Page 9 - Course 4 Strengths & Skills.
P. 9
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,
yet. Our focus should be to help the child find helpful ways to use their strengths. 5
