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Circle Time
Our emotions impact our readiness and ability to learn, feeling safe is vital within the school environment. A child who does not feel emotionally safe, valued or listened to, may enter the classroom feeling frustrated, angry, distracted or withdrawn, particularly when attempting to learn a new concept.
Equally a child who has too much on their mind, perhaps they are worried about the argument they saw their Mum and Dad have that morning; or they fell out with a friend yesterday and are worried they may not have anyone to play with at lunchtime; these worries, stressors, or anxieties contribute to children’s inability to engage in their learning.
Creating a safe learning environment is thus crucial to students achieving their full and true potential.
"The Turn a Round Circle Time Programme"
"Building socially and emotionally intelligent young people through the promotion of whole school emotional literacy.
The Turn a Round programme is whole school social, emotional and wellbeing programme which uses an action learning and and emotional literacy approach and teaches communication, coaching and conflict resolution skills. The programme provides for the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of students and supports the goals of Healthy Schools, SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning), Every Child Matters, PHSE and the Primary National Strategy.
The aim is to develop an emotionally safe learning environment, whole school wellbeing, a caring ethos, build empathy, encourage self esteem, help children to become self aware and manage their feelings, develop emotional literacy, positive relationships and resiliency, build communication skills and skills to manage conflict effectively, teach by example, encourage democratic values, pro-social behaviour, self discipline and motivation.
The Programme benefits both adults and children by:
* promoting whole school wellbeing, emotional and social intelligence, emotional literacy and mental health
* developing a whole school approach to enhancing values, based on the 4 R's of - relationships, responsibility, resiliency and respect
* raising self-esteem
* developing thinking skills
* developing communication and social skills
* teaching positive ways to resolve conflict through peaceful problem solving
* providing effective strategies to encourage co-operative, responsible behaviour, pro social behaviour
* helping you develop effective stategies to support troubled and challenging children
* offering insights into the influence of feelings on behaviour
* encouraging self awareness and self management
* encouraging adults to take time to look after themselves
Otago University New Zealand Research Nov 2008
The best thing about Circle Time is:
• ‘how much it helped’
• ‘letting my feelings out’
• ‘we give ideas to each other about how to make friends’
• ‘seeing that you have things in common’
• ‘if you have a problem you can talk about it’
• ‘getting to tell people your problems and they listen’
• ‘sharing somebody else’s problems’
• ‘you can speak out and it won’t go anywhere else’
• "During Circle Time we learn how to help and be respectful of others and how to co-operate with them"
• "I got the chance to talk about things that were really bothering me and I got help and support from my class mates, I feel so much better now like a big weight has been taken off my shoulders"
“ This was a great session and really re-ignited our staff’s enthusiasm for Circle Time. Therese was very proactive in adapting her training to meet the needs of our staff who deliver Circle Time to adolescents with ASD. Everyone engaged with her fun and open approach.” Grateley house School - April 2009
"This is the best PD I have ever done. The day exceeded all expectations; everything was so relevant and down to earth. I feel inspired and uplifted and can’t wait to put all the ideas into practice in my classroom."
Maggie Jefferies Masterton
"I learnt and grew during those 2 days, thank you" Lynda Jenkinson Waerenga- O -Kuri School, Gisborne
"Therese was so positive and knowledgeable, so easy to listen to, calm and exciting at the same time. Loved the games and brain gym" Fiona Low Deputy Principal, Marton School.
"Great style, thank you for catering for our specific needs and goals. " Margaret Stewart Marton.
"Therese modeled a Circle Time to us. She made the children feel comfortable and confident, was relaxed , encouraging and a very skillful questioner, great session. I can't wait to implement it. Thank you for all the good ideas and the encouragement to start". Linda Penfold Clifton School, Bulls.
"Super effective instructions, with great role modelling"
"It was fabulous! The Circle Time demonstration was positive and friendly, demonstrating clearly the stages and strategies utilised in circle time. I apprecaited all the new games I learnt and also watching how empowered the children were." Lori Wyczawsk Clifton School.
"Awesome day, thank you so much. You met all our learning styles, were receptive to the audience, enjoyed our group and became part of it" Julie Rowe. South Makirikiri School
"Fantastic facilitator, very enthusiastic and full of life. Great strategies that will work well in my classroom and will really help me as a beginning teacher" Heather warren, Marton
"Therese was extremely open. We were able to feel relaxed with her approach. She made the children feel valued and confident. Fabulous." J. Whithouse
Therese's Circle Time Project in Masterton schools and it's successes were featured in New Zealand's Education Gazette in June 2006 and as Frazer Mailman from Masterton Intermediate said:
“Circle Time is spreading like a bush fire!”
South Dunedin Cluster of nine Schools - Turn a Round Circle Time Project - 2006 -2009
Comments from Lead Teachers:
Click here to download FREE Circle Time e book
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