Throughout the school year, we focus on a variety of life skills to give the children the tools and strategies to cope with the challenges they may face in their education and life. These skills are developed throughout their school life at both TSK and BSK.
We have not had face to face learning for over a year now and we have been in lockdown for most of that time. Resilience has definitely been a key skill of ours to get us through such challenging times. Teachers have had to adapt to a Virtual School Experience (VSE). The live sessions have been instrumental in getting us to engage with the children and secure those relationships that are key for progress in Early Years. They have also been a great way to encourage interaction between students too.
However, teachers have been placed in a vulnerable position. They have been on show, having to try out new teaching strategies in front of all the children, parents and carers. They have a wider audience at all times. Lots of worried and questions going around in their heads... will the parents like what we teach? What if the internet goes down? What if the children do not understand what I am trying to teach?"
Of course; a year down the line, and we are more confident and experienced in the VSE, and the journey has been a successful one. The teachers have shown determination and resilience throughout this time.
Not being afraid to try new things, adapting and being flexible when things do not work. Having a positive mindset, and to saying to themselves "I think I can... I think I can..." and moving on to "I know I can...I can....I did". Or even when things do not go as we expected, to bounce back in a positive way.
As adults, we have mainly developed our resilience from life experience, and that is what we want to replicate with our children within our school. Seeing adults doing the same, so they know it is normal. Allowing them to take risks in their learning, make their own decisions, encouraging them to try out new experiences. Getting things wrong sometimes, making mistakes and learning from them. Experiencing it all within a safe and secure space.
We have shared stories to send a clear message to the children and their parents. To give them some tips on how to keep trying. Our recent story was "The Little Engine that could" which focused on the words "I think I can...I think I can".
We want our children to be fully prepared for the challenges they may be faced with in the future. In the midst of a pandemic, with all the challenges we have been faced with in the last 12 months, we realise even more so, how important it is for us to help the children develop their resilience for the future.
When we are back on campus, we can help the children bounce back and recover!