Labyrinths in schools and other educational settings
The use of labyrinths in educational settings is a relatively new development but they are increasing in number across the globe. The labyrinth is a simple and profound tool to use to engage children and young people in their own emotional health and wellbeing.
The issue
Children and young people are under enormous pressure today - our fast-paced society is forcing them to grow at a rate that is counter-productive to their developmental and emotional needs. The pressure to achieve, be popular, please others, and participate in after-school activities and keep up with social media etc., means that they have very little time and space to slow down and experience a calm state of mind. This is evident in the array of emotional and behavioural problems that teachers have to try and manage in the classroom.
Over the last ten years I have run workshops and presented assemblies in many primary and secondary schools - on self-esteem and emotional literacy, emotional health, active listening, peer support, safeguarding, bereavement, eating disorders, sexual health, child abuse, smoking cessation, participation and thinking skills. I have been privileged to witness how the difference in school cultures in regard to emotional health can foster or deplete the health and wellbeing of staff and pupils. I have become increasingly concerned that pressure on teachers and management to achieve 'results' in the face of all the issues that impact on children has led to disengagement and stress/anxiety at every level. We all know that this is an intolerable situation - creating positive change in such a complex system and crowded curriculum can feel like a Herculean task!
How Insight Labyrinth can help schools to safeguard the emotional health and wellbeing of pupils and staff
Providing staff and pupils with an onsite labyrinth (and the training to use it) can turn this situation around - the labyrinth becomes an essential tool in fostering a culture of emotional health and wellbeing for all, and nurtures deeper bonds in the school community.
Children tend to respond immediately to the pattern of the labyrinth. The first impulse is to want to race to the middle and out again as fast as they can, but with facilitation, they can use it for such things as focusing the mind, gaining insight, dealing with grief/loss, problem solving, conflict resolution, building community and celebrating joyful events. Designing and building the labyrinth encourages participation, inclusion and ownership, and there are many ways to use it as a tool to enrich learning experiences and to complement the curriculum.
I facilitate labyrinth workshops for pupils, enabling children to safely explore and gain insight into their thoughts and feelings and discover how to recognise and change their 'state of mind'.
It all starts with the staff
Many of the teachers I have spoken with and trained over the years have repeated the same stories of experiencing stress/anxiety, disengagement, frustration and burn out. Some of these schools were providing emotional health initiatives for pupils but many had forgotten to identify/meet the emotional needs of the staff. Teachers from schools who really invest in developing a culture of emotional health and wellbeing for pupils and staff, did not talk about the same symptoms - they were more creative, hopeful, resilient and still passionate about educating children! Teachers/LSA's who are able to value and safeguard their own emotional health will naturally serve as healthy role models for our children. I create bespoke workshops/training for school staff as well as pupils to best meet the needs of the whole school in the use of the labyrinth.
The Benefits
Labyrinths in schools provide many benefits, they can be used to
The issue
Children and young people are under enormous pressure today - our fast-paced society is forcing them to grow at a rate that is counter-productive to their developmental and emotional needs. The pressure to achieve, be popular, please others, and participate in after-school activities and keep up with social media etc., means that they have very little time and space to slow down and experience a calm state of mind. This is evident in the array of emotional and behavioural problems that teachers have to try and manage in the classroom.
Over the last ten years I have run workshops and presented assemblies in many primary and secondary schools - on self-esteem and emotional literacy, emotional health, active listening, peer support, safeguarding, bereavement, eating disorders, sexual health, child abuse, smoking cessation, participation and thinking skills. I have been privileged to witness how the difference in school cultures in regard to emotional health can foster or deplete the health and wellbeing of staff and pupils. I have become increasingly concerned that pressure on teachers and management to achieve 'results' in the face of all the issues that impact on children has led to disengagement and stress/anxiety at every level. We all know that this is an intolerable situation - creating positive change in such a complex system and crowded curriculum can feel like a Herculean task!
How Insight Labyrinth can help schools to safeguard the emotional health and wellbeing of pupils and staff
Providing staff and pupils with an onsite labyrinth (and the training to use it) can turn this situation around - the labyrinth becomes an essential tool in fostering a culture of emotional health and wellbeing for all, and nurtures deeper bonds in the school community.
Children tend to respond immediately to the pattern of the labyrinth. The first impulse is to want to race to the middle and out again as fast as they can, but with facilitation, they can use it for such things as focusing the mind, gaining insight, dealing with grief/loss, problem solving, conflict resolution, building community and celebrating joyful events. Designing and building the labyrinth encourages participation, inclusion and ownership, and there are many ways to use it as a tool to enrich learning experiences and to complement the curriculum.
I facilitate labyrinth workshops for pupils, enabling children to safely explore and gain insight into their thoughts and feelings and discover how to recognise and change their 'state of mind'.
It all starts with the staff
Many of the teachers I have spoken with and trained over the years have repeated the same stories of experiencing stress/anxiety, disengagement, frustration and burn out. Some of these schools were providing emotional health initiatives for pupils but many had forgotten to identify/meet the emotional needs of the staff. Teachers from schools who really invest in developing a culture of emotional health and wellbeing for pupils and staff, did not talk about the same symptoms - they were more creative, hopeful, resilient and still passionate about educating children! Teachers/LSA's who are able to value and safeguard their own emotional health will naturally serve as healthy role models for our children. I create bespoke workshops/training for school staff as well as pupils to best meet the needs of the whole school in the use of the labyrinth.
The Benefits
Labyrinths in schools provide many benefits, they can be used to
- develop concentration and intuition
- calm the mind (especially before tests/exams)
- relax and exercise the body
- gain insight into thoughts and feelings (supporting emotional literacy programmes)
- foster friendships, peer support and community cohesion
- nurture creativity and expression
- aid conflict resolution
- encourage problem solving
- help deal with loss/bereavement
- celebrate important transitions
- support environmental and sustainable development projects in school
- enhance the curriculum (e.g. history, maths, art, drama, geography, etc)