Greenside Primary School - What's it all about?

What's it all about?

The Learning Link - Parent information

Welcome to Greenside Primary School’s group for nurture, The Learning Link.

Inside there is information about our Learning Link and answers to some of the questions you may have.

Welcome to The Learning Link!

The Learning Link is designed to be a bridge between home and school/nursery; a place where children can feel safe and secure and therefore develop their individual needs further. The Learning Link has a table to share snacks, a lounging area to play games and work collaboratively plus a kitchen to prepare snacks.

What is the purpose of The Learning Link?

To offer children opportunities to re-visit early learning skills and promote their social and emotional development.

Children’s learning is most effective when they have a sense of emotional well being, good self-esteem and a feeling of belonging to their school community.

The Learning Link provides children with this opportunity and so helps to develop their maturity and resilience.

Which children might attend The Learning Link?

Children may attend sessions in Learning Link for specific reasons, for example:

Friendship difficulties – keeping/making friends
Quiet, shy, withdrawn
Find it hard to listen to others or join in
Disruptive towards others
Find it hard to accept losing a game
Find it hard to share and take turns
Find it a bit difficult to settle into class
Bullying
Low self esteem
Difficulty building relationships with adults in school
Bereavement
Family illness or break-up

How will the Learning Link help my child?

The Learning Link will boost confidence and self-esteem and provide children with the extra help sometimes needed to improve social skills and independence.

For example:

To join in
To settle
To listen and concentrate
To share and take turns
To accept losing a game
To build up friendships with their classmates
It gives children a chance and helps to encourage a more positive profile among their peers and members of staff
To be a leader
To initiate and join in conversation

Does this mean my child is naughty?

No! Firstly, there is no such thing as a naughty child - all behaviour is communication.

Secondly, and most importantly, these sessions are meant to help them manage situations and increase their skills to become more successful learners.

What kind of structure is there?

Children follow a strict structure and routine that is clear to both staff and children. This includes group listening and speaking, work tasks, individual and shared play and social skills. The group runs on consistency, routine, positive reinforcement and praise. This is what a typical day looks like:

Relaxation in the lounge (peer massage or quiet reflection)
Check in - discuss and listen to each other’s feelings/how the day has gone
Our place in the world / weather, inc relevant news etc.
Whole group activity-based around either creativity, emotional literacy, group working, sensory exploration.
Independent/paired tasks
Snack - Whole group snack

and discussion time