Talking to kids

[Reef Fish]

.

[PearlieMae]

Hi Cora and welcome! I'm going to let others advise you on talking to kids, and if you look in the pro mermaid thread, you might find some helpful info. Raina has a very helpful book, as well, and it's available for download, if you need it right away!

That's so cool that you work in an aquarium! Where?

[Genevieve]

Not a pro mer, so I'm not familiar with how your shows go. But I am a speech therapist who works with kids. When you're meeting new people (of all ages), they find you the most interesting when you get them to talk about themselves. Ask the kids questions. What do they think/feel/know about mermaids? That will give you some ideas for how to proceed. It's just an idea, but you'll definitely get some cute, funny, and thought-provoking responses.

If you get a cynical little person, tell them: "If I wasn't a mermaid, could I do this?" and do a trick, or just splash them with your tail. And don't let non-believers get to you. You know you're as real as can be. Plus, kids smell fear like sharks smell blood.

:shark:

They'll be thrilled with a mermaid who can go with the flow and have fun with them, even if she doesn't meet the most stringent standards of "realness". Welcome to the Network, by the by!

[Ondine]

In my experience, kids spend most of their time being told about things they don't know by grown-ups. When they meet a mermaid, what they really love is the chance for the boot to be on the other foot! They love hearing about life under the sea - but they also really enjoy telling you about life in the human world. Finally, it's their chance to be the ones with all the knowledge! If you run out of ideas, just ask them something about life as a human. They'll really enjoy explaining it to you :)

[Mizuko]

Hi Cora! :D I follow the Reef HQ page and I'm so happy you're the mermaid working there! :D
I find it helps to ask THEM lots of questions too- if they ask you what your favourite food is, give them an answer and then ask them if that's THEIR favourite food too! (Especially if its something silly, like crab cakes!) Depending their age, they will happily tell you all about their lives on land! If they are quite young, you can still talk to them about your home under the sea- tell them about the animals you swim with, etc. I find the more confident you are about your home under the sea, the more they'll believe you are real :) You'll do fine, though, trust me! :D Most of the time, the tails talk for themselves ;)

[AniaR]

Hi Cora. We've got a couple threads on talking to kids.

As mentioned I have a book on being a pro mermaid. With loads of ideas. The ebook version can be found here: http://www.lulu.com/shop/raina-mermaid/fishy-business-how-to-be-a-mermaid/ebook/product-21180865.html if you'd prefer a paper version it can be found here http://www.lulu.com/shop/raina-mermaid/fishy-business-how-to-be-a-mermaid/paperback/product-21180871.html and I have a coupon code for free shipping (expires Oc 6th) GMF14

The other thing I have that might help you, is that I run online workshops for mermaids. I have a 2 hour workshop you can download a copy of and it's all about working with kids as a mermaid. It gets into the nitty gritty of everything. You can purchase a copy by filling in your info at this link (the info isnt shared, and is just used to give you a good invoice) http://www.anymeeting.com/PIID=EA55D687894831 is the link.

Between all these resources, you'll be a regular expert by the time you're done!

Welcome to the site

and p.s. thanks to everyone who suggested my stuff ;)

[Chrissy]

I find that I don't have to do much asking questions, the kids are always asking me and I just come up with my cute story and they love it. Some kids you can tell are a bit shy so I will ask them something cute along the lines of "I heard you get to have ice cream? What is ice cream taste like? And usually that opens them up. I like when they ask me where I get all me stuff from. Like the coins on my belt, I tell them I got them off a pirate ship. They will ask about the pearls I swen on my top and I tell them I got them from oysters and then I will ask the kids if they like them!!!
When I get the ones that say I am not a real mermaid, I ask if they are a real human and then start telling them about the ocean. Kids are a fun group!!!

[Chrissy]

that is so awesome!!! I love the looks on kids faces when they see us for the first time!!!

[Rayne Mermaid]

Not a pro mer, so I'm not familiar with how your shows go. But I am a speech therapist who works with kids. When you're meeting new people (of all ages), they find you the most interesting when you get them to talk about themselves. Ask the kids questions. What do they think/feel/know about mermaids? That will give you some ideas for how to proceed. It's just an idea, but you'll definitely get some cute, funny, and thought-provoking responses.

If you get a cynical little person, tell them: "If I wasn't a mermaid, could I do this?" and do a trick, or just splash them with your tail. And don't let non-believers get to you. You know you're as real as can be. Plus, kids smell fear like sharks smell blood.

:shark:

They'll be thrilled with a mermaid who can go with the flow and have fun with them, even if she doesn't meet the most stringent standards of "realness". Welcome to the Network, by the by!


Genevieve...that is definitley one of the best answers I have read! Thank you so much for sharing!!

[Aurelian]

It's so cool seeing all of this advice! I feel like talking to people as a mermaid is overall easier for some people. As a mermaid, I tend to just forget my shyness and become a completely different person. It's awesome.:D

[Seaspray Mermaid]

I really play up the asking card, I like to ask about "land life" and find things we have in common. I like to eat fish, they like fish sticks. In the water, we compare handstands and flips, or I'll ask them if they blow bubbles like a mermaid or splash like a mermaid.