Page 32 - Course Handbook 2022 2023

What should I practise now?

SKILLS TO PRACTISE / STRENGTHEN RAG

WE MUST PLACE A BIG EMPHASIS ON GETTING BRAIN FIT SO WE SET A CULTURE OF HIGH EXPECTATIONS AND HIGH
SUPPORT

1 Give children practice at noticing their ‘affect’ – both pleasant and unpleasant AND what is behind that
affect – which of the 5C Needs being met or unmet was contributing to that affect?

2 Teach children the different stress responses so they can get good at recognising them in themselves and
others (and then be able to recognise which of the 5Cs are at play so they can stop them getting bigger).

3 Help children to plan ways to meet their 5C needs in helpful ways – and know that some children will need

more than others (as we learned in previous units).

4 Plan daily ways to make sure children get their DOSE (remember some children will need more than others).

5 Help children develop a neural habit of ‘Prep4Best’: predict what might go wrong & prepare for it to go well.

6 Give children the chance to lower the stress levels in their bodies by daily activities which we know lower

cortisol levels (and some children may need short sessions lots of times each day).

7 Teach children Executive Function skills and give them the chance to practise these.

8 Help children plan baby steps in these EF skills and give them time to think about and record their progress.

9 Work with children to decide the best scaffolds and support them to manage whilst they build their skills.

10 ALWAYS plan a Pathway to Independence with the child so they do not become reliant on supports and

scaffolds for too long.
32