1) Flourish Family Workshops 2) Flourish Focus
Flourish Family Focus Online Learning Lunch Wednesday 23rd September, 1.00pm-1.45pm
Problem Solving and Negotiating: Exploring the Steps to Success
Join this interactive session to explore techniques that may be beneficial for the whole family:
At some point most of us will have had to put our problem solving and negotiating abilities to the test. Like us, children need to be able to make decisions and manage their responses to people and situations which at times can be challenging. Fortunately these skills can be developed at any age and when mastered are often found to be empowering and valuable contributors to overcoming difficulty and resolving disagreement.
In this session we will explore simple steps for successful problem solving and the 8 point plan of negotiation, both of which are effective at all stages of growth and development. To reserve your place please email Sally Sharp on ssharp@edgegrove.com by 5.00pm on Tuesday 22nd September. Sessions will take place via Google Meet, and the joining code will be forwarded with your booking confirmation. I look forward to ‘seeing’ you there. With very best wishes. Sally Sharp Head of Wellbeing Scroll down for my article on Empathy, our Flourish Focus for the Autumn Term.
Flourish Focus
Empathy - The jewel in the crown of emotional intelligence By Sally Sharp
Kindness and compassion are qualities to be proud of and ones that we hope to instil in children, but achieving this goal requires more than asking them to do nice things for others. Truly kind, understanding people are motivated by feelings of empathy and this term our Flourish Focus encourages pupils, parents and staff all to focus on this important topic. Why is raising awareness of empathy and what it is important? Quite simply empathy is at the heart of good relationships of any kind, and begins with valuing other perspectives and others. When we can see things from another person’s perspective and understand how they may be feeling, we are truly empathetic. Thankfully this central component of emotional intelligence can be learned and developed by children, and adults alike through talking about the benefits and raising awareness of the positive impact the ability to show and demonstrate empathy can have.
Modelling
Empathising with children helps develop trusting, secure attachments and encourages adoption of our values and behaviour - Actively listen, connect with the thoughts, feelings and actions of your children and the wider community to help them recognise the benefits and to learn to do the same.
Care and compassion
Helping children recognise the needs of others assists their ability to put themselves into someone else’s ‘shoes’. The ability to understand and connect with the perspective of others helps children to show care and compassion and supports informed decision making.
Opportunity and encouragement
Empathy is not something we are born with, it is something we learn. Just like learning other skills, it requires practice and guidance - fortunately there are many ways this can be incorporated into daily life:
Empathy is a valuable life skill that children are never too young to learn and adults never too old to improve - a skill that we are all able to reap the benefits of in many areas of life, now.