As a parent or educator, the temptation to ‘fix’ problems for children can be overwhelming, especially during uncertain times. However, we believe in helping children to work through their problems to develop coping strategies themselves, and so our bespoke coaching programme for pupils was created.
As a school, we foster positive mental fitness and the foundation of all initiatives is communication. Even adults find it hard not to bottle up emotions, but we know too well the damage this can cause and so encouraging our children to speak about their feelings and develop a toolkit for processing them is crucial. Sometimes it can be difficult to open up to adults and so our peer-to-peer S.T.I.C.K.Y coaching method equips children with the interpersonal skills to develop their questioning and listening to become confident, considerate communicators, able to reflect on thoughts and feelings within a safe space.
We all know how important it is to feel heard and truly understood. There will always be bumps in the road but it is how we learn to navigate these which informs our future. Our S.T.I.C.K.Y method allows pupils the time and space to process their problems and let out any feelings they may be holding in.
S.T.I.C.K.Y. trains children to use six key categories to stimulate discussion: Situation (what is happening), Tell me more (details), Impact (on you now and what you hope to achieve), Create (solutions), Keep (choose your path), You (the benefit for you and others). Using a structured coaching question model supports positive growth and self-reflection. Cracking open problems begins with the bubbling of curiosity. The confidence to ask pertinent questions reveals a powerful, yet quiet, respect for the other person and their experience. However, it is arguably the space held between the responses that can be revolutionary, producing an ‘Aha!’ moment. The power of opening up such types of conversations has seen a remarkable development in the communication skills of pupils at Sydenham High Prep.
Pupils tell us how much they enjoy coaching – learning how to really listen, to help others work things out, find their own solution, take responsibility and take action. Children are always eager to help their friends in times of need and offer supportive words of advice. However, it is key that they also talk to themselves as they would their best friend. The introduction of the ‘Inner Coach’ concept has proved powerful in raising the self-belief and confidence of our pupils. Until they can resolve problems themselves, pupils enjoy that coaches “stick with you until the problem is solved”. As one pupil shared: “I feel so much happier after being coached. Now I know how to fix the problem.”
We hope that by honing these vital skills from such a young age, our pupils will be able to build a foundation from which to grow on their journey of both collective and individual wellbeing.
