Every Step Counts by Ruth & John Kenward - 5 to 9 years old (KS1)

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Theme  -  Perseverance 
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Story  -  by Ruth & John Kenward  (approx 6 mins)

Extract:
When Lucy was born, one of her legs was shorter than the other. When she was a tiny baby that didn't matter, but by the time she was two it was obvious that Lucy couldn't walk very well. She went to see a special leg doctor. 'When Lucy is six,' the doctor said, 'she'll need an operation to make her legs the same length, otherwise the limp will get worse, and she'll have pain in her back and hips.'

By the time she was four, Lucy's limp was worse, but in spite of that she was a bundle of energy, running everywhere, always on the move. Best of all she loved playing football with her big brother and her dad. Because of her limp, she usually chose to be in goal, and she was getting very good at doing saves. 

By the time she was five, one leg was much shorter than the other. Lucy began to think people were staring at her- although they hardly ever were. 'I don't like my limp,' she complained. 'Why can't I be like everyone else?' The doctor gave her a special built-up shoe to wear on her shorter leg, which helped her not to limp. She was pleased at first, but by the time she was six she was fed up with it.

'I hate my big shoe,' she said, miserably. 'Why can't I be like everyone else and wear normal shoes? I want shiny red ones, like Kerry's.' Kerry was Lucy's best friend. Lucy's mum and dad decided it was time to tell her about the leg operation...

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Song  -  by John & Ruth Kenward  

With its rather ‘toy soldier’ feel, this song encourages children not to give up when things seem hard.  Every step means you’re moving on.  (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection Points - samples

1.  What do you think was the hardest thing Lucy had to put up with? 

2.  Even when she was tiny Lucy wasn't a girl who gave up easily, was she?  How do you know?

3.  If we know someone has a problem, how can we help them when they feel like giving up?

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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS1'. There is a parallel assembly for KS2 'You Gotta Try' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS2'.