Page 34 - Course Handbook 2023

Agreeing expectations with
Unit 10: Getting Brain Clear
Working with children to agree high expectations
children, not doing to children.

WHAT WE KNOW / UNDERSTAND PICTURE PROMPTS

WE CAN HELP CHILDREN LEARN TO KEEP TO EXPECTATIONS BECAUSE THEY WANT TO (THEY HAVE
A GOOD MORAL COMPASS) AND HAVE THE SKILLS TO DO SO (NOT BECAUSE SOMEONE IS
WATCHING OR FOR FEAR OF BEING CAUGHT).

▪ Having tight rules/controlling works well but is transitory & won’t work for every child.

▪ High expectations are crucial: nobody rises to low expectations. However, they must
come with a spirit of understanding and support for those who struggle.

▪ Acknowledging that some children will find it harder is more authentic: we all know the
children who will struggle – before we even start the lesson.

▪ Some children will need more scaffolds and supports to keep to expectations because
they haven’t got the skills yet to manage and find it easy.

▪ Discussing what will help everyone to feel happy, safe and able to be at their best helps
children to develop the skills of empathy and improved flexible thinking.

▪ Discussing expectations together helps children to see the purpose behind them and
achieves better buy-in from children.

▪ Discussing expectations together helps children to feel listened to and feel their ideas
and views count. It helps to meet their 5C Needs!

▪ Prep4Best: giving children a chance to predict what could go wrong (predict 2 prevent)
and plan for things to go right (plan to succeed) gives them a better chance to do well.