The emotional health of our students is a key pillar of life at Sidcot School and is closely aligned with our values and aims. Emotional literacy is important at every age and we strive to develop it at this early stage, in Junior School, so that children have positive emotional health for now and into adulthood.
Promoting Emotional Wellbeing In Schools
Promoting emotional wellbeing in schools should go hand in hand with the traditional curriculum. Sidcot School has always taken a holistic approach to teaching and learning. What matters at Sidcot is not only academic achievement, but also emotional literacy, resilience, and strength of character. Promoting emotional wellbeing in schools is rooted in our Quaker history and our values.
How to Build Confidence in Children
Leading children to be better motivated and at ease with all aspects of themselves is integral to everything we do at Sidcot Junior School. We want our pupils to feel that they can speak up and communicate their feelings, and we help them to do this in a number of ways:
1. Wellbeing Activities for Children
Our programme of activities at Sidcot Junior School covers every kind of activity for every child. We have outdoor events, such as triathlon training and Forest School, as well as mindfulness activities, including model making and relaxation. Encouraging children to pursue their interests and find enjoyment outside of the classroom is a crucial part of nurturing our Junior School students’ emotional literacy and health.
2. Conflict Resolution Skills for Children
Our classrooms have a family feel and an atmosphere of mutual respect. Our pupils know they are being treated with fairness, that their views are listened to, and their decisions respected. When disagreements arise, as they will, we help children use the skills of peer mediation and conflict resolution.
3. Teaching Children Empathy
We encourage children to be creative and use imagination games to develop empathy and confidence around opposing points of view. In this way, the children learn to listen and come to understand, and not be frightened by difference and disagreement. Teaching children empathy is a cornerstone of our approach to emotional health.
Building Self-Esteem in Children
Emotional health for our Junior School children can only be developed if children have a strong sense of positive self-esteem. We support every single one of our children to be the best people they can be, and have many systems in place to make sure their wellbeing is taken care of. One of the methods we use for building self-esteem in children and improving emotional literacy is through the Family Links Nurturing Programme. Family Links is a way for teachers and staff to work together with parents to ensure that children are getting exactly what they need from Sidcot School and can access support to help them on their journey.
Emotional Literacy at Junior School
As you can see, we are committed to the emotional health and wellbeing of our students in Junior School and beyond. Education is not simply about tests, but about preparing children for life after the classroom and making them independent, happy, and confident people.
We would love to tell you more about how we promote emotional health in our Junior School and how this ties into our aims and values for each and every Junior School student. Please contact us, request a prospectus, or meet us at one of our upcoming open days.