Resources to support development
We live in an increasingly complex world and are socialising our children for a future in a world that currently does not exist, only yesterday with ‘designer babies’ being set for the future our world will be unrecognisable.
These resources are based on the core content of personal, social, health, and economic (PSHE) education, based on significant evidence of the positive impact PSHE education has on student outcomes, social mobility, and emotional intelligence when delivered well and regularly. As the curriculum becomes compulsory tailoring resources to suit the age and stage of development which mirrors that of the child to use in the home will encourage open and honest conversation.
As a teacher and mum, I feel that more must be completed at home to close the gap between home and school and ensure that positive talking and sharing time is had between parent/carer and child. Ensuring that throughout the workbook, progression is structured to help spiral and build up a child’s understanding of key health, relationship, safety, and active citizenship issues.
One of the main aims is to support the child to build a robust set of skills that will aid them in confidently facing challenges throughout their lives. The resources work to help children recognise their character whilst developing and building high levels of resilience, a strong self-awareness, and emotional literacy as well as emotion and risk management. Children are also provided with opportunities to consider their roles within the local, national and global communities.
It is critical that children are able to strive and grow into responsible and secure adults. It is equally as critical that as adults we feel that we have access to resources, tools, and a community that supports us to grow and develop.
My objective with The Mindful Academies is to firstly create resources that encourage families to talk, to learn about themselves and each other using aspects of the school curriculum, psychology as well as aspects of neuro-linguistic processing amongst others. The resources can be used to close the gap between home and school. To build open and honest conversation supporting children to have access to the literacy and resources required to speak about their feelings and emotions.
The resources encourage the creation of spaces where children feel safe to self-regulate their emotions as they mature into young adults, as well as building relationships between adult and child so that the child will know that the adult is always emotionally available to talk.
Let’s not forget about us adults! Having led in teacher training and development for many years, writing development programmes, and supporting the growth and development of college-age students on the cusp of adulthood, I feel that it is important to continue to self-develop, reflect, and learn in our personal lives. Following a huge breakdown in 2018, I used my own personal development plans and resources to help build myself back up! It wasn’t easy and I have had to do this time and time again.
As a stationary-obsessed mum, tutor, and teacher the resources are designed to complement journaling, as a means of personal development and empowerment. Through exploration of coaching materials and strategies, through aspects of psychology, counseling techniques, and the Law of Attraction, from Maslow to Dweck the resources are reflective and educational in nature fully focused on personal development and encouraging self-empowerment and good mental health - it's all about developing and instilling those really good habits of mind and behaviour.
Let's not forget - I also get to play with cute washi tape, pens, and stickers - and I get to buy loads ... I will probably never use.