P: 03 9772 4139 e: chelsea.heights.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Chelsea Heights Primary School Newsletter Term 3, Issue 1

Tuesday 14th August

Science Expo Afternoon

3:30-4:30pm

Friday 17th August

Book Week Incursion

Foundation 2019 Transition 1

Mon 20th August

Book Week Parade 9am

Tuesday 21st August

Fathers’ Day Stall 9:30 –4pm

Wed 22nd August

Level 3—6 Athletics

Thurs 23rd August

Foundation Circus Excursion

Sat 25th August

Term 3 Working Bee 9am-1

5th—7th September

Level 4 Camp

Friday 12th October

Art Show 5pm—8pm

Saturday 27th October

School Trivia Night

August 2018

M T W T F S S

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31

International Students: Chelsea Heights Primary is accredited within the International Student Program

in Victoria. To achieve this accreditation we are required to meet the

International Student Quality Standards, ISP. Commencing the beginning of

term 3 we have hosted five short term placements within Levels 1, 2, 4 and 5.

On behalf of the CHPS community I would like to recognise the following

teachers:

Miss Foley, Mr McPhee, Mr Sheill, Mrs Lowe and Mr Duncan for integrating

these students into their classroom. I would also like to thank Miss White for

supporting one of the families by transporting their child to school. Miss White’s

commitment to our school, its students and their families is regularly evidenced

by her willingness to be of support.

These visits have also been a perfect example of bravery and resilience for our

students. The visiting Chinese students were from a different country and

culture, had limited English and knew no one at the school. They had not even

met the other Chinese students before.

Capital Works: In the May newsletter I outlined the process our school would go through prior

to the building commencing. We are currently in the Planning Phase 1. We have

worked with staff and school council to complete the Asset Management Plan

which identifies the focus our works need to take by rating the following design

components within the school:

1. Home Bases, Learning Neighbourhoods and Communities

2. Indoor and Outdoor Learning Environments

3. Specialist Focus Points

4. Accessible Resources

5. Community Orientation

6. Comfort and Safety

Principal Report

Science Expo Afternoon

Book Week Incursion

Book Week Parade

Fathers’ Day Stall

Working Bee

cont…..

Using the above coding system we identified Red: high/major urgency, green: medium / medium urgency,

blue: low / minor urgency.

In the first week of term 3 we were allocated three architects who visited our school and after accessing the

AMP and walking around with Ms Licciardo and myself went away and created submissions. Last week each

team presented a brief to a panel including once again myself and Ms Licciardo, Jules Hogan (Senior Project

Officer, Project Delivery, Victorian School Building Authority) and Bruce Tucker (School Improvement

Directorate from South Eastern Victorian Regional Office).

Guymer Bailey Architects were the successful applicant and we will now move into Planning Phase 2, the Five

Year Plan Development.

I will keep you posted on our progress.

Jane Satchwell

Principal

Principal Report cont….

Scale Description

0 - 1.50 Poor: Asset has failed; is not operational and is not operationally suitable for educational services or normal use. Replacement required.

1.51 - 2.50 Worn: Asset has deteriorated badly; serious structural problems; general appearance is poor with eroded protective coating; elements are broken, services are not performing; significant number of major defects exist. Major repairs required

2.51 - 3.50 Fair: Asset is in average condition; deteriorated surfaces require attention; services are functional, but require attention; backlog maintenance work exists. Repair required

3.51 - 4.50 Good: Asset exhibits superficial wear and tear, minor defects, minor signs of deterioration of surface finishes; no major defects exist; does not require major maintenance. Condition-based maintenance required - Minor Repairs

4.51 - 5.00 Excellent: Asset has no defect; appearance is as new. Only preventative maintenance is required.

Thank you to Kingston City Council for donating 100 seedlings to our school that have been planted. Thank you to Mark Dreyfus, QC and MP and Federal Member for Isaacs who donated 2 lovely matured

Westringa Fuitcosa trees for our school. We look forward to seeing them grow!

Assistant Principal’s Report

Play is the Way Encouraging the whole-hearted pursuit of good

manners

To unify our school community, we ask the CHPS

staff, students, parents and caregivers to encourage

the wholehearted pursuit of good manners. The

modelling and development of good manners makes

an excellent objective for all adults in the school

community. Helping students to understand why

good manners are necessary and ensuring students

know what they look like and sound like, in a broad

range of situations, needs to be pursued with vigour.

