Individual ELSA sessions often focus on the nervous system and educating and exploring the individual and what it is that they may need to focus on to expand their emotional literacy. These sessions require a prior screener to understand the goal/intention before beginning any sessions.  

What areas does an ELSA help with?

• Loss and bereavement
• Emotional Literacy
• Self-esteem
• Social Skills
• Friendship issues
• Relationships
• Managing strong feelings
• Anxiety and worries
• Bullying
• Conflict
• Emotional Regulation
• Growth Mindset
• Social and therapeutic stories
• Problem solving

A typical ELSA session

There would be a welcome for the learner along with an emotional check-in. How do they feel today?

A warm-up or icebreaker game or activity is played. This part is important because it helps the learner to feel relaxed and it’s fun!

The main activity focuses on helping the learner with their target. The ELSA  reviews what was learnt last time to see if the learner has remembered and if they used the skill taught.

There is a relaxation exercise to help the learner be ready to return to class and a quick review on what the learner  has learnt that session. The ELSA may ask the learner to do something for next time. eg. practise star breathing when feeling angry.

ELSA Reactive Support

Sometimes things happen in life such as a death, divorce, illness, hospital stay, and so on. An ELSA can help the child or young person reactively which means they can support them immediately when things like this happen. Through a strong relationship with the ELSA, the child or young person can feel safe and cared for and know that someone is there for them. Reactive support is very much about active listening which is taught on the  course. It is child or young person led and there aren’t any targets.