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Key Messages: Strengths
When a child struggles at home or school, the focus often becomes centred on
difficulties. Too frequently, the content of assessments, discussions and action 1
plans is around the difficulties, with little focus on strengths.
We believe that a focus on strengths is crucial. It increases a child’s self-efficacy
2 (they feel more capable) and in turn improves their sense of self (self-identity).
This will improve their neurobiological ‘Balance of Life’.
We divide strengths into ten categories and have a visual for each area.
Having a structure to think about strengths can help people work out their main 3
areas of strengths more easily.
Children should be given daily opportunities to use and maximise their strengths.
4 Teachers should try to adapt lessons to utilize children’s strengths. Parents /
carers should help their child find local clubs which use their strengths.
It is important to spot strengths, even if the child is not using them in helpful ways, 5
yet. Our focus should be to help the child find helpful ways to use their strengths.