Developing exemplary manners is an excellent first

goal of all students participating in the Play Is The

Way Methodology. Everyone in the community

should expect the use of good manners from others

and be willing to act as role models.

Students must see that teachers and other adults are

well mannered to each other and to children.

Trusting that no matter what the circumstances,

mutual respect will manifest in the use of good

manners, helps everyone to feel safe.

The importance of creating a culture of good

manners cannot be overstated. It serves to support

and accelerate the development of socially and

emotionally competent behaviour.

Attitudes to School Survey Each year this state wide instrument measures the

opinions of students in Years 4, 5 and 6 on a wide range

of factors focused on effective teaching practice for

cognitive engagement, teacher-student relations,

learner characteristics and disposition, social

engagement, student safety and experience of bullying.

We are really proud to share with our community that

the figures for the past two years are well above state

wide mean variable scores (average 70%). The results

will be shared with School Council and then publicised

in future school newsletter. Here is a sneak peek:

My teacher expects me to do my best: 98%

My teacher believes I can do well in school: 95%

My teacher cares about how I am feeling: 93%

My teacher helps me to do my best: 97.5%

My teacher sets clear rules for classroom behaviour: 99%

I like this school: 92%

I am happy to be at this school: 93%

I feel safe at this school: 87.5%

There is a teacher or another adult at this school who tells me when I do a good job: 95%

It is very rewarding and affirming for us to see that our

students are so engaged, encouraged, happy and

secure in their learning environment. We look forward

to publishing the results in the following newsletter.

Pia Licciardo

Assistant Principal

2018 SCHOOL TERMS Term 1 - Wed 31st Jan – Thur 29th March (Foundation begin 1st Feb) Term 2 - Tuesday 17th April - Friday 29th June Term 3 - Monday 16th July - Friday 21st Sept Term 4 - Monday 8th Oct - Friday 21st Dec

Curriculum Days: Friday 2nd November

The School Day Start of School Bell: 9am (8:50 doors open

for Students’ Morning Process)

Fruit break: 10am

Morning Recess: 11am to 11.30am

(children eat 10-15 minutes before bell)

Lunch Recess: 1pm—2pm Senior & Middle

1.30pm to 2.30pm Foundation & Junior

End of School Bell: 3.30pm

Curriculum News

Mathematics

Multiplication and division and Fractions and Decimals

are a major focus across most year levels this term.

Students will be engaged in a range of learning tasks

designed to develop a deep understanding of these

concepts.

It is important that students can use different strategies

to solve problems, and understand that certain

strategies will be more effective for particular problems.

Curriculum overviews for each sub-school have gone

home, and these include more detailed mathematics ‘I

can’ statements. Areas of maths like fractions can be

explored at home, through activities like cooking, money

and shopping.

Literacy

This term in writing, students engage in a range of

genres, including persuasive, information and recount.

Ensuring students understand how different text types

are structured is essential, and helps them write

effectively for different purposes. However, equally

important is their understanding of writing at a sentence

and word level.

Our teachers are using ‘mentor texts’, which are high

quality children’s books, to explicitly teach grammar and

help them understand how the author constructed a

particular sentence and why they choose the words they

did.

Students have participated in a range of learning tasks

where they analyse sentences from a text, look at the

words and phrases used, and practise developing their

own sentences using some of the techniques from the

mentor text.

In reading, students will continue to focus on the CAFÉ

strategies: Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency and

Expanding Vocabulary. They will also be focusing on ‘The

Big Three’, which are three areas of reading we have

identified as a priority based on our school data. They

are:

Identifying the Main Idea of a text

Identifying Author’s Purpose

Interpreting Figurative Language

School Visits

Earlier this term Chelsea Heights was visited by 50 school

leaders and teachers from schools within the Catholic

Diocese of Ballarat Education. Over two days they

observed our teachers meeting, discussing data and

planning for student learning. Events such as these

highlight the way our teachers collaborate and their

commitment to improving student learning.

Special Events

This term we have some special events happening to help

celebrate the learning going on at Chelsea Heights PS.

