Observing Children with Attachment Difficulties in School : A Tool for Identifying and Supporting Emotional and Social Difficulties in Children Aged 5-11

Emotional difficulties in children aged 5-11 can display themselves in a range of different behaviours, and it is important for staff in schools to be able to identify and address these problems, and to provide appropriate help. This easy-to-use tool provides an observation checklist which enables staff to identify behavioural patterns in children with social and emotional difficulties, analyse the emotional difficulties underlying these behaviours and establish what kind of help and support the children need. Behavioural responses are categorised within clearly outlined topics, including behaviour, play and relationship with peers, attachment behaviours, emotional state in the classroom and attitude to attendance. Checklists and diagrams identify different 'styles' of relating (secure, avoidant, ambivalent), to help school staff who work with children and their families to respond appropriately to the individual needs of each child. A range of hand-outs include activities designed to provide emotional support, to focus and regulate behaviour and enable the child to develop important social and emotional skills. Suitable for use with children aged 5-11, this tool will be an invaluable resource for teachers, teaching assistants, learning support staff, school counsellors and educational psychologists. Improving Learning through Dynamic Assessment 3 Acknowledgements 9 Section 1: Introduction: How to use this resource 11 1.1 Summary of what is contained in this resource 11 1.2 With what age range of children can this resource be used? 12 1.3 How long does it take to put into practice? 12 1.4 What materials should be used when undertaking the assessment phase of Improving Learning Through Dynamic Assessment? 13 1.5 How are teachers involved in Improving Learning Through Dynamic Assessment? 13 1.6 How long does it typically take to run the intervention programme? 13 1.7 Can this resource be used when doing group work? 14 1.8 What are the optimal conditions for using this resource? 14 1.9 Conclusion 14 Section 2: Theory and Rationale 17 2.1 Why do educational psychologists assess? 17 2.2 Dynamic assessment and formative assessment 18 2.3 Dynamic assessment and empowerment 19 2.4 Dynamic assessment and the perceived advantages of including assistance in an assessment 21 2.5 Dynamic assessment and assessment in education 23 2.6 Conclusion 24 Section 3: Staged Process 27 3.1 Overview 27 3.2 Assessment 28 3.3 Feedback 29 3.4 Intervention 30 3.5 Review 32 3.6 Summary 32 Section 4: Intervention 33 4.1 Bank of Strategies: Cognitive 33 4.2 Bank of Strategies: Affective 61 4.3 INSET training and group work 83 Section 5: Materials 85 5.1 Checklist of Cognitive Learning Principles 87 5.2 Checklist of Affective Learning Principles 88 5.3 Learning Profile for 89 5.4 Child-friendly Cognitive Learning Principles 90 5.5 Child-friendly Affective Learning Principles 95 5.6 Bank of Strategies (cognitive): Resources 98 5.7 Bank of Strategies (affective): Resources 130 Dynamic Assessment 148 Appendix 153 Case study 153 References 159 Improving Learning Through Dynamic Assessment is a practical tool for helping to assess and support children aged 4 with learning challenges based on an innovative approach. Contrasting with traditional 'static' assessment methods, this resource enables educational psychologists and related professionals to involve the child actively in the process of assessment - allowing them to measure not just what the child has learnt, but also how the child learns, how responsive they are to attempts to intevene, and what is holding them back from learning. It outlines the relevant theory and offers a staged assessment process to follow, with strategies for assessing cognitive and affective capacity. The resource contains all you need to carry out dynamic assessment, featuring photocopiable activities, checklists, handouts for teachers/parents to use with children and training materials which explain the approach in terms understandable to all participating adults. The first practical resource on how to carry out this popular and innovative form of assessment, Improving Learning through Dynamic Assessment is an important resource for educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, special educational needs coordinators (SENCOs), specialist support teachers and other professionals working with children with learning challenges. This is a practical tool for helping to assess and support children aged 4+ with learning challenges based on an innovative approach. The resource contains photocopiable activities, checklists, handouts for teachers/parents to use with children and training materials explaining the approach in terms understandable to all participating adults An Observational Tool Designed To Help Structure Observations Of Children Aged 5 - 11 With Attachment Issues In School. Simple Checklists And Diagrams Help To Identify Emotional And Behavioural Problems, And Hand-outs With Activities Are Provided To Provide Emotional Support And Identify Appropriate Interventions.