Pupils
at an inner-city primary school are being offered
aromatherapy foot and hand massages, as well as lavender-soaked
tissues to help reduce stress and aggression.
St Silas Primary School in Toxteth, Liverpool, also
has a converted classroom - called the quiet place
- where pupils are given space to wind down and the
chance to learn how to cope with stressful situations.
During a six to twelve week programme, pupils spend
three sessions a week in the quiet place, where they
are offered massage, learn relaxation techniques,
take part in role play and talk problems over.
"You wouldn't really recognise it as a classroom,"
said Kate Cassim, the school's learning mentor.
"The kids call it the magic place. It's a cross
between a grotto and a fairy den - there a waterfall,
stars, twinkling lights and soothing music."
Lavender-soaked tissues
Mrs Cassim said tissues with drops of lavender essence
on them are given to the pupils so that when they
leave the quiet place, they can recreate its sense
of calm.
"When they feel a tension or an anger build
up inside them, they can whip it out and it brings
them back to a 'nice' place.
"It's about using imagery, but there's also
a strong association with smell."
Boost to learning
Mrs Cassim said the scheme has already had a positive
impact on the school.
"The children are a lot calmer and it's raised
their self-esteem - there's a feel-good factor associated
with the quiet place and a feeling of warmth around
the school.
"So it's good news for our children and good
news for their learning."
It was also about preparing the children how best
to deal with the everyday stresses and strains they
would encounter in adult life, she added.
The school's head teacher, Pete Stephens, said: "Children
do much better if they are happy and contented and
free from anxiety."
"Children do have worries and problems and we
should recognise this.
"We support the educational and emotional needs
of all our children and they achieve so much more
because of it." |
