We have been teaching PATHS (Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies) since September 2021. We began using the programme in Flying Start and now it is used throughout the Lower School. We are proud that our Flying Start has been awarded model school status for putting social and emotional learning (SEL) at the heart of all we do through the PATHS Programme for Schools.
PATHS is a programme of lessons and strategies that helps children manage their emotions, communicate effectively and problem solve independently.
It takes a holistic approach to include all children, families and staff are involved.
PATHS is a research based programme grounded in the science of children’s brain development. It uses progressive schemes of work, engaging resources and diverse activities to establish a positive classroom.
PATHS helps children with…
Self-esteem, self-confidence and self-control
Frustration & anger management
Attention and concentration
Thinking before they act out in anger
Emotional understanding
Expressing their feelings in a positive way
Understanding that all feelings are okay, but some behaviours are not ok
Preparing for change (e.g. transitioning to another class/year group/school)
PATHS works around 3 key features
The children are taught how to recognise different feelings, what it feels like to be happy, frustrated or sad etc. They are also taught what it might look like for other people. Feelings are described as comfortable or uncomfortable but all feelings are ok. e.g. It’s ok to feel upset or angry it’s how we then deal with these feelings. The children will build up a set of feeling cards so they can show and talk about who they are feeling. These may be of some use at home too, so there are a set of feeling cards here that can be printed off (Comfortable and uncomfortable).
Building children’s self esteem is key to PATHS so everyday in each class there is a star or the day (this may be called something slightly different in each class). The child will do special tasks throughout the day but most importantly be given compliments that are then recorded and sent home. A compliment is then also encouraged from home. The compliments from home are shared with the class and will then go into a special book in class.
PATHS is about feelings, understanding our own and others. That is OK to feel sad or angry but it’s not OK to hit because of it. PATHS offers strategies to deal with problems that arise. In Flying Start, Early Yeras, Reception and Year 1 this is through Twiggle (a little turtle), year 2 upwards use traffic lights. (Mini versions of these are available to print off).
Sally Evans, the Flying Start lead at Pembroke Dock Community School, said they had turned to the programme after lockdown as a way of helping children who had limited experience of school or playgroups.
She said: “We know how vital these stages are in pre-school children, as this is where they learn and develop their early social and emotional skills.
“Through the programme we have been able to empower our youngest learners to develop these key skills including social problem solving, self-control, emotional understanding, peer relations and self-esteem which will hopefully enable them to make positive choices in their future lives.”
Following a 100% improvement in key areas, the school has now rolled out the programme to older children
PATHS - A parent guide