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Schoolchildren in Leicester benefit from early-intervention therapy technique Drawing and Talking
Since Rushey Mead Primary School in Leicester discovered Drawing and Talking over two years ago, the teachers trained in the early-intervention therapy technique have seen first-hand the benefits it has had on their pupils.
Drawing and Talking teaches an innovative therapeutic method that helps children who have suffered trauma or who have underlying emotional problems. “By intervening early, children who are showing signs of anxious-avoidant insecure attachment, which may be affecting their learning and behaviour can use Drawing and Talking as a safe and un-invasive therapy technique to heal,” says founder Maria Beagley.
Rushey Mead Primary School in Leicester discovered Drawing and Talking in October 2015 when the head teacher opened an email from the D&T team which ignited enthusiasm for the therapy. Natasha Jackson, the Assistant Head Teacher at Rushey Mead Primary School, who leads the Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) team said: “The therapy method is the most effective way to enable the children to share symbolic drawings and safely talk about them in as little or as much depth as they want”.
“Children need stability, security and consistency and these are all elements that the Drawing and Talking therapy provides; it’s paramount for them to be in an environment where they feel they can express their concerns or worries in a visual form,” she adds. “The weekly sessions have created positive relationships between myself and the children I work with, which means they feel they have a nominated trustworthy person they can turn to in school.”
Since 2015, three other teachers at the school have been trained in the therapy technique, including Karen Sheerin, an Inclusion Manager and part of the senior management team. She comments: “Drawing and Talking is an excellent addition to our portfolio of therapy methods for the children. The relaxed and calm approach is particularly welcomed in what can sometimes be a hectic school day for the children.”
Designed for anyone who works with children, the one-day training course enables an empathetic adult to facilitate 12, 30-minute weekly sessions to individual pupils, during which they draw and talk.
Karen adds: “The Drawing and Talking sessions take place in an area where there are no distractions or restrictions, which makes the child feel safe and secure.”
Since 2014 the company has trained over 17,500 professionals and its technique is being implemented in over 7,000 schools across the UK, helping an estimated 520,000 children. Drawing and Talking is currently hosting training days across the UK while cluster INSET days are also available to book for a group training session. For more information on Drawing and Talking or to find details of an upcoming course nearby, visit drawingandtalking.com.
