Grade 4 - 7 SEL Workshop: 19 + 25 June

Self-Regulation has been our CEA tool for the latter part of the semester. It was heartening to spend two mornings discussing this with the Grade 4 - 7 cohort, delving deeper into why self-regulation (and co-regulation) are so relevant and vital, particularly at the stage of the year when pressures and demands may be mounting. 

Having unpacked the value of the CEA programme, some digital scenarios created by the PIXAR studio (‘Piper’ and ‘For the Birds’) provided much opportunity for discussion and reflection… and a few giggles. Topics raised included identifying and managing the "fight, flight, or freeze" responses, and the power of peer co-regulation. Additionally, the concept of peer pressure was raised, all with the underlying theme of servant leadership and positive role modelling at the heart of discussions.

With all of this in mind, the children formed breakaway groups to discuss and provide possible solutions for a variety of potentially realistic scenarios posed to them. These revolved around applying tools to support oneself and peers.

Children are wise. The workshop then shifted to providing the boys and girls with an opportunity to identify areas of concern that they felt they could be helped with… time management, developing a positive mindset, goal setting, and several other aspects came to the fore. These will be integrated into our tutor sessions as the year draws to a close.

The workshops concluded with a frank discussion around the concept of accountability, and with a reminder of the school’s policy of restorative discipline and how it is applied.

The children are commended for their positive, mature approach, and for the wholehearted manner in which they engaged in the workshops – they really are a good bunch.