Category Archives: Uncategorized
Try a different way of responding to behaviour this week
Instead of the usual way of responding to behaviour which usually involves giving an instruction, try a more exploratory approach and see what happens Instead of: Try this: Sit still I can see you’re finding it hard to sit still, … Continue reading
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Reflective language – free resource
I’ve developed a free online video resource which introduces reflective language, a simple and effective behaviour management tool that supports children’s emotional well-being. This is a technique I teach staff on a daily basis and which has had a big … Continue reading
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The importance of good working relationships
I spend a large part of my job supporting staff in developing strategies to manage challenging behaviour in children. I also spend a significant amount of time supporting senior staff in managing challenging behaviour from other staff members. In my … Continue reading
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Giving children permission to make mistakes
I was talking to a year 4 teacher this week who has just started with her class and was telling me a lot of the children find it hard to get started with their maths. I explored with him whether … Continue reading
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Being aware of children’s internal dialogue
Some children may have learnt to respond in a defensive way as a coping mechanism to manage the feelings of anxiety and fear that situations evoke in them. The child may present as feeling the opposite of this, for example, … Continue reading
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Tagged behaviour, children, emotional well being, internal dialogue, Self-esteem
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The importance of positive staff relationships
The quality of the relationships between staff in school impacts on their ability to work together effectively and to model positive relationships to the children. The relationship between the class teacher, teaching assistant and support workers in their class need … Continue reading
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Tagged staff, Staff well being. Positive
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Positive ways to respond to behaviour
Children do not want negative comments or attention for challenging behaviour, but some children may have learnt that any attention is better than no attention and therefore may evoke negative reactions from adults. Children who seek attention in the form … Continue reading
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Tagged anxiety, behaviour strategies, emotional well being, Staff well being. Positive
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“Mum was screaming cos he beat her to the floor”…a story of resilience
This is what a seven year old child told me several weeks ago during our first play therapy session. He witnessed domestic violence for the first few years of his life but his life is now more settled and stable, … Continue reading
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Tagged domestic violence, fear, primary school, resilience, trauma
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Children with attachment difficulties take longer to settle in a new class
Its week three of the new school year and from conversations i have been having this week with school staff, it seems that lots of children are still finding it hard to settle back to life in school. Children who have … Continue reading
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Tagged anxiety, behaviour, behaviour strategies, domestic violence, emotional well-being, primary school, Self-esteem
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Understanding children’s internal dialogue
Some children may have learnt to respond in a defensive way as a coping mechanism to manage the feelings of anxiety and fear that situations evoke in them. The child may present as feeling the opposite of this, for example, … Continue reading
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