Time - as a respected program in social / emotional learning, and tool for empowering youth' - Bendigo Weekly
'The beauty of this book lies in the simplicity of the activities. Anyone can follow the instructions and get amazing results. Individuals who have developed walls around themselves as a defence to cover up their low self esteem also react with wonder and bewilderment during these activities. A good self affirming experience during Circle Time goes a long way in helping us manage the darkest moments of our lives. Even the most reticent people open up during Circle Time' - Aroona Sharma, Ex-Head PSHE The British School, New Delhi, Counsellor, Psychotherapist
Murray White was the first British author to publish a book on Circle Time and his classic Magic Circles helped to raise the profile and popularity of Circle Time during the 90s. This new and revised edition provides both the theoretical underpinnings and practical advice you need to help raise self-esteem through Circle Time. The resource also includes a 60 minute audio CD to introduce guided imagery to help build self-esteem. It takes the listener through a number of journeys, helping to develop imagination, improve concentration and increase self - confidence.
The book provides a range of exciting activities to use in Circle Time to develop a sense of:
· security
· identity
· belonging
· purpose
· competence
· well-being
The benefits of participation in this process both for individuals and society are clearly explained. The ability to communicate well, take sensible risks, make wise decisions, be flexible, deal with conflict and stress, solve problems and get along with others are all enhanced by this experience. To take account of the popularity of the first edition among adults, circle activities are now included especially for their use. Everyone will benefit from the Circle Times in this book.
Murray White represents the U.K. on the International Council for Self Esteem and emerges as the earliest and most significant influence on the establishment of Circle Time in the UK.
'This is an 'upbeat' book. White is convinced that self-esteem impacts on people's behaviour and learning, and that it is something that can be developed. In his book he seeks to: define it; show how the reader can develop a healthy self-esteem; look at the wider use of Circle Time (for all ages and in all contexts); and, demonstrate how Circle Times can be run with structure and purpose. He includes outlines for Circle Time sessions, photocopiable material, and an audio CD with examples of guided imagery...This book is at its strongest when it is dealing with the practical side of setting up and running Circle Times. There is good advice about: being in a strong place yourself if you are leading a Circle Time as it involves modelling expected behaviour; and, it being a whole school approach, going beyond Circle Time and embracing the quality of the relationships across the whole community...As Circle Time is common in schools a copy of this book should be in each EP school service library. It has everything needed on a practical level to support a school in using Circle Time as a whole school approach enhancing self-esteem' -
Educational Psychology and Practice: Theory, Research and Practice in Educational Psychology
'This book is an essential starting point for practitioners who are new to Circle Time as it includes activities specifically for adults, helping to familiarise themselves with the process' - Early Years Update
'This is an excellent book full of practical circle time activities and experiences that will help build self-esteem....The benefits of the potential life skills acquired through the use of this resource are immeasurable...There are certificates and photocopiable resource pages among the clearly laid out, and easy to follow, activity pages ' - Early Years Educator
'In this book, Murray White, who was instrumental in introducing the concept of Circle Time in the 1990s, sets out very clearly the principlesand practice that underpin the use of Circle Time with children of all ages. It provides practitioners with clarity on the process of Circle Time...The book is an essential starting point for practitioners new to Circle Time as it includes activities specifically for adults, helping to familiarise themselves with the process' -
Teachingexpertise
'Now in its second, revised edition, Magic Circles...has been devised to enrich student self-esteem within programs of Circle Time. The new presentation maintains a student centred approach - embracing the child as a thinking and feeling individual, of imagination and spiritual depth. Working as a supportive reference, reource manual and catalyst, the text affirms the partnership between school, family and community. It highlights the role of Circle Time in establishing balance within the soul - together with a sense of belonging and purpose. Nurturing of the fragile mind, and encouraging to all others - Magic Circles...will boost the effectiveness of Circle Time - as a respected program in social / emotional learning /, and tool for empowering youth' -
Jacqueline Perryman
'Working as a supportive reference, resource manual and catalyst, the text affirms the partnership between school, family and community…[It] will boost the effectiveness of Circle Time - as a respected program in social / emotional learning, and tool for empowering youth' - Bendigo Weekly
'The beauty of this book lies in the simplicity of the activities. Anyone can follow the instructions and get amazing results. Individuals who have developed walls around themselves as a defence to cover up their low self esteem also react with wonder and bewilderment during these activities. A good self affirming experience during Circle Time goes a long way in helping us manage the darkest moments of our lives. Even the most reticent people open up during Circle Time' - Aroona Sharma, Ex-Head PSHE The British School, New Delhi, Counsellor, Psychotherapist
'Murray White's Magic Circles is a wonderful book that clearly demonstrates the importance of self-esteem in the life of every human being….The book is very readable and offers the layman many practical and easy-to-follow suggestions for implementing his theories. Therefore, as a retired educational and clinical psychologist of over 20 years, I highly endorse this book' - Dr.Robert Oberheide PhD, Canada, author of Unlocking the Subconscious: The Key to Self-Esteem
This is a practical guide to developing circle time activities in support of self-esteem. The book provides many useful ideas and would be widely used in the primary sector.