The CBCA Book Week is coming up this term, from 18th

to 24th August. Book Week is a fantastic opportunity to

celebrate quality Australian Children’s Literature. This

year the theme is: Find Your Treasure. Events such as

these are a great way to promote a love of reading and

help expose our students to a range of new literature.

Our teachers have engaged in a professional learning

session around the shortlisted books for this year, and

will be reading these books in class with students.

Students will be involved in a Book Week Incursion

involving some of the shortlisted books on Friday 17th

August, with our whole school dress up day happening

on Monday 20th August.

Looking forward to seeing some great costumes!

This term we will also be celebrating Science, with an

open afternoon being held on Tuesday 14th August. Each

classroom will have an experiment that can be

performed, linked to one of the four areas of science:

Physical, Biological, Chemical and Earth and Space. Should

be a great afternoon!

Bec Garrow

Curriculum Leader

Saturday 25th August

9am - 1pm

What:

Mulching garden beds

Gardening

Shed tidy-up

Removal of compost bin

and large sticks

General maintenance

Bring:

Gloves

Rakes

Shovels

Hats

Water bottles

A raincoat (just in case!)

Morning tea and

sausage sizzle

provided

We look forward to seeing you there,

with whatever time you can spare!

Don’t forget to collect

your free raffle ticket

for your chance to win

a prize!

Working Bee @ CHPS

Staff Carpark

The staff car park is designated for teachers, staff and

school business related visitors. It is also there for

school members that have approved disabled parking

permits. Due to limited spaces, PARENTS AND

GRANDPARENTS ARE NOT TO PARK IN THIS CAR

PARK OR EVEN USE IT AS A DROP OFF ZONE.

Parent Payments 2018

Parent Payments are important in enabling us to

provide the best learning environment for the

children at Chelsea Heights Primary School. Thank you

to the families who have already paid their

contributions. Parent Payments are now due. These

can be paid via QKR! or by calling the office with a

credit card or over the counter. If you are

experiencing financial difficulties please contact our

Business Manager, Anne Leggett, to discuss a

payment plan.

The CSEF (Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund) is

available to Concession Card holders. The government

pays $125 per child if you are eligible. Please let us

know when you want to utilise your CSEF payments

ie. for camps, swimming, excursions or sports.

Late Passes

All students are expected to be at school and ready to

commence the day of learning at 9.00am. If your child

is late for school, that is, the 9am bell has rung and

your child is not in class ready to commence the day’s

programs, parents will need to take the student/s to

the office for a late pass. Monitors will collect

children in Foundation to Level 2 from the office and

children in Level 3 to Level 6 will be given a late pass

that must then be presented to the class teacher.

Please do not accompany your child to their

classroom.

Collecting your Child Early

If you are collecting your child early, report to the

school office, tell office staff the arrangements and

sign-out your child in the Early Leavers Book.

Monitors will bring your child to the office.

Incursion/Excursion Payments

This year, excursions, incursions, swimming and

camps will be on a ‘user-pays’ basis and information

will be sent home before each event with permission

forms available on QKR! We have our Book Week

Incursion for the whole school next week, so this

must be paid by Thursday 9th August in order for

your child to attend.

Student Absences

It is vital that you let the office know (not just the

teacher) when your child does not attend school. The

easiest way to let us know is to SMS our mobile

number 0455 070 159 with your child’s name, grade

and reason for absence. Please let us know before

9am.

NOTE: this is for SMS only and cannot receive calls.

You can also call the school and leave a message on

9772 4139 if the office is not attended.

Parent Contact Details

It is vital we have up to date phone numbers for

families. In emergency situations and if your child is

sick, it is crucial that we can contact you easily. If you

have changed your phone number or your

Emergency Contacts have altered, please either use

the Sentral Parent Portal to update these or send the

school an email

Some Reminders from the Office

Are you missing Tupperware containers?

A theme we have found this year with lost

property, is that unnamed containers continually

find their way there. Unfortunately, these

containers end up being discarded by the end of

term because of their unusable condition. This is a

call out to all parents and kids to label containers

and for children to

make sure they go back

safely into your bags so

they go home in

preparation for

tomorrows recess and

school lunch feast.

We’re very pleased to inform you that our school has implemented a phone app called Updat-ed that will make connecting with you so much more convenient.

