If I say 'hello and you say 'goodbye! Primary school children dont know that they 'belong in their schools.

Recently conducted research on self esteem by the School of Emotional Literacy at a variety of primary schools though the Midlands and South West has shown that primary school children tend to have a low sense of belonging. 56% of children assessed had that aspect of their self-esteem in the Low or Vulnerable areas of the Self Esteem Indicator. This was compared to 34% who had a low sense of self and 10% who had a low sense of personal power.

The implications of this, according to School principal and psychologist, Elizabeth Morris are that educators need to make very sure that they say a heartfelt ' hello and 'goodbye to the children when they see them. They need to let children know that they are wanted when they are present and missed when they are absent. she said. This aspect of their self esteem tends to keep pupils underachieving because they dont feel emotionally secure. They dont know if people like them or want them there and so they are likely to spend energy they need for learning in worrying or trying to get reassurance instead.

The School of Emotional Literacy runs professional training courses for educators. For more details of the research please phone Rachel Carter, Administrator, on 01452 74 1106 or email principal@schoolofemotional-literacy.com                                                                                                        ENDS
Editors Notes

The School of Emotional Literacy is based in Gloucestershire and works with schools and educational training institutions throughout the UK. The Principal, Elizabeth Morris, specialises in emotional intelligence assessment and emotional literacy training and is a psychologist and educator. She has worked in this field for the last twenty years and has run emotional competence programmes and professional training courses for schools, teachers, parents and children during this time. Her programmes are run in conjunction with the University of Bristol where she lectures in this subject. She is currently working as an external consultant to Southampton Education Services in their city wide mission to become an Emotionally Literate city.
School of Emotional Literacy, Buckholdt House, The Street, Frampton on Severn. Glos.GL2 7ED
Tel: 01452 74 1106:     Fax: 01452 74 1520:     Email: elizabeth@schoolofemotional-literacy.com
www.schoolofemotional-literacy.com