There has been more focus on academic achievement in the last 30 years as teachers do not have the time to think about the wider aspects of children’s lives.
‘Evidence suggests that children better when their emotional needs are met’ – Emotional Well-being, Gillian Shotton and Sheila Burton.
We know that we can face many challenges in daily life such as relationship difficulties, financial worries or bereavement. And when we are facing these, we are not able to focus as well on daily tasks or learn new skills. So why do we expect our children to focus and learn new skills when they are at school without meeting their emotional needs first.
The focus has moved to more school based interventions now such as ELSA, school counselling, learning mentors etc. despite the lack of time teachers and support staff have in their day.
There is a huge need for early intervention to ease the pressure on teachers, support staff and mental health organisations including the NHS.