There are so many things that we need to teach children, from mathematics to reading and writing. However, the last few years have also shown us the importance of helping children to build self-esteem and resilience, to support their mental health and well-being. I work with hundreds of children every year in my therapy work, […]
3 mindset tools we should teach children Read More »
When children struggle with anxiety, it can feel like the kindest thing to allow them to avoid the situation that is affecting them. However, we quickly discover that the list of things that they need to avoid becomes bigger and bigger, and their world becomes smaller and smaller and smaller. Safety Behaviours When we use
Why supporting avoidance is not kindness Read More »
Previously, I spoke about the child behaviour iceberg (find it here), so in this article, I want to look at the ABC of behaviour. When I started my career working as an early years practitioner, later as a Nursery Manager and then a lecturer of early years, (before eventually finding myself as an inspector) I would
Why we need to look beneath child behaviour Read More »
How often, when you have been faced with a challenge, crisis or struggle, have you been bombarded with comments to be ‘more positive’ and ‘look at the bright side’ and felt completely minimised or dismissed? In this article, I want to explore the concept of ‘Toxic Positivity’ and some of the risks that it holds
The Dangers of Toxic Positivity to Connection Read More »
In a world that seems to never stop what do we do when it all catches up with us? After the last 2 years of constant change, expectations and challenges to navigate, a frequent comment that I hear from children, teenagers, parents and professionals is that they feel ‘exhausted’. There has been so much to
5 ways to manage emotional exhaustion Read More »
When I used to teach, my students often got fed up with me, I will add here that it wasn’t because I was a terrible teacher, but because I refused to listen to the words ‘I can’t’. ‘I can’t do it’ The words I wouldn’t abide by. I wasn’t being mean… The thing is, I
Why we need to encourage perseverance in children Read More »
For many, seeing a perfectionist in action can feel like watching magic unfold. In fact, frequently, the reason perfectionists do not recognise the dangers of their behaviours is because they are greeted with feedback about: – How committed they are – How much attention to detail they have – How well they are doing –
The perils of perfectionism: supporting young people Read More »
So frequently, we hear parents and professionals refer to children as being ‘shy’. Often, we hear these comments being made in front of the child themselves, or written in their school reports; “Child is too shy to do that” “They find it hard to do that as they are shy” “She’s too shy to take
Why we need to stop telling children they are shy Read More »
Changes to the EYFS (PSED) In the new EYFS, self-regulation is now covered in the prime area of Personal, social and emotional development. If you want to keep up to date, find the EYFS here. The new Early Learning Goal, within Personal, Social and Emotional Development describes self-regulation as follows: ELG: Self-Regulation – Children at
Supporting Children to Develop Self-Regulation Skills Read More »
Praising children and teenagers is something that we all know is important. However, is there a right or wrong way to do it? Do we need to praise qualities, not outcomes? We frequently meet young people who place the value of themselves on: Their academic outcomes (homework, coursework) Their test results Their sporting achievements Their
Why we need to praise qualities, not outcomes Read More »
