This week MAST had the pleasure of supporting staff development at The Ted Wragg Trust by offering a range of training opportunities for staff to sign up to as part of their Investment Week.
Around 100 members of school staff from a wide range of settings attended our Introduction to Emotional Logic session.
What is Emotional Logic?
Emotional Logic is a personal development tool used by people of all ages to improve emotional intelligence in difficult situations. It helps makes sense of our unpleasant emotions. People can then harness that emotional energy to face life’s challenges, build emotional resilience and embrace change.
Where did it come from and how is it used in schools?
Emotional Logic was developed by a Devon doctor in the 1990s and is now used across the globe in a wide range of settings with children from as young as 5 years old. In schools in the UK it is particularly popular with children in Key Stages 2-4. Schools can buy in qualified Emotional Logic coaches to work with children and their families or they can train their own staff to do this as part of their pastoral role in school. Children can then be taught to untangle life’s problems and plan for the future. It enables children to grow in confidence and develop greater emotional intelligence and empathy.
Children learn to use the Stepping Stone cards to show their safe adults how they are feeling.
Each of these cards represents a step in the process of grieving. Grief isn’t just for bereavement. We grieve whenever we have losses. For example, loss of a friendship may result in secondary losses such as not knowing who to play with at breaktime, not feeling part of a group or who to ask for help if a problem arises. It may make us feel angry, worried or sad, often all at the same time! Children learn about this Health Adjustment Process and that each of the emotions represented by the cards has a useful purpose. If we can recognise this and use each step for its in-built useful purpose, we can use it to help us win back some of our losses and move forward.
What do schools say about the impact of Emotional Logic?
Feedback from schools, children and families is very positive and the demand for Emotional Logic teaching and support has grown significantly in the last five years. Following our support, schools often report:
- an improvement in pupil behaviour
- a greater engagement with learning
- improved attendance
- improved relationships with staff and peers
- increased confidence
- improved ability to manage their anxiety
How can we help you?
If you already subscribe to MAST, you can request Emotional Logic support for your pupils or their families as part of your current provision. We can also provide accredited training for staff and parents for an additional cost. If you have any questions please call me on 07854120286 or contact me via email at cstirling@plpcic.co.uk
