This week, primary schools across the UK are discussing an inspiring news story highlighting achievement, resilience, and the meaning of competition. The focus is on nine-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan, who is set to make history as the youngest person ever to represent England internationally in any sport. Let’s take a closer look at Bodhana's journey, as well as explore broader topics around games, competition, and the role of age in opportunity. Who Is Bodhana Sivanandan? Bodhana Sivanandan, from Harrow in northwest London, was selected for England's national chess team to compete at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest this September. Not only does this make her England’s youngest international representative in any sport, but Bodhana is also nearly 15 years younger than her next-youngest teammate. The rest of the team are all in their 30s and 40s. Bodhana began learning chess at age five during the coronavirus pandemic, starting with a chess board that was about to be donated to charity. She has clear ambitions, aspiring to become a grandmaster, England's youngest Olympic gold medallist, and a world title holder. On school days, Bodhana practices chess for about an hour daily, and she dedicates even more time on weekends, often participating in tournaments. Her advice to others: "If you lose a game, you should try and learn from it." What Is the Chess Olympiad? The Chess Olympiad is a major international team competition held every two years. In 2024, the tournament will take place in Budapest, Hungary, where Bodhana will join the England Women's Team. She will be the youngest participant in the squad by a considerable margin, competing against adults and highly experienced players. Feelings and Reactions: Competing with Older People For Bodhana, entering a competition where all her teammates and most competitors are much older may bring a mix of excitement, pride, nervousness, and challenge. It is natural to have a range of emotions in such unique situations, from feeling inspired and enthusiastic to feeling daunted or apprehensive. This story encourages students to think about their own experiences: Have you ever felt too young or too old for an activity? Have you missed out on opportunities due to age, or perhaps felt pressure from competing with others? Games Through Time: Then and Now Playing games remains a core activity for children everywhere, but games have changed over time. Classic playground games like hopscotch, traditional marbles, spinning tops, and board games like chess, dominoes, and Monopoly are joined today by computer games on tablets, consoles, and online. Reflecting on these games offers a chance to discuss which are played only in the past, which in the present, and which have spanned generations. Discuss with your class: What games do you enjoy playing? Have you tried any games mentioned above? What are the rules, and do you prefer to play individually or as part of a team? The Pros and Cons of Being Competitive Competition plays a major role in both games and life. There are many advantages to developing a competitive spirit—it can motivate people, make activities exciting, boost self-esteem, build discipline, and sharpen focus. However, the pressure to win sometimes brings stress, feelings of inadequacy, or conflict with friends. Discuss these ideas with your class or at home. Consider these well-known sayings: “Win at all costs.” “A flower doesn’t think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms.” “It’s not the winning, it’s the taking part that counts.” Which phrase best matches your own outlook? Should Age Set Boundaries? Bodhana’s story prompts reflection on age-related rules and restrictions. Sometimes age limits exist to keep people safe or to ensure fairness. But does age always need to set boundaries? Adults and children alike can learn from each other, and everyone—regardless of age—has the right to share opinions and be heard. Reflect on times when you, or someone you know, were told they were too young or too old for something. How did it feel? Are there age restrictions you think are necessary, or some that could be reconsidered? Enriching Classroom Activities For Key Stage 1 Research and bring a game from the past into the classroom. Try marbles, cat’s cradle, or pick-up sticks! Invent a new game as a group. Think about the objective, rules, number of players, and what you need to play. For Key Stage 2 Explore the topic of age in humans and animals—compare the lifespan and development of different species. Plan a competition for your school: decide on a theme, promote it, determine the rules, and select prizes. New Developments in Science and Sports This assembly also features other interesting recent news: Robot Guide Dogs in China: Scientists are developing a robot guide dog, using sensors and artificial intelligence to aid people with visual impairments. Ice Cream Van Rescue: At Harlyn Bay in Cornwall, an ice cream van was swept out to sea, but most of the ice creams were saved before the tide claimed the vehicle. Fastest Three Peaks Challenge: Athlete Imogen Boddy broke the women's record for running the National Three Peaks Challenge, covering 680km in just over six days. Airborne Hippopotamuses: Research from the Royal Veterinary College showed that hippos can become airborne for 0.3 seconds while running. Key Vocabulary Compulsory: Something that must be done, possibly by law or rule. Grandmaster: One of the highest-ranking chess players in a country. Internationally: Taking place across many different countries. Olympiad: A major international competition in a particular field. Represent: To officially take part on behalf of your country. Situation: What is happening to you at a particular time. Reflection: Everyone Has a Voice Bodhana’s example reminds us all: we should never feel too young or too old to try new things. People of all ages have valuable perspectives, and everyone’s voice deserves to be heard. Let’s show respect by listening carefully to each other and appreciating our differences as strengths. Explore the latest Picture News resources here: https://picture-news.co.uk/free-sample Join our latest discussion here: https://picture-news.co.uk/discuss Explore our recent events and training here: https://picture-news.co.uk/training
