Embedded Files
- All learning is understood developmentally
The impact of school closures on children and young people will be extremely individual and will have had a variety of positive and negative effects. Knowing the learner and offering them experiences which are appropriate for their developmental level will be essential. Catching up should not be the priority, we need to give children and young people time to make the transition, share their experience and reconnect.
Play, fun and laughter are important
Learning activities should help us connect socially
Consider attachment needs
Revisit and consolidate previous learning
Assessment and Intervention
2. The school offers a safe base
2. The school offers a safe base
The change, uncertainty and impact of setting closures will have affected children and young people differently depending on the balance of other protective and risk factors in their lives. Now, more than ever, we need to ensure that our schools offer a secure emotional base for our learners. We need to prioritise and support their social and emotional development to enable them to feel safe enough to recover and reconnect to staff and each other.
Welcome everyone
Explain, discuss and revisit the new requirements
Think structure, routine and predictability
Create a sense of belonging
Provide safe and calming spaces for everyone
3. Nurture is important for wellbeing
3. Nurture is important for wellbeing
On welcoming our children and young people back to school it will help to demonstrate that we kept them in mind while we were not together. We need to help them see that connections and relationships are still in place and can be renewed and strengthened. We have an opportunity to build resilience by modelling mentally healthy responses to the disruption and change whilst not minimising the adversities faced during this time by some.
Staff wellbeing is important
Children and young people's wellbeing is important
Notice strengths and creativity
Enable choice and control
Celebrate success
Praise, effort and persistence
4. Language is a vital means of communication
4. Language is a vital means of communication
Children and young people will look to those around them for language to describe our shared experiences and also to understand and put into words their individual experiences. We need to think carefully about the words we choose to describe the changes we have all experienced. We need to encourage children and young people to use different ways to explore what has happened to them and how they feel about it.
Help children and young people put their feelings into words
Give them ways of asking for help
Help them to manage their emotions
Think carefully about your own words and messages
Be prepared to talk about bereavement, loss and grief
5. All behaviour is communication
5. All behaviour is communication
We know that how children and young people behave is communication and we are used to asking ourselves “What is this telling me?” We may observe some confusing or concerning behaviours from children and young people when schools return. It is important to remember that any behaviour makes sense to the person displaying it given their unique experiences. It is through our relationships with them that we will be able to interpret their behaviour and work out how best to support them with what has happened allowing them to recover and reconnect.
What is this behaviour telling me?
Connect and Redirect
Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy
Regulate, Relate then, Reason
6. Transitions are important
6. Transitions are important
Everyone is making transitions to new circumstances and we need to take time to adjust to our new situations. Some children and young people will cope with these transitions with minimal support whilst others will find this more challenging. We will need to be flexible and responsive to individual needs. Staff, children and families will need time to meet, share and reconnect. Establishing a key adult, maintaining routines and the use of familiar environments, experiences and transitional experiences will help to support this.
It's ok to be worried about going back to school
Go gradually and slowly
Allow everyone the time and space to share and discuss
Prepare everyone for changes
Support regulation
Further information can be found here:
Further information can be found here:
Nurture Group Network www.nurturegroupnetwork.org
Further info-graphics about all six Nurture Principles https://www.epinsight.com/
Page updated
Report abuse