To download the app just visit the App Store for iPhones or Google Play for Android’s. Search for Updat-ed and from the menu select our school. We’ll receive your registration request and will need to approve you before your app is up and running.

So what will the app do?

The app’s great for sending out alerts and reminders with one of its best features being the ability to save events directly into your phone’s calendar.

You can access school notices and newsletters, the canteen price list, term dates, curriculum days etc

If you are experiencing difficulty with your app please take a look at our Trouble Shooting Guide. This guide can be found on the sponsor-ed website: www.sponsor-ed.com.au under SUPPORT. Any further queries should be directed to: helpdesk@sponsor-ed.com.au

Please state the following in your email to helpdesk:

Your school

Name and email address

Model phone/tablet

Software version

We hope you enjoy being Updat-ed.

https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiEwraTgszVAhUEUZQKHQ7YC0IQjRwIBw&url=https://www.mumsnet.com/books/world-book-day-costume-ideas&psig=AFQjCNGiPrxZYSoMWoTw3wMUJHixRiNkwQ&ust=1502432169348993

PFA CONTACT

If you have any queries, questions, concerns or

suggestions then please feel free to contact

Mandy Munroe at email address

chps.pfa@gmail.com

Chelsea Heights Primary School

Parents and Friends Association.

Where everyone is welcome.

Disco

Wow, we have kicked off Term 3 with an amazing, fun-

filled, first time Silent Disco ever held at the School on

Friday 4th August. It was a great success with over 330

tickets sold to attend the night. The theme was Black/

White and everyone got into the spirit of it. Kiss was

one costume choice that was a hit for some of the

junior school kids.

A BBQ ran throughout the duration of the Disco, with

Greg Eshman managing a great team to help him cook

and sell sausages in bread, drinks and zooper doopers.

Even though it was a cold, raining windy old night, quite

a few sausages & drinks were sold.

Huge thanks to PFA, Ms Emily White for organising

teachers & extra helpers for the night & other staff.

Outstanding effort from all!

2018 Events

SAVE THE DATE

Tuesday 21st August—Fathers’ Day Stall

Friday 12th October—Art Show

Saturday 27th October—Trivia Night

Friday 16th November - Colour Fun Run

Entertainment Books

Entertainment books are now available online

and from the school office. See link for details.

https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/

orderbooks/184m495

Mandy Munroe

President of PFA

Last term Anne Norman presented a folktale called Omusubi Kororin, ‘Riceball Tumble Tumbling’ to our

Foundation to Level Four students. The story is about a kind old man whose riceball tumbles into a mouse hole.

The grateful mice dance and sing and give him a box of treasure in return. A greedy neighbour hears of his good

fortune and tries to get some treasure from the mice. The ending was left to the students’ imagination. Folktales

were told before books were written and it was retold differently depending on the person or even the village or

district.

Anne used English rhyme with Japanese

vocabulary sprinkled throughout with

explanations. All students had the opportunity

to sing and dance and some played traditional

Japanese instruments. We have been singing

the Making Rice Cakes song that featured in the

performance in class. It is helping us remember

words like ‘’daisuki” 大好き、really like and

“oishii” おいしい delicious. Thank you parents

and guardians for your support with the

incursion.

This term, Foundation students are learning to say and recognise the Japanese words for colours and numbers.

Level One and Two are learning to say “like” and “I don’t like” and level Three and Four are learning to recognise

hiragana script. Please encourage your children to practise what they have learnt at home.

Deanna Wegman

Specialist Teacher Japanese

Digital Technology

When I first began at CHPS only the Senior Classes were working in the Digital Technology Room. I am pleased to

say that has increased to nearly every class across the school.

Teachers are booking times to come over and work on various projects and applications on the iPads to create

engaging lessons and teach our students the key skills in our ever changing digital world.

Foundation

The Foundation students have been visiting every alternate Wednesday and have been learning all about their

“Magic Finger” to interact with the iPads and using their “Mr Thumb” to zoom in and out of the application.

As well as learning these key fine motor skills students have been engaging with the Doceri application. This is a

free app that can be used as a whiteboard replacement and allows students to draw, write and create shapes.

iPad apps Mr J recommends…

Junior

The Junior students have been visiting the Digital Technology room on a Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. With the

students already aware of the basic fine motor skills to use and interact with the iPads, we have focused more on

the application to support units of inquiry.

