Chat Happy

Along with two of my peers, we decided to go along to a workshop which was being delivered by Sharon Canning, Student Services at the Enquiry Centre attached to Dundee’s Union. This workshop was initially for students to find ways of coping with stress. However, whilst advertising the workshop in the Library’s main entrance Sharon stated that she could tweek aspects of the workshop to suit our interest in children’s wellbeing. This was due to her being grateful for us showing an interest in going along as the 1st session was not successful as no one turned up.

The workshop was very helpful to gather information about activities which have proved beneficial to young people who Sharon has worked with. We were provided with a variety of ideas of things to do with children in the classroom to help them cope with daily life and anything which may be getting on top of them.

For example: writing a problem down, scrunching it up and throwing it the bin – making a decision that you wont let it bother you anymore; emotion charts – at different points of the day, weekly etc.; Desert Island Activity – helps identify what children appreciate/makes them happy; postcard activity – choose 2/3 postcards and say why chose them (feelings, likes/dislikes); colouring (stress relieving/escape); laughter; carousel music playing – everyone has a choice (increasing happiness in classroom); blue dog – if carry a problem around it just gets bigger; diaries; walks – getting out in fresh air and many other suggestions and ideas which were shared. We were also directed to the work of Gretchen Rubin – Happiness Project, more information about this can be found on her website: http://gretchenrubin.com/

The important message which came from this workshop was that it is vital to deal with whatever is bothering the children (ourselves) in order to ensure that minor worries do not snowball into bigger issues which are more difficult to deal with. Ensuring that we are talking and communicating with children and young people is key to providing opportunities for them to share their thoughts/concerns with those who can offer support and guidance.

The workshop also provided opportunities to learn of services which are available to practitioners, children and young people. I therefore believe that taking some time out to go along to one of the sessions was very beneficial to my future practice on placement and beyond. It also followed on nicely from a mental health lecture which was delivered as part of the module. Given that Sharon is used to working with slightly older children and young people, it was very much appreciated that she took the time to offer some suggestions and advice to us.

Some leaflets we were provided with: