In our nursery children’s social skills will be fostered in an environment where positive behaviour is actively promoted.
It is vital for all staff to develop a consistent approach to managing children’s behaviour. This approach is informed by knowledge of how children’s brain develop and recognition of each child’s stage in their development and their abilities. At Beanstalk Family Nurture Centre, we believe that wellbeing is at the heart of learning and recognise that supporting emotional and social development will help build resilient children who benefit from key life skills.
We actively use Emotion Works tools to support children to become aware of, name and understand their emotions, behaviours and triggers as well as how we can manage them appropriately.
This vital learning is also supported by our offer of mindfulness and yoga throughout nursery sessions.
Although, we must understand that the nursery environment is challenging for children. It requires them to develop lots of these skills, quickly and all at once. They have to learn how to cope with a busy environment with lots of stimulus, share spaces with lots of others, share resources, work together and form relationships! This is a lot to contend with but also offers the development of vital skills. This does present challenges for children and our skilled staff are there to support:
It is not helpful for adults to sort out children’s disagreements for them. Careful support and management of issues will help children to manage their own behaviour, to learn how to negotiate and to be self-disciplined.
Offer solutions:-
Teach children how to say ‘no’ to each other, firmly but kindly.
- “Please don’t push me, I don’t like it.”
- “No Thank you!”
- “I will give you this spade as soon as I have filled my bucket.”
- “I will give you the bike after I have had a go”
Children will soon realise that they can take control of these situations. Staff need to observe and to be aware of children’s relationships and any difficulties which arise.
In a few cases a specific programme may need to be developed by the staff team to support a child.
The emotional wellbeing of our young people matters. It’s normal for young people to face emotional challenges growing up, and their mental health is as important as their general physical health and wellbeing. For more information and links to sources of support, please go to www.fife.gov.uk/ourmindsmatter
