Free forum to explore child behaviour
Parents can get insights into their children’s behaviour during an interactive discussion next week.
Chefanices Williams, educational therapist at Victor Scott Primary School, is organising the free discussion at the school gymnasium on Tuesday.
She said: “I know parents are their children’s biggest advocates, and this panel will, if you’re on the floor, provide a space where parents can ask questions.”
A panel comprising Stephany Outerbridge, programme manager at the Coalition for the Protection of Children, Frances Dunlap and Trina Davis-Williams, both of Intuition Ltd, and Keisha Allen-Smith, founder of Target Learning, will answer questions and discuss topics including signs that a child may be struggling and when to seek professional support.
Representatives from WindReach, the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute, Metanoia psychological services and Solstice will attend.
Four panellists will address the following questions at Victor Scott Primary School on Tuesday:
1, What are some of the most common behavioural and social-emotional challenges that concern parents and professionals, and how do these challenges typically show up at school versus home?
2, How do difficulties with emotional regulation, such as anxiety, frustration or low self-esteem, impact a child’s learning, focus, behaviour and ability to form healthy peer relationships?
3, How can parents tell the difference between defiance and a child struggling to communicate a need, emotion or skill, and what signs might indicate a child is struggling internally even if they appear quiet or compliant?
4, What strategies are most effective for children who do not respond well to traditional rewards or consequences and how can routines, coping skills and emotional language at home support success at school?
5, When should parents consider additional or professional support, how can schools and families work together more effectively and how can parents care for their own wellbeing while supporting a child with behavioural or emotional challenges?
Ms Williams said each of these organisations “will be invited to briefly introduce themselves and share an overview of their services, though they will not be part of the panel discussion”.
She believes set routines at home have a big impact on children’s school lives.
She said: “Building the habit of ‘this is what we do as this time, this is the expectation that I’m ready for learning, even though it’s hard and I may not like to do it’ makes a difference.
“I think it’s even something as simple as organising their space and teaching them that you don’t put the cereal in the laundry basket; when you’re done with the cereal, it goes back in its place.”
Ms Williams also highlighted how teachers can impact the lives of students, saying: “Teachers are in the class with children, learning about their personalities, their likes and dislikes, learning about their areas of growth.
“It’s very important that we understand how these adults feel and get the information back to the parents rather than the parents just asking off the top of their head what challenges their child has.”
Light refreshments will be served at 5.30pm, with the panel discussion set for 6pm.
Free childcare will be available and raffle prizes, including Rubis gift cards, will be awarded.
Visit Victor Scott School’s Facebook page for more information.
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