Social and Emotional Needs
We have a range of services in school to support pupils with their SEMH needs.
Social
It is really important to us that children develop positive relationships.
Many different skills fall under the umbrella of social skills, including:
- Understanding social rules
- Understanding and using correct body language
- Using appropriate language
- Using empathy to understand the world from someone else’s point of view
- Understanding and using appropriate tone of voice and volume when communicating
Emotional
Hand Model of the Brain
When we become very upset, anxious, or angry it can be very difficult to process what someone is saying to us, understand our emotions, and think clearly. When this happens, we have ‘flipped our lid’!
What happens when we 'flip our lid'?
A simple way of explaining what happens when we ‘flip our lid’ is through the Hand Brain Model by Dan Siegal. We are going to demonstrate Dan Siegal's hand brain model to help you recognise what is happening to your child’s brain (and yours too) when they are dysregulated (i.e. very upset, angry, or anxious). You can use this model to help your child understand what is going on in their brain during these moments.
Here are some YouTube clips that may be useful for you to watch about this model.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CpRY9-MIHA&t=72
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTnCMxEnnv8
When these two parts work together, we can think and act logically and calmly. However, when we become dysregulated and our 'lid flips' (fingers uncover the thumb), the ‘downstairs brain’ regions are working alone and acting on pure emotions to protect and keep us safe. Without the ‘upstairs brain’ helping to make good decisions or problem solve, the ‘downstairs brain’ moves quickly into the protective fight, flight or freeze modes.
Some children ‘flip their lid’ multiple times throughout the day, and some may be able to hold on during day (e.g. in school) but then ‘flip their lid’ when they get home. The triggers for your child 'flipping their lid' may be obvious e.g. new situations, loud noises, or they could be something that isn't so obvious e.g. smell, a memory etc.
What to do in the moment?
1. The first step is to reflect on how you and your child are feeling. It can be easy in these moments to become dysregulated (upset) ourselves. We are all human and ‘flipped lid’ behaviours can be very challenging.
2. Take a moment to regulate and calm yourself. Look at the regulation strategies for tips on how to do this and ensure your ‘lid is on’ so that you can respond calmly. https://cavuhb.nhs.wales/files/resilience-project/parent-group-resources/5-regulating-our-bodies-parents-english-pdf/
3. You might need to take some time for yourself, and that is ok. If you are unable to walk away from the situation, due to your child needing you to keep them safe, you can verbalise your feelings e.g. 'I am feeling very overwhelmed, so I am going to take some deep breaths to help me calm down.' You can ask them to do this with you.
4. By responding calmly in these situations you will be modelling the behaviour to your child. During this time the tone of your voice is very important. Children can become more dysregulated when adults use aggressive or loud tones. A calm, sing-song voice that matches their intensity will help you to slowly bring them down to your calmness level.
5. Use PACE (go to PACE resource for examples). https://cavuhb.nhs.wales/files/resilience-project/parent-group-resources/4-pace-parents-english-pdf/
Use Zones of Regulation. Please find more information on our website.
Support for Social and Emotional Needs:
- If you have any concerns, then please talk to your class teacher
- The Mental Health Lead within the Orchard View, whilst operating at Kingsbrook View site, is Richard Jackson
Family support service can help when parents/carers are struggling with children’s social and emotional needs at home.
https://familyinfo.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/familysupport/get-help/
At Orchard View, we may also refer your child to get support from Buckinghamshire PRU.
