Early Years In Action - Personal, Social and Emotional Development

The focus of thisTeachers TV programme, made shortly after the 7 July London bombings, is dealing with uncomfortable feelings. Teachers introduce reception children to a persona doll, taking on the role of a child who was in central London on the day of the bombings. This helps the children find strategies for dealing with and giving voice to feelings which they might have experienced in the same situation. Hotseating introduces children to people in the helping professions. Children ask questions and then take turns taking a role themselves while their class mates ask them questions in that same role. Role-playing in a hospital setting helps the children deal with any feelings which might arise in a more every day, domestic situation. In a painting session the children explore their feelings in a self-directed context.