SEND

Social Emotional and Mental Health|Social

Tools and tips

Praise positive behaviour

It can be so easy to get stuck in a negative cycle with a student that gets you and them no where. It is far better to be able to praise even the smallest thing, most students thrive on positive praise. I have even stuck a smile at the back of my classroom to remind me to smile more and use humour where ever I can. I have included 101 ways to praise a child in the toolbox- N.B. I would include some ways about effort rather than intelligence to try and create a positive mindset. I have also included some praise cards that can be printed out and given to students when they do something extra special, older students love postcards home and parents love receiving them.

Understand the principals of nurture

Nurture groups are a common sight in good primary schools, and are becoming increasingly more prevalent in secondary schools in different forms. The principals that drive them are well placed in and classroom. The six principals of nurture groups are:

• Children's learning is understood developmentally.
• The classroom offers a safe base.
• Nurture is important for the development of self-esteem.
• Language is understood as a vital means of communication.
• All behaviour is communication.
• Transitions are significant in the lives of children

I have included a document which describes these principals in more detail in the Toolbox.

Teach alternative responses

Use a students poor choice as an opportunity to learn, sometimes in the moment isn't the best time but shortly afterwards is an ideal opportunity to work through what went wrong and coach the student to work out what a better response would have been. If this has involved other students get them involved in the process and role play ways of solving tricky social situations. This is a powerful way of teaching the brain pathways to change. Some students are helped to remember through cues or calm down methods such as count to ten or massaging a pressure point. SEAL groups work well to examine the skills necessary for effective peer relationships. I love the Starving the Gremlin series of workbooks by Kate Collins-Donnelly, but equally good social skills could be based around taking turns in classroom games. I have included an example of talking games in the Toolbox section using a simple snakes and ladders format.

Encourage peer and group work outside of friendship groups

Try to encourage students to work with different partners as this helps to develop wider skills, but make sure that students feel comfortable it is often good to give them a specific role which they can use to anchor themselves within the group. Some good example of social skills worksheets that could easily be adapted for any lesson are linked here. Link 1 Link 2 I have included the what it takes to collaborate checklist form link 2 in the Toolbox section.

Look at core skills involved in working with others as part of lesson outcomes

Here are some of the skills you might consider when planning a group task. Try to be specific about what is needed form each skills and give students prompts to help them.

• Organising and Planning Skills. Being organised is essential to getting tasks done. ...
• Decision-Making. ...
• Problem-Solving. ...
• Communication Skills. ...
• Persuasion and Influencing Skills. ...
• Feedback Skills. ...
• Skills in Chairing Meetings. ...
• Conflict resolution.

Model desired behaviour

Using manors (please, thankyou, letting others go before you, taking turns etc.) in the classroom can go along way to promoting students to use them. I have included a good manors poster to teach students what is expected in the Toolbox.

Notice the students who try to remain invisible (even a smile can go a long way).

Some students will do anything to avoid the limelight they may be naturally shy or have attachment related issues. Try not to place too much pressure on these students, a gentle approach is best, with lots and lots of praise for getting involved to build confidence. Pass on major worries to the SENDCO as there may be un-diagnosed Speech and Language difficulties.

TOOLBOX