‘Good to be me’.
This theme focuses specifically on feelings. It explores feelings in the context of the child as an individual, developing self-awareness and helping the child to realise that it really is ‘Good to be me’.
The theme is about understanding our feelings as well as considering our strengths and weaknesses as learners. It aims to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in three key social and emotional aspects of learning: self-awareness, managing feelings and empathy. The theme focuses on:
- understanding feelings, and why and how they lead us to behave the way we do – excited, proud, surprised, hopeful, disappointed, worried and anxious;
- self-awareness – feeling good about myself, taking risks;
- managing my feelings – relaxing, coping with anxiety;
- standing up for myself – assertiveness, standing up for my views
We think this theme is one of the most important and useful SEAL themes of the year, with outcomes that can contribute to positive health and well-being in years to come. For example, somebody who is assertive and able to stand up for themselves is far less likely to run into problems at high school (think of the pressure people might face with regard issues such as smoking and e-safety).