ELSA
Emotional
Literacy
Support
Assistant
What is emotional literacy?
Emotional literacy is having an understanding and coping with the feelings of ourselves and others. As well as developing high-esteem and positive interactions with others. Schools offer ELSA as being emotionally literate helps children to focus better on their learning.
What is an ELSA?
An ELSA is a specialist teaching assistant with a wealth of experience of working with children. ELSA are trained and regularly supervised by the Educational Psychologists in our Local education authority. An ELSA is a warm and caring person who wants to help your child feel happy in school and to reach their potential educationally. Their aim is to remove the barriers to learning and to have happy children in school and at home.
Please do talk to the class teacher if you have any problems with your child, who will be able to get in touch with the ELSA team.
Our ELSA is Ms Windsor-Grundy
ELSAs can help with
- Recognising emotions
- Loss and bereavement
- Self-esteem
- Social skills and conversation
- Emotions
- Friendship skills
- Relationships
- Anger management
- Coping strategies
- Worries and worrying
- Behaviour
- Anxiety
- Listening skills
- Bullying
- Conflict
- Relaxation techniques
What will children actually do during ELSA sessions?
Sessions are fun and might include role-play, puppets, board games, art and craft, cooking and stories. The sessions include time to talk.
As a parent or carer, how can you help?
By informing the class teacher if there are any issues that may be affecting how your child feels. For example; changes in their family life, friendship problems, bereavement, illness or any other worries.
Thank you to the ELSA support website https://www.elsa-support.co.uk who have made resources available to all.