The students have been working with GarageBand, iMovie, Keynote and Scratch Jnr. It has been exciting to watch

the students grow in confidence and knowledge and apply the concepts learned into class projects.

iPad apps Mr J recommends…

Scratch Jnr Scratch Jnr is a tool to develop the basics of coding for younger students.

Garage Band GarageBand turns your iPad, and iPhone into a collection of Touch Instruments and a full-featured recording studio.

Keynote A powerful presentation tool used to create slideshows.

iMovie iMovie allows you to create your own movie using clips and pictures from your iPad.

Doceri An interactive white-board app with many possible applications

Quick Maths Jr A fun maths app to engage children aged between 3 – 7.

100YAY! A fun maths app to help learn the numbers 1 – 100.

Digital Technology ….cont

Middle

The Middle students have been visiting the Digital Technology room on a Monday and Thursday. With the students

already well engrossed in technology we have been focusing on the finer details of different apps and working

towards more complex goals.

The students have been working with iMovie and Scratch Jnr. I have been blown away with the level of

understanding the students have demonstrated and how advanced their technology skills are at such a young age.

iPad apps Mr J recommends…

Senior

The Senior students have been visiting the Digital Technology room on a Tuesday and Thursday. As part of the

BYOD program, the students are able to use a variety of apps and websites to further develop skills and knowledge

taught in class.

The students have been working with Canva and have started working on The Lost Summer. The skills and attitudes

have been amazing in class and the work we are producing is of a wonderful standard. The key skills this term have

been looking at Cyber Safety and responsible use of technology.

iPad apps Mr J recommends…

Matt Jackson

Learning Specialist – Digital Technology and Science

iMovie iMovie allows you to create your own movie using clips and pictures from your iPad.

Scratch Jnr Scratch Jnr is a tool to develop the basics of coding for younger students.

Canva A photo editor and design app used to create quality poster and infographs.

The Lost Summer A game developed by the Office of the eSafety Commissioner aimed at 11 to 14-year-olds to help teach the social and emotional skills required to optimise positive behaviours online.

Performing Arts It is a new term and time for some new units down in

Performing Arts. Term 3 of the ART Show year is the

term that focuses on Music and building some of our

students’ skills in music appreciation and history,

Percussion and Music Principles ( beat, tempo, pitch,

dynamics, and rhythm).

Foundation and Level 1 are being introduced to the

principles of music, with the focus on beat, tempo,

rhythm.

Level 2 are progressing from their last unit on music

and building on the principles, reintroducing them

through different music mediums like Rock, Rap, Pop

and Percussion music. It was great to see some of the

Level 2 students dressed as KISS band members at the

recent disco. I really enjoy introducing some of these

classic songs to a new generation.

Levels 3 & 4 are also busy refreshing their knowledge of

the music principles and hopefully will be able to apply

this knowledge when they write their own rap song and

use Garage Band or Launchpad to make the beats and

backing track! Who knows maybe we have our very next

Dr Dre. at Chelsea Heights!

I have created a brand new unit for the Senior school

this term to really cater for their interests and to let

their voices be heard (so to speak). The unit is called

Music, Movement and Monologues and links back to the

Narrative part of the Literacy curriculum. Students have

to tell a story through a song, a piece of choreographed

movement (not standard hip hop dance) or a monologue

(piece of individualised dialogue often addressed to the

audience or another character). It is going to be an

exciting unit that offers the choice of performance as

well as the style in which it is presented. All students’

performance preferences are catered for, including

being filmed and viewed by me only, viewed by the class

or the whole school. They can also present their piece

live in front of just me, the class, the year or the school.

It is completely up to the students on how they present

it. How exciting! A new challenge for the Level 5 & 6

students and a great way to prepare the Level 5 students

for the production next year.

Speaking of that, hopefully next Newsletter I will be able

to let you know the dates for the shows (yes shows!)

next year so that we can

all SAVE THE DATE now.

A hint as to the story

theme………………….

