The issue
Children and young people are under enormous pressure today - our fast-paced society is forcing them to grow at a rate that is counter-productive to their developmental and emotional needs. The pressure to achieve, be popular, please others, and participate in after-school activities and keep up with social media etc., means that they have very little time and space to slow down and experience a calm state of mind. This is evident in the array of emotional and behavioural problems that teachers have to try and manage in the classroom.
Over the last ten years I have run workshops and presented assemblies in many primary and secondary schools - on self-esteem and emotional literacy, emotional health, active listening, peer support, safeguarding, bereavement, eating disorders, sexual health, child abuse, smoking cessation, participation and thinking skills. I have been privileged to witness how the difference in school cultures in regard to emotional health can foster or deplete the health and wellbeing of staff and pupils. I have become increasingly concerned that pressure on teachers and management to achieve 'results' in the face of all the issues that impact on children has led to disengagement and stress/anxiety at every level. We all know that this is an intolerable situation - creating positive change in such a complex system and crowded curriculum can feel like a Herculean task!
How can 3 Principles Wales help schools to safeguard the emotional health and wellbeing of pupils and staff?
I facilitate 3 Principles workshops for pupils, enabling children to safely explore and gain insight into their thoughts and feelings and discover how to recognise and change their 'state of mind'. Through this understanding, children and their caregivers can use the simple logic of the Principles to find peace in the moment, understanding, insight, compassion, and unconditional self-esteem and self-acceptance.
It all starts with the staff
Many of the teachers I have spoken with and trained over the years have repeated the same stories of experiencing stress/anxiety, disengagement, frustration and burnout. Some of these schools were providing emotional health initiatives for pupils but many had forgotten to identify/meet the emotional needs of the staff. Teachers from schools who really invest in developing a culture of emotional health and wellbeing for pupils and staff, did not talk about the same symptoms - they were more creative, hopeful, resilient and still passionate about educating children! Teachers/LSA's who are able to value and safeguard their own emotional health will naturally serve as healthy role models for our children.
I create bespoke workshops for school staff as well as pupils to best meet the needs of the whole school in their understanding of the 3 Principles...
The Benefits
The 3 Principles understanding in schools provides many benefits:
Children and young people are under enormous pressure today - our fast-paced society is forcing them to grow at a rate that is counter-productive to their developmental and emotional needs. The pressure to achieve, be popular, please others, and participate in after-school activities and keep up with social media etc., means that they have very little time and space to slow down and experience a calm state of mind. This is evident in the array of emotional and behavioural problems that teachers have to try and manage in the classroom.
Over the last ten years I have run workshops and presented assemblies in many primary and secondary schools - on self-esteem and emotional literacy, emotional health, active listening, peer support, safeguarding, bereavement, eating disorders, sexual health, child abuse, smoking cessation, participation and thinking skills. I have been privileged to witness how the difference in school cultures in regard to emotional health can foster or deplete the health and wellbeing of staff and pupils. I have become increasingly concerned that pressure on teachers and management to achieve 'results' in the face of all the issues that impact on children has led to disengagement and stress/anxiety at every level. We all know that this is an intolerable situation - creating positive change in such a complex system and crowded curriculum can feel like a Herculean task!
How can 3 Principles Wales help schools to safeguard the emotional health and wellbeing of pupils and staff?
I facilitate 3 Principles workshops for pupils, enabling children to safely explore and gain insight into their thoughts and feelings and discover how to recognise and change their 'state of mind'. Through this understanding, children and their caregivers can use the simple logic of the Principles to find peace in the moment, understanding, insight, compassion, and unconditional self-esteem and self-acceptance.
It all starts with the staff
Many of the teachers I have spoken with and trained over the years have repeated the same stories of experiencing stress/anxiety, disengagement, frustration and burnout. Some of these schools were providing emotional health initiatives for pupils but many had forgotten to identify/meet the emotional needs of the staff. Teachers from schools who really invest in developing a culture of emotional health and wellbeing for pupils and staff, did not talk about the same symptoms - they were more creative, hopeful, resilient and still passionate about educating children! Teachers/LSA's who are able to value and safeguard their own emotional health will naturally serve as healthy role models for our children.
I create bespoke workshops for school staff as well as pupils to best meet the needs of the whole school in their understanding of the 3 Principles...
The Benefits
The 3 Principles understanding in schools provides many benefits:
- develops concentration and intuition
- calms the mind (especially before tests/exams)
- relaxes the body
- encourages insight into thoughts and feelings (supporting emotional literacy programmes)
- fosters friendships, peer support and community cohesion
- nurtures creativity and expression
- aids conflict resolution
- encourages problem solving
- helps deal with loss/bereavement/emotional challenges
- supports sustainable development projects in school
- embodies lifelong learning
