Page 8 - Course Handbook 2023

Unit 1: Getting Started
What is the best approach for supporting children?
What should I practise now?
What is The Empowerment Approach?

SKILLS TO PRACTISE / STRENGTHEN RAG

1 Be curious, not furious in your tone, words and actions.

2 Help children work out what is stopping them from doing well.

3 Help children to find solutions that are ‘Good for me, good for you, good for

everyone’, rather than trying to control children with bribery (you can have extra

screen time) or threats (if you don’t do it, you won’t have any screen time).

4 Try to keep a focus on skills you want children to learn in the long-term rather than

fixing things for the moment.

For example, it may be quicker to get a child to finish a task by standing over them and
refocusing them the moment their concentration wanders, but if you keep doing it,

they won’t learn the skills to focus and complete tasks on their own – they will

continue to be reliant on an adult. Start with tiny steps forward so that they can feel
successful and don’t forget to plan a Pathway to Independence.

5 Be patient – as we will find out in the Brain Building unit – new brain pathways do not

build overnight – new skills take time. Don’t expect children to do better next time

just because you ‘had a chat’ – it takes practise of skills and lots of rehearsal to

improve.