Lauren Heazlewood

Performing Arts Teacher

Junior Rockers operates at

Chelsea Height Primary School

This year’s Art Show will be held in the Green Zone on

Friday 12th October 5pm -8pm

Entry for each family is $25

This price includes 2 pieces of artwork for each child, one mounted piece of work and one 3D piece.

Participate in an art workshop, decorate shortbread or take time to investigate our other arty activities.

On the night you will have the chance to bid in the silent auction for one of the year level canvases worked on by all the children in that level, as well as many other fabulous goodies donated by the local community.

Enter the raffle for your chance to win some fantastic prizes also donated.

Feeling hungry? Then stop by to pick up some delicious refreshments arranged by our wonderful Parent Club

Come and help celebrate the amazing artists of

Chelsea Heights Primary School.

Art Show - 2018

The Art Show is our major fundraiser for the year and we look forward to you participating in this whole school event!

Welcome to Term 3 everyone!

BOOK CLUB

This term we are trialling a new book club supplier: Redgum Book Club. Our first catalogue has been distributed to all families and orders are coming in, families are able to order books from Redgum at any time of year and have the books delivered to home! We have had a few orders come in already and look forward to receiving them soon. For information on Redgum book club please go to www.redgumbookclub.com.au.

BOOK WEEK

It is time to dust off the Book Week costumes! Book Week is 18th – 24th August and the theme is “Find Your Treasure”. We have a copy of lots of shortlisted books for all to borrow, all with beautiful illustrations and a real joy to read. There will be the Annual Parade so students can come dressed as their favourite book or character. I look forward to seeing you all there.

NEW BOOKS

We have had many new arrivals this term, one book I highly recommend for footy fans is Alex Rance’s Tiger’s Roar it is a lovely story of resilience, determination and team work.

Now if you liked the movie you will love the book! For Star Wars fans who want to find out more about Han Solo I recommend Han on the run a Solo Star Wars Story.

David Walliams is still as popular as ever and we now have a copy of The World’s Worst Children 3 which comes with a warning of the WORST children ever! With character names such as Boastful Barnabus, Kung Fu Kylie and Walter the Wasp. I cannot wait to read that one!

So for those and other awesome new titles come into the library and if you cannot find them, ask to reserve a copy and I look forward to hearing what you think of them!

That’s it from me for now, remember to check out the new book club and work out your book week costume..

Kym Allsep

Library

Library

Physical Education

Kingston Division Netball Finals

On Monday, 30th July the Mixed Netball Team

competed at the Kingston Division Netball Finals at

Springers Leisure Centre. The team played extremely

hard on the day and showed lots of encouragement

and positive attitudes throughout the day. What a

great achievement to make it this far, all of you should

extremely proud of your efforts. The team played

three games and the team with the best record would

go on to compete at Regionals. Unfortunately a couple

of the other teams were just too good on the day.

Game 1 CHPS 7 Beaumauris North 20

Game 2 CHPS 3 Tucker Rd. PS 17

Game 3 CHPS 19 Mordialloc Beach 18

Travis Stevenson

Physical Education Teacher

Chelsea & Patterson District Girls Football

On Monday, 25th June, the CHPS Girls Football Team

played a round robin competition at Roy Dore

Reserve. The girls competed extremely hard and

had a great experience playing footy against the

other local schools. The girls were competitive but

unfortunately just came up short on the day with

two wins and four losses. It was great to see such

team spirt and encouragement from the girls, way

to go!!

Game 1 CHPS 30 St.Louis (B) 17

Game 2 CHPS 8 Aspendale 18

Game 3 CHPS 0 St.Louis (A) 27

Game 4 CHPS 27 Bonbeach 12

Game 5 CHPS 8 St.Joseph’s 15

Game 6 CHPS 6 Aspendale Gardens 35

Play is the Way - Reasons For The Things You Say And Do

By Wilson McCaskill

Of all the Life Raft concepts none troubles some parents and teachers more than the one inscribed on the

blue poster. Namely: If you don’t know why you’re doing something then don’t do it because it’s most likely

wrong. Have reasons for the things you say and do.

Accepting that we want children to be the masters, not the victims of their feelings, this concept asks children

to think before doing and to be rational and responsible in word and deed. “It is reason that makes a child

responsible, and responsible children find many reasons to do the right thing.” Invariably, when children

behave in a way that contradicts expected codes of conduct the questions asked of them are, “What are you

doing and why are you doing it?”

