ELSA
Hello and welcome to our school ELSA page!
We are pleased to be able to share information with parents about Emotional Literacy Support. On this page we aim to post ideas and helpful advice on how you can help your child; for example, in areas such as empathy, self-esteem or perhaps to pick up some tips about calming techniques. Parents and carers will be able to find out about recommended books which may be useful and links to other websites for some self-help at home.
What is ELSA?
There will always be children and young people in schools facing life challenges that detract from their ability to engage in learning. Some will require greater support to increase their emotional literacy than others. ELSA is an initiative developed and supported by educational psychologists. It recognises that children learn better and are happier in school if their emotional needs are also addressed.
The majority of ELSA work is delivered on an individual basis, but sometimes small group work is more appropriate, especially in the areas of social and friendship skills. The programme usually runs for 10-12 weeks. The sessions are fun and include activities like role-play, games, reading books, arts and craft and therapeutic activities such as mindfulness. ELSA sessions take place in our ‘The Hive’ classroom, which provides a calm and relaxing space where the children can explore their emotions and feelings in a safe and caring environment, ensuring each child feels supported and nurtured.
What areas does an ELSA help with?
- Recognising emotions
- Anxiety
- Self-esteem
- Social skills
- Anger management
- Loss and bereavement.
How does ELSA work?
If you have any concerns about your child’s emotional wellbeing, please speak to your child’s class teacher who will be able to offer advice and assistance in the first instance.
Children are usually referred to ELSA by their class teacher. However, Mrs Dunne also works closely with Mrs Roberts, our School SENCO to identify children that would benefit from ELSA intervention.
Supporting not fixing
It needs to be appreciated that an ELSA’s job is to support the children not to fix their problems, to provide them with the skills they need which can then be transferred into their school and home life. It also needs to be recognised that change cannot necessarily be achieved rapidly and is dependent upon the complexity of the presenting difficulties.
What is ELSA? Leaflet for parents
Please find below some useful links and suggested books to help your child's emotional wellbeing.
Do you have an anxious child?
A useful link for guidance on helping your child overcome anxiety:
https://copingskillsforkids.com/calming-anxiety
What to do when you worry too much (By Dawn Huebner)
An interactive self-help book which empowers children to work towards change.
Ruby's Worry (Tom Percival)
A lovely story which explains how worries can grow if we don't share them. It's true that a "worry shared is a worry halved"!
Anger is not a negative emotion, we just need to tame it!
Help with those "hot feelings" - suggested books
Ravi's Roar (Tom Percival)
Most of the time, Ravi can control his temper but, one day, he lets out the tiger within. Being a tiger is great fun at first - tigers can do ANYTHING they want! But who wants to play with a growling, roaring, noisy, wild tiger who won't share or play nicely? Ravi is about to discover something very important about expressing his feelings and making amends.
Rory Red (Luke Baker)
Rory Red - This book uses Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) at its core to help younger children understand their angry feelings and make the necessary changes to regulate their emotions. The book was written by Luke Baker, a former ELSA! The book is about The Red family and their youngest member, Rory. Rory Red is very angry all the time. He wants to change but is told by both parents that ‘It is just who you are.’ Rory wants to change, and one day meets a new friend, Yasmine Yellow. Yasmine shows him the way and helps him to understand how he can change.
The book leads the child through the different stages of anger such as triggers: ‘someone being mean to him’, ‘when he can’t go out to play because it is raining’, ‘when he isn’t allowed his dessert’. It takes the child through the physical effects of anger such as breathing heavier, his heart beating harder and faster. It also looks at Rory’s thoughts such as: ‘hit them!’ ‘break something!’ ‘say bad words!’. Yasmine helps him by suggesting different calming techniques to help him cope with his anger.
Delightful, simple illustrations that children will love. The language is simple and easy to understand. This book would be perfect for EYFS and KS1, (possibly even Lower KS2).
Self Esteem
Is your child having problems with self-esteem? This link gives some useful advice to parents:
Sully the Sea Horse (Natalie Pritchard)
A heart-warming, beautifully illustrated rhyming picture book which encourages children to believe in themselves and to be proud of who they are.
Bereavement
Supporting bereaved children and young people http://childbereavementuk.org
Muddles, Puddles and Sunshine (Diana Crossley)
This book offers practical and sensitive support for bereaved children. Beautifully illustrated, it suggests a helpful series of activities and exercises accompanied by the friendly characters of Bee and Bear.
