Your Child's Mental Health
Life is full of uncertainty, which can increase stress and anxiety levels in children and adults in an unprecedented way. Now is the time to do all we can to protect our mental health and the mental health of those we love. Children, teens, and young adults are particularly affected by intensified uncertainty.
In school we support pupil's mental health through our behaviour curriculum as a universal approach. In addition to this, we offer additional support through Drawing and Talking which is run by one of our staff members, Mrs Dainton.
Individual work with children
Drawing and Talking is a therapeutic play technique that uses imagination and art to support children to express emotions. It is particularly affective with children who have experienced trauma or who are experiencing emotional difficulties.
The child will have 12, half hour sessions held a week apart. The day and the time of the session remain consistent to allow the child to form an attachment with the practitioner.
Within the session the student is invited to draw. This helps them to communicate their feelings and experiences in a safe and non-confrontational way. The practitioner guides the session by asking non-intrusive questions about the drawing, helping the student to process and reflect.
Drawing and Talking can aid children to express themselves, regulate their emotions and improve their self-esteem. Children can also develop a greater emotional awareness and social understanding.
Miss Dainton is an Advanced Drawing and Talking Practitioner, allowing her to work individually with children as well as facilitating group work and sand play sessions.
If you think your child may benefit from Drawing and Talking please contact our SENCO Mrs Harrison.
Small group work
The purpose of directed group work is to support children in building positive connections with one another while developing social skills and a sense of belonging. The group provides a safe and supportive environment in which children can feel listened to, understood and valued, as well as recognise shared experiences among their peers. Through guided interaction, children will practise reflective listening, empathy and perspective taking, helping them to gain insight through relationships and reduce feelings of isolation through a shared purpose.
The programme consists of 8 weekly sessions. Each session introduces a different theme or guiding question for exploration. Children are invited to express their thoughts by creating a drawing in response to the theme, which they then may choose to share with the group. Participation in sharing is always voluntary, and no child is ever pressured to speak or present their work. At the conclusion of the final session , children will be able to take home their folder of drawings to share with their family if they wish.
I have previously facilitated group sessions of this nature, and children have found them enjoyable and engaging. The sessions are not intended to be intensive or emotionally demanding, rather, they are child - led and designed to provide a positive, creative space where children can explore their thoughts and feelings in a way that feels safe and supportive.
We also offer other mental health support in school if needed such as links with the Mental Health Support Team and Safe Space.
Please find links below to websites that may help parents manage their children's mental health: