At the Federation of Fairfield and Colneis we know that the most important thing for all children is to feel safe and secure and from such a strong base amazing learning can take place.
Just as we support all children to develop their academic skills, we strongly believe that all children should have the opportunity to learn about their emotions and how they influence our social interactions and ultimately our learning and lives. Every child at the Federation from Reception through to Year 6 will have the chance to develop their social and emotional skills and learn how their brain works and influences their emotions.
Every child is an individual and will react differently to challenging emotional situations, whether they are day to day or unexpected life events. Since 2018 we have adopted a whole school approach to supporting all children with their social and emotional wellbeing and development using the Thrive Approach. By using the Thrive Approach we are able to screen whole classes so that teachers can support all children to develop their social and emotional skills at an age appropriate level. We are also able to create individualised support offering tailor made sessions for children after consent has been given by their parent or guardian.
We recognise that life does not always run smoothly, sometimes unexpected events happen such as family bereavement, families separating, as well as the usual developmental challenges of friendships, family relationships and challenges at school. By supporting every child to understand how emotions affect us and our decisions, we can support every child to become successful life-long learners.
Meet The Team
Family Thrive
Helping you know what to do and how to be with your young people
Family Thrive programmes are run by schools using the Thrive Approach to help parents and carers understand how the Approach makes a positive difference to the wellbeing of your children – and therefore the whole family, including you!
The Thrive Approach shows you how to be – and the impact this has on those around you. It helps you to understand why your children might behave the way they do. You will discover how to ensure your time and interactions with your children have a positive impact.
Family Thrive will offer you some strategies and activities that help build positive relationships in your family unit, for the wellbeing of each and every one of you. (from www.thriveapproach.com)
Here at the Federation, we are pleased to be able to offer this course to introduce you to the fundamentals of Thrive and how it works in real life.
Each course is for 6 weeks and is for 2 hours per week. Any parent, carer or grandparent with a child(ren) at the Federation are invited.
This course will tell you about:
- The Thrive Approach
- How the brain works
- How your right brain talks to your left brain!
- Why play and creativity are so important to you and your child
- How to support your child at times of change and difficulty
- Everyday trigger times and how to keep calm
- How to be a behaviour detective
If you are interested in finding out more about Family Thrive please completed the ‘Expression of Interest’ form and email it Thrive@fairfieldandcolneis.co.uk or if you would like to discuss this in more detail to learn more, please call Carolyn Shaw or Dawn Piper.
Thrive FAQs
Once it has been agreed for a child to take part in either a small group or individual session, the Thrive Practitioner along with the child’s class teacher will complete an assessment from which an Action Plan of activities and skills to be developed will be created.
The Thrive Practitioner will work with a child and continue to assess their progress in an ongoing manner.
The Thrive Team is happy to meet with parents/carers to create a ‘Home Action Plan’ if this is requested.
The Thrive Team will create an individualised plan for your child which they will work to in order to support your child to develop new social and emotional skills. This will include playing, arts and crafts, sandtray activities, being outside, puppet work and much more.
All sessions are based in the understanding of a strong and safe relationship with the child at the centre of the activities.
Sessions take place within the school day, and last for approximately 30 minutes per week
Although your child is likely to be upset as the sessions have ended as they have been having such a great time, it is also great news as they have reached a stage where they are able to manage their emotions more themselves.
They will continue to be able to speak to the Thrive Team whenever they feel that life is becoming tricky, but they will be supported everyday by their Teacher and TA. They will continue to develop their social and emotional skills along with their classmates in their weekly PSHE lessons.
If you have any concerns, please raise them with your child’s teacher in the first instance.
If you are worried that your child’s behaviour is out of character, perhaps they are becoming upset more easily, they are having more angry outbursts, they are not sleeping well or seem more worried than normal please let us know. Talk to your child’s class teacher as soon as you become aware that this change in behaviour is not going away. Your teacher will then find the best way to support you and your child.
We are proud to have a team of Thrive Practitioners who work at both schools. Please take a look at ‘Meet the Team’ section and meet the team. They have a wealth of experience and are here to support you and your child.
We recognise that lunchtimes can often be a challenging time for some children. WIth this in mind we invite children to attend themed days to support them in areas which have be recognised by school staff or parents.
Club themes maybe around ‘Friendships’, ‘Yoga and being calm’ or ‘Social Skills.’ Whilst a child will be invited to attend, they will not be forced to come along as it is their choice- they may prefer to play with friends.
