Curious Minds

Talking about feelings in school

Emotional wellbeing is a big focus for schools this year.  Following last year's National Year of Health and Wellbeing, Liverpool has extended the theme into 2011, recognising the significance that physical and mental health has on people's ability to live a full and active life - and learn.  Here is a snapshot of how five Merseyside schools are helping children to express their feelings about challenges in life, understand differences between people and accept their rights and responsibilities.

 

• St Edward's Catholic Primary School is a Curious Minds Change School in Halton.  Its 'Ready and Able' project explores how 'learning to learn' strategies impact on pupil's emotional wellbeing and readiness to achieve and attain, particularly in writing and speaking.  The project involves writer Hilary Keating, Community Consultant Gerri Moriarty, and drama practitioners Konflux Theatre and Peter Kennedy.

The following projects are all being developed in Enquiry Schools:

• English Martyr's Catholic Primary School in Sefton is asking, 'How can a community of learners use new, emerging technologies to encourage positive social behaviour?'. Working with Lynne Harwood from First Take Film Company, the project will involve children in filming, post-production, literacy, numeracy and ICT to research the impact of using positive language and behaviour.
• St Sebastian's Catholic Primary and Nursery, Liverpool, is collaborating with drama practitioner Lisa Rowe, wellbeing practitioner Kate Norfolk and visual artist Sophie Bower, to support the understanding of empathy amongst Year 2 children.  The project, called 'How do I make you feel?', will explore Alice in Wonderland character traits and develop understanding of the impact our actions have on other people's feelings. 
• The Grange Infant School, Halton, asks 'How can art and creativity help us promote community cohesion in our curriculum?'.  It will involve whole families in exploring diverse communities and cultural networks using art, creative role play, video and conversation.  The project, called 'You, Me and Us', will also support speaking, listening and literacy objectives.
• Wellesbourne Community Primary School in Liverpool aims to raise aspirations, improve self-esteem and change attitudes using drama, massage and art.  The project is called 'A Spaceship to my feelings' and involves drama practitioner Emma Bramley, massage practitioner Kate Norfolk and visual artist Karen Edwards.  Emma will use the 'Mantle of the Expert' drama technique to enable children to explore space and meet a sick alien from a planet where everyone expresses feelings through talk and touch.  Living on earth, where this doesn't happen so much, has made him sick.  The children will help him find ways to recover. The school will be monitoring the impact the project has on attendance and behaviour.