Preston Primary School, East Riding of Yorkshire

Emotional Literacy Support Assistance

Emotional Literacy Support Assitance (ELSA)

What is ELSA?

There will always be children and young people in schools facing life challenges that detract from their ability to engage with learning- our ELSAs in school help children get through these struggling times. Some children require greater support than others and need a range of tools/strategies to increase their emotional literacy and resilience. 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.

We are lucky to have two qualified Emotional Literacy Support Assistants at Preston Primary - Mrs Lees and Miss Atkins. They have been trained by Educational Psychologists to plan and deliver programmes of support for pupils who are experiencing temporary or longer term emotional needs.

The majority of ELSA work in school is delivered on an individual basis, but sometimes small group work is more appropriate, especially in the areas of social and friendship skills. Sessions are based in a calm, welcoming, safe space for the child to feel supported and nurtured. The sessions are fun and we use a range of activities such as: games, role-play with puppets or therapeutic activities such as mindfulness or arts and craft.

In ELSA we aim to provide support for a wide range of emotional needs:

Recognising emotions
Self esteem
Social skills
Friendship skills
Anger management
Loss and bereavement

How does ELSA work?

Children are usually referred for ELSA support by their Class Teacher, Senior Leaders or on occasion by the SENCo. Every half term our ELSAs will meet with Mrs Melhuish to discuss the referral forms, to identify and prioritise which children require a minimum 6 week programme. With the programme aims in mind, they then plan support sessions to develop new skills and coping strategies that allow our children to manage social and emotional demands more effectively.

Supporting - not fixing

Remember, ELSAs are not there to fix children's problems and they are not counsellors. They provide emotional support for children. Our ELSAs aim to establish a warm, respectful relationship with a pupil and provide a reflective space where they are able to share their thoughts and feelings honestly.

It needs to be appreciated that change cannot be achieved rapidly and success is dependent upon the context and complexity of the presenting issues. For children with complex or long-term needs it is unrealistic to expect ELSA intervention to resolve all difficulties, however support will be designed to target specific aspects of the child's needs.

Training and development of ELSAs is an ongoing process at Preston Primary. A great deal of wisdom is required as well in order to recognise when specific issues are beyond the level of expertise of an ELSA. In these cases, school signposts parents/carers via referrals for specialist counselling, play therapy or to CAMHS. The Educational Psychologist that works with our school has regular supervision sessions with our ELSA, and is able to offer advice with complex cases.

Parents Section

Here we aim to signpost you to some different websites and resources which offer help and advice to parents.

Anxiety

Recommended Books:

What to do when you worry too much (A kids guide to overcoming anxiety) by Dawn Huebner is an interactive self help book designed to guide 6-12 year olds and their parents/carers through the cognitive-behavioural techniques most often used in the treatment of generalised anxiety. Engaging, encouraging and easy to follow this book educates, motivates and empowers children to work towards change.

The Huge Bag of Worries by Virginia Ironside explores emotions and wellbeing. Worry follows Jenny in a big blue bag, its around wherever she goes, even when relaxing and watching TV! Will Jenny get the help she needs to get rid of the worry?

Recommended Websites:

Coping Skills for Kids

Self Esteem

Recommended Books:

Giraffe Problems by Jory John. Giraffe is miserably self conscious about something- if you guessed his neck, you are right! It is so long, and no other animal has a neck like his. He’s tried hiding it and disguising it, but it’s no use. Luckily, another animal comes along to help him realize all the awesome things he can do with a long neck— and how unbelievably great he looks in a bow tie.

The OK Book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. This book shows kids and adults alike that it’s ok to simply be “OK.” OK is personified in numerous different ways in this story, depicting an ok climber, skipper and right and left fielder. The story’s gentle but powerful message conveys to all readers that being comfortable with being ok will help you discover excellence, so long as you keep playing and exploring!

Recommended websites:

Family Lives

Anger Management

Recommended Books:

Angry Octopus by Lori Lite is written to help children relate to the angry octopus as the sea child shows him how to take a deep breath, calm down, and manage his anger. Children love to unwind and relax with this fun exercise known as progressive muscular relaxation. This effective stress and anger management technique focuses awareness on various muscle groups and breath to create a complete resting of the mind and body. This is a great little story to help children understand that they are in control of their emotions. It focuses on the ownership of feelings and emotions and taking command of the situation. We use this book in ELSA sessions and is fun and very effective!

Rory Red by Luke Baker - This book uses 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 of 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).

Recommended websites:

Scholastic Parents - Anger Management tips for children

Loss & Bereavement

Recommended Books:

Muddles, Puddles and Sunshine by Diana Crossley. This book offers a structure and an outlet for the many difficult feelings which inevitably follow when someone dies. It aims to help children make sense of their experience by reflecting on the different aspects of their grief, whilst finding a balance between remembering and having fun. This book is a useful companion in the present, and will become an invaluable keepsake in the years to come.