Family THRIVE Resources
Family THRIVE Expression of Interest
THRIVE Rooms Gallery
Fairfield Thrive Room
Useful Resources
An easy introduction into mindfulness for children up to 11, this especially focuses on getting ready to sleep
A short film to support children who may have experienced bereavement
The Magic Shell guided meditation to help soothe and calm busy minds
Your Secret Treehouse -guided mediation to soothe busy minds and bodies
Spaceship to the Moon- Guided meditation to take you to the stars!
A short video which will help to explain to your child about their thoughts, how they pop up like bubbles. How we can learn to let them float by without them becoming a worry
WHY DO WE LOSE CONTROL OF OUR EMOTIONS- a great video to explain why we have emotions and how are brain works
PARTLY CLOUDY- a video to watch together and see how many emotions you can spot, maybe have a chat about why they felt them
THE PRESENT- a video that looks at being different, being accepted and those strong feelings of anger, disgust and acceptance
LIFTED- a great Pixar short film to enjoy together
BOUNDIN- A short film about accepting who you are
THE COLOUR MONSTER STORY- a story to explain about all our emotions and how they can get jumbled up
THE DAY THE CRAYONS QUIT– A story about having to do something when you don’t want to.
There are lots more videos on YouTube to cover all different emotions is there is something in particular you would like to watch with your child.
Here are some ideas that should be quite easy to do at home and do not need too many craft items- lots of these will be things that you did (or may still do) with your children before they started school.
Making and playing together is really important, it is a great way for your child to experience different senses and then think about times they might feel like this linked to their emotions (for example a spiky pine cone- they might feel spiky as they start to get annoyed).
Slime making – we know it’s messy but kids really love it!
Baking – this is a great activity to do together, it’s sensory, plus you all get to enjoy what you have made and your child will enjoy the feeling of success/independence throughout the experience as they improve their skills
Calm down jars/bottle – these are fun and cheap to make and are a great tool to support anxious or nervous children, or if you really need to support your child to find some calm quiet time. We like using old drinks bottles and gluing the lid on so it doesn’t all come out!
Junk modelling – robots, cars, unicorns etc. Use up all your old recycling, add some paint and see where your imaginations can take you!
Paper mache projects – these need a little more time to make, but they can be something simple and quick, or make masks and then have fun acting together or even make an ornament to keep to remember the fun time
I Spy – time together to look and notice what is around. Whether you are in the car or just filling time, a great game to help refocus if your child has started to become overwhelmed or a little wild.
Treasure hunts/ Den building, indoors or outside – these are great to develop that curiosity, to get hands on in nature. Once you have built something, they can become a safe cosy play to read a book or have some quiet chill out time. If you are outside, try using the 5 senses and practise grounding ( a brilliant tool for adults and children when our thoughts start to runaway with us).
Bracelet making – you don’t need a special kit, have a look around and see what you have to make a bracelet- don’t forget your pasta in the cupboard!
Painting projects – massive sheets of paper on the floor, or a small sheet on the table. This is fun to do, or a chance to ask your child to paint a feeling and see what they make. Remember if you are painting feelings, give it a go too.
Make a film, editing/photo taking – take those photos on a phone and tell a story, practise making funny faces, or record a family pet. Enjoy what you have made together.
Guided meditation – a fantastic skills for us all, there are brilliant videos on YouTube. This can help for getting to sleep, or if you have a child who finds it hard to switch their thoughts off. Drift off to another place and learn to let your thoughts just drift by and not have to do anything with them.
For more ideas as well as many others here are some of our favourite and tested websites HAVE FUN!
pinterest.co.uk millions of ideas of everything you can think of!
theimaginationtree.com arts, crafts and projects
goodtoknow.co.uk/family/things-to-do-with-kid art & craft and activities
workingmums.co.uk art & craft ideas
gonoodle.com meditation and yoga, healthy movement
artfulparent.com arts & crafts
happinessishomemade.net arts & crafts
livescience.com fun science experiments
shambhala.com/sittingstilllikeafrog/ simple mindfulness for calming children, supporting sleep and managing worries
https://www.expressiveartworkshops.com/expressive-art-resources/100-art-therapy-exercises/ using arts to express how we are feeling, lots of free ideas
https://www.kimochis.com/ a fun website with characters for different emotions as well as lots of fun printables
heysigmund.com/anxiety-in-children-10-practical-strategies-to-help-kids-manage-perfectionism
childmind.org/article/what-to-do-and-not-do-when-children-are-anxious
thesource.me.uk/health/mental-health-and-wellbeing
As we find more articles and website we will keep adding them onto here, so keep an eye out!