But too often the answer is, “I don’t know”. Asking young children to find the reasons for their behaviour can

be difficult, however here are some tips to facilitate a conversation and seize on those teachable moments.

1. Do not expect an immediate answer. Sit in the silence that immediately follows a child’s initial response of,

“I don’t know.” Then ask caringly if the child would like to find out.

2. Avoid tones of upset and judgment and instead adopt those of curiosity and concern. Propose possibilities

and say things like; Do you think…, Were you feeling…, Maybe you thought…, Perhaps it was because…,

Tell me what happened just before…, Take a little time to think…, Maybe there is another reason., I’m not

sure I understand..., Try telling me again., You mean you…, So, you were feeling upset and that’s why you…

3. Be comfortable with the emotional discomfort that frequently accompanies a child’s attempts at self-

understanding. Trust that the child would find the subject of him or herself interesting and that a deeper

connection with the child was being forged by the mutual attempt to understand and be understood.

“Behaviour is only the surface phenomenon. What matters is the person who behaves and why she or he

does so.”

4. Dissect appropriate behaviour, as opposed to inappropriate behaviour.

Here is a scenario between a teacher and student

T = Teacher. J = John

T: Can you tell me John, why you’re not sitting with the rest of us and waiting for the bus?

J: Because I don’t want to.

T: We know that “want” is a feelings word, so we know your feelings are saying, “Don’t sit with the others.”

Can you work out why your feelings would be saying that to you?

J: No.

T: Not easy I know but I would like to help you try. Would that be all right? (John, nods) A little while ago you

were sitting on the grass next to Emma. Do you remember? What were the two of you doing?

cont….

J: We were playing with her pony.

T: Her new one. She showed it to me this morning. It is another one for her collection of farm animals. It is a

present form her grandma and right now it is her favourite. Did you enjoy playing with it? (John, nods) So you

were enjoying yourself and enjoying being with Emma and now you are over here and looking upset and alone.

Something must have happened?

J: Lisa wanted to play with the pony and Emma gave it to her.

T: And this upset you? (John, nods) Did you want to play with the pony for longer? (John, nods) Did you ask Em-

ma if you could keep playing with it (John nods again) And?

J: She said, “No” and gave it to Lisa.

T: I can see why that might upset you but we must remember whose toy it is and have a little think about what

you might do if the toy was yours. (A pause) If it was yours, do you think it would be all right for you to take it

from one person and give to another?

J: (A little too quickly) Yes, but Emma snatched it from me and that’s rude.

T: Oh! Now, I’m a little confused. Are you upset because Emma gave the pony to Lisa or because she snatched

it from you?

J: (Thinking hard) Because she snatched it.

T: And even though you wanted to play with the pony for longer, you would have been all right giving it to Lisa

if Emma hadn’t snatched it? (John, nods) When someone snatches something from you it can make you think

they don’t care about you. And that can make you feel small and upset. Is that how you felt? (John, nods) And

is that why you walked away? (John, nods) Tell me, when you came over here were you hoping a teacher

would notice and come to speak to you, or were you hoping Emma would feel bad and give the pony back to

you. (John, thinks hard. A significant amount of time passes without John or the teacher saying anything. He is

obviously unsure.) It can be really hard to find the reasons why we do things but really important and good for

us to try. Thank you for thinking through this moment with me but now we must do what is safest for you and

the group as we wait for the bus. And that is for all of us to stay together. So, please give me one really good

reason, even if you are still upset, for joining the group?

J: It is safer.

T: And the reason that it is safer, please?

J: Because you and the other teachers know where everyone is and they are safe.

T: Correct. Now, who will you sit with when we get back to the group?

J: Emma and Lisa.

T: That’s interesting. Reasons, please?

J: Because Emma might let me play with her pony again. (John, thinks) She didn’t snatch it. I just said that be-

cause I didn’t like giving it back.

T: Thank you for telling me. You have just had a big blue poster moment and that makes you and all of us much

safer. It’s good to know why we do things isn’t it? (John, nods)

“Teach children to think, reason and analyse because in the course of daily living the question asked most

frequently is, what is the right thing to do? The answer invariably is, it depends.”

Reasons For The Things You Say And Do ….continued

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