Thrive

What is Thrive?

Thrive is a therapeutic and multi-sensory approach to help and support children with their emotional and social development.

The Thrive approach offers practical strategies and techniques and is built around online assessments which identify children’s emotional development and provides action plans for their individual needs.

Research has shown that how we behave is linked to how we feel and our emotions are linked to how we learn. By teaching children to recognise and notice these feelings and emotions it can help with their development and learning.

Children sometimes need some extra support with their emotional growth and this can be temporary or over a longer period of time.

Thrive promotes their emotional and social growth by building positive relationships between a child, their peers and adults. This helps them explore and understand their feelings through various activities but essentially provides a valuable time to talk, listen and be heard.

W ho is the Thrive practitioner?

Mrs Leanne Larner is our Thrive Practitioner. She is an Early Years Practitioner in Acorns and our Forest School lead, but supports staff and children across the whole nursery using the Thrive approach.

Why might my child need Thrive?

Many children experience difficulties during their early years. At The Acorn Nursery School we pride ourselves on recognising those in need in a timely manner and put strategies in place to support the children.

These may include:

Difficulties with friendships,
Finding it hard to settle to activities,
Finding it tricky to share and take turns,

Finding it difficult to focus in large groups,
Being quiet, shy, withdrawn,
Not knowing who to turn to when feelings are too big to manage on their own,
Perhaps there’s been a change in their home/family situation and they just need that extra opportunity.

These situations can lead to many different feelings which may seem overwhelming at times. They may include: anger,  frustration, sadness, loneliness, confusion or anxiety.

All these feelings are all very normal and happen to a lot of children, especially those that are very young or have difficulties verbalising their feelings and emotions. The Thrive sessions are to help children learn to manage their feelings and teach them strategies that will help promote their learning and development.

What will happen during a Thrive session?

The session may be on an individual basis or as part of a small group of children. During each session there will be an activity which may include:

• Circle games
• Arts and crafts
• Sand/foam play
• Movement
• Music
• Relaxation
• Games
• Storytelling
• Songs
• Role play
• Puppet work

These activities all promote safe, healthy, strong relationships with adults and peers. They can help the child grow in confidence and self esteem and provide children with the extra help they sometimes need to improve their social skills and independence for example:

• To join in
• To settle
• To listen
• To concentrate and focus for longer periods of time
• To share and take turns
• To accept losing a game

If you have any concerns or queries regarding your child’s emotional or social well being and development please feel free to speak to either your child’s Key Person or you can contact Leanne directly via email thriveatacorns@gmail.com.