Full Description
This is an essential resource for educators working to support emotional wellbeing in children and young people. Written by the team behind the Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) training programme, it provides practical suggestions that can be implemented straight away to make a positive difference in the life of the young person.
Fully updated, the third edition of this bestselling guide includes a new chapter on trauma and adverse childhood experiences, as well as expanded material to support neurodivergent children, help those who struggle with worry, and work more closely with parents and carers. The chapters give a clear overview of each topic underpinned by the latest research in educational psychology, descriptions of vulnerabilities as well as case studies, 'let's get practical' ideas, and reflective moments. Topics include:
Self-esteem
Friendship skills
Social skills
Therapeutic stories
Understanding anger and anxiety
Dealing with loss and bereavement.
With fresh colour illustrations throughout, this resource will be vital reading for ELSA trainees as well as anyone wanting to provide the best possible support for the emotional wellbeing of the young people they work with. It is designed for use with individuals, groups or whole classes.
Contents
CONTENTS
1. Introduction 1
ELSA 4
Psychological theory 5
Maslow's hierarchy of needs 5
Emotional literacy 8
Research around ELSA 10
Building relationships and modelling appropriate skills 12
About this third edition 14
2. Keys to good communication 21
Introduction 23
Connecting with children and young people who have experienced trauma 26
Elements of communication 28
Non-verbal communication 28
Some useful verbal strategies 28
Use of pauses and silence 29
Barriers to communication 30
Working with parents and carers 31
Let's get practical 32
Case studies 34
3. Recognising and managing feelings 37
Introduction 39
The impact of feelings 40
Brain physiology 42
Let's get practical 45
Ideas for helping children become more aware of their brain physiology 45
Activities for developing emotional awareness 47
Case studies 50
Working with parents and carers 52
4. Self-esteem 55
Introduction 57
1. Security (trusting, warm relationships) 58
2. Selfhood 60
3. Affiliation/belonging 62
4. Mission/motivation 63
5. Competence 66
Case study 70
Working with parents and carers 72
5. Working with angry feelings 77
Introduction 79
Understanding and managing anger 80
The assault cycle 81
Normalising anger 83
The firework model 84
The trigger 84
The fuse 85
Physiological changes 85
Calming strategies 87
Expressing angry feelings effectively 89
Working with puppets 90
Working with parents and carers 94
6. Anxiety 97
Introduction 99
Common triggers 101
Identifying children and young people who may be experiencing anxiety 102
Let's get practical 105
Case studies 115
Working with parents and carers 118
7. Friendship skills 121
Introduction 123
Let's get practical 125
Setting up a friendship group and clarifying the aims of the group 125
Selecting pupils 127
The group meetings 127
Content of the sessions 128
Tricky behaviour 130
Case studies 133
Working with parents and carers 135
8. Therapeutic stories 139
Introduction 141
Denial 143
Stages of change 144
Case study 145
Hearing about new strategies 148
A consistent approach 149
Let's get practical - writing a therapeutic story 150
Case study 151
The use of ready-made stories 155
Case studies 156
Working with parents and carers 158
9. Social skills and writing social stories 161
Introduction 163
The nature of communication 165
Basic social communication skills 166
A staged approach to teaching social skills 167
Let's get practical 168
Eye contact 168
Facial expression 169
Gesture 169
Posture 170
Proximity 170
Touch 171
Social skills groups 173
Lego® therapy 174
Child-friendly principles of attunement 175
Social stories 176
Case study 179
Working with parents and carers 180
10. Supporting children through loss and bereavement 183
Introduction 185
The process of grieving 188
Developmental responses to death 190
Death of a close relative 192
Case studies 194
Death in a school (and case study) 196
Complex grief 198
Family break-up 199
Let's get practical 202
Case study (family break-up) 204
Looking after yourself 205
Working with parents and carers 206
11. Resilience 209
Introduction 211
Factors underlying resilience 212
Risk factors 214
External protective factors 215
Internal protective factors 217
Let's get practical 219
Case study 223
Working with parents and carers 224
12. Supporting children who have experienced trauma or adverse childhood experiences (ACE) 227
Introduction 229
Understanding trauma 230
Types of adverse childhood experiences 230
The impact of trauma on development 231
Let's get practical 233
Trauma-informed care 233
Developing a positive relationship 233
The tree of life 234
Teach emotional literacy / self-regulation skills 236
Professional development for staff 239
Case study 240
Working with parents and carers 242
Appendix 1: Target-setting in intervention programmes 245
Appendix 2: A therapeutic story created by an ELSA within a friendship skills group 249
