As a general rule we are not advocates of the formal, direct teaching of social and emotional skills ? particularly to primary school children. Our thinking on theses issues has been set out in our critique of the English school initiative, SEAL
However, we believe that in the next few years teachers must try to undo some aspects of overprotective parenting by formally discussing aspects of resilience with pupils. We have been particularly impressed by the Australian classroom based resiliency programme, Bounce Back. Bounce Back has a number of useful activities and elements which can help foster resilience. We also recommend that teachers involve parents in discussion of some of these themes. Ultimately we aspire to these messages being communicated indirectly in a home, rather than a school environment.
However, we believe that in the next few years teachers must try to undo some aspects of overprotective parenting by formally discussing aspects of resilience with pupils. We have been particularly impressed by the Australian classroom based resiliency programme, Bounce Back. Bounce Back has a number of useful activities and elements which can help foster resilience. We also recommend that teachers involve parents in discussion of some of these themes. Ultimately we aspire to these messages being communicated indirectly in a home, rather than a school environment.
