A PSHE specialist teacher, consultant, trainer and author with over 40 years’ experience in the education, health and media. Respected nationally and internationally, having worked across the UK, with the USA and Europe.
Now offering private English tuition for Key stages 2-4 (inc)
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Dear parents with school aged young and (older) children,
Right now you might be wondering what an earth to do now that we know schools are closing down. You might be inclined to create a minute by minute schedule for your children. You have high hopes of hours of learning, including online activities, science experiments, and book reports. You’ll limit technology until everything is done! But here’s the thing... Our children are just as scared as we are right now. Children not only can hear everything that is going on around them, but they feel our constant tension and anxiety. They have never experienced anything like this before. Although the idea of being off school for 4 weeks ( possibly longer) sounds exciting, they are probably picturing a fun time rather like the 'summer holidays,' not the reality of being trapped at home and not seeing their friends. Over the coming weeks, you may see an increase in behaviour issues with your children; whether it’s anxiety, or anger, or protest that they can’t do things normally - it will happen. You’ll see more meltdowns, tantrums, and oppositional behavior in the coming weeks. This is normal and expected under these circumstances. What children need right now is to feel comforted and loved. To feel like it’s all going to be ok. And that might mean that you tear up your perfect schedule and love on your children a bit more. Play outside and go on walks. Bake and paint pictures. Play board games and watch movies. Do a science experiment together or find virtual field trips of the zoo and museums - There are plenty online. Start a book and read together as a family. Snuggle under warm blankets and do nothing. Don’t worry about them regressing in school. Every single child is in this boat and they all will be ok. When we are back in the classroom, we will all get back on course and meet them where they are. Teachers are experts at this! Don’t pick fights with your children because they don’t want to do maths. Don’t scream at your children for not following the schedule. Don’t mandate 2 hours of learning time if they are resisting it. If I can leave you with one thing, it’s this: at the end of all of this, the mental health of your child will be more important than their academic skills. And how they felt during this time will stay with them long after the memory of what they did during those 4 (+) weeks is long gone. So keep that in mind, every single day. Stay safe. X Please feel free to contact me if you think I might be able to offer some help or advice. |
My experience includes working across a variety of settings:
Education – in schools [both state and private sector], colleges, universities; Professional development –with teachers, school nurses, trainee doctors, PGCE students, voluntary sector staff etc; and Local authorities – in LEAs, PCTs and Social Services. At national and international level with: Department for Education (DfE); The National Children’s Bureau; The Home Office; Department of Health; National Institute for health and Clinical Excellence (NICE); Metropolitan and other police forces; DODS – Westminster; and with a number of voluntary agencies and charities. |
Just released, my brand new series of
PSHE resources. Published by Hodder Education
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Trainer and Facilitator
The way I work is based on the Recommended Quality Standards for Sexual Health Training produced by the Department of Health – Wanting participants to:
Meet learning outcomes and competencies by developing their knowledge, skills, understanding and confidence.
Use and develop their inter-personal and communication skills by becoming involved in individual, small group and plenary activities, and in discussion.
Find ways to respectfully challenge attitudes and practice which limit equality of opportunity, human rights and dignity.
Be equipped to work with diverse groups and individuals.
Engage their intellect, experience, thoughts and feelings.
Commit themselves to attend for the whole training event.
Meet learning outcomes and competencies by developing their knowledge, skills, understanding and confidence.
Use and develop their inter-personal and communication skills by becoming involved in individual, small group and plenary activities, and in discussion.
Find ways to respectfully challenge attitudes and practice which limit equality of opportunity, human rights and dignity.
Be equipped to work with diverse groups and individuals.
Engage their intellect, experience, thoughts and feelings.
Commit themselves to attend for the whole training event.
