Read on Twitter
In what has been a difficult year for so many, this thread is a way of saying thank you to so many fabulous people on the Twittersphere who are passionate advocates for #mentalhealth, #wellbeing, #inclusion, #diversity, #kindness and #SEND.
@DrTinarae has been a beacon of positivity during this difficult year. Her YouTube channel offers lots of practical CPD for school staff ( https://www.youtube.com/c/DrTinaRae/videos) & her most recent publications are available from @Hinton_House http://www.hintonpublishers.com/
@KateHolden_ASC shares such great advice for school staff and parents/carers. I love her sketchnote on how play can be an important buffer for stress.
The curiosity, empathy and kindness shown by @_LisaCherry and @suzannezeedyk have been so supportive to educators throughout the pandemic. I recommend checking out their insightful two part conversation on ACEs -
It’s been great to connect with @P__Y__M. There are lots of interesting blogs on her website. This is a favourite of mine on the principles of de-escalation. https://positiveyoungmind.com/10-de-escalation-techniques-with-social-distancing-in-mind/
@edpsyuk - founded by @edpsydan - has been an outstanding champion for #TwitterEPs, offering a wide range of interesting blogs & being a hub for events & jobs. Check out this recent article from @JenWillsLamacq about talking to children about change. https://edpsy.org.uk/blog/2020/coronavirus-and-christmas-top-tips-for-talking-to-children-about-a-plan-b/
@jw_teach has a fantastic website filled with super blogs and resources for SEND. https://inclusiveteach.com/ His hosting of the #SENexchange chat has also enabled a range of educators to come together and share best practice on a range of issues.
@senresourceblog offers fabulous advice on practical activities and recommendations for books and resources for children with SEND. Check out her fantastic blogs and videos and her recent pack of 24 Festive Activities. https://ko-fi.com/s/479c6bcb84
I always enjoy the blogs and summary pages from @sheilattuned on topics related to emotional regulation, wellbeing and stress. This is a great image she shared on self-care at Christmas.
@naomi_toland has brought together so many educators from around the world with her #Empathetic_Educators chats and other uplifting initiatives. Check out her recent podcasts here - https://www.createeducate.com/podcast.html
It was a privilege to meet @gdmorewood in Carryduff last year, long before we had heard of COVID-19. He provides excellent online training through @studioIII on the LASER programme and the Low Arousal approach. https://www.studio3.org/laser-online
I am continually inspired by the thought-provoking words of @elly_chapple. She is a true champion for inclusion and diversity and encourages us all to #FlipTheNarrative
@psychedmum has been an awesome representative of #TwitterEPs this year. This graphic on #backtoschool tips is just as relevant for January 2021 as it was for August 2020.
If you’re looking to make your book shelf more inclusive, @Hattiesfriends offers a range of story books which promote positive images of diversity and disability. https://hattieandfriends.com/
@suziebooks also provides stories to help children understand and manage a range of situations. https://www.suziebooks.co.uk/
Positivity and wellbeing are the specialty of @musicmind. Her A-Maze-In challenge offers lots of lovely affirmations as we move into the new year.
@ShropshireALT shares my passion for the power of relationships. This quote says it all.
I clearly share many of the same tastes in TV and movies with @actionheroteach and his blogs on classroom management also speak to me. This is a terrific one incorporating quotes from Arnold Schwarzenegger https://www.actionheroteacher.com/post/5-arnie-movie-quotes
It has been a privilege to be connected with @beyondbehaviour, who always offers compassionate advice on a range of educational issues. This is an excellent blog written for @Vivgrant on how the Functional Fluency model can be applied in schools. https://www.integritycoaching.co.uk/blog/transforming-behaviours
@DrAmySuch and the team at @LWP_EdPsychs provided such helpful resources during the first national lockdown. Check out their website for videos, blogs, infographics and upcoming webinars. https://www.learningandwellbeing.org/
This is a lovely article on story-telling and promoting imagination with preschoolers by @Stephen_Kilgour - https://eyfs.info/articles.html/teaching-and-learning/spinning-a-yarn-fuelling-the-imagination-of-our-preschoolers-r322/
I’m always uplifted by @mooby2000’s tweets about diversity, inclusion and gratitude. I really liked this image she shared on #WorldKindnessDay.
The daily “Thought for the Day” from @FelicityDougie is always welcome. Check out her inspiring book “A Tale of Two Dogs and a Bear” and this powerful blog on recovering from trauma - https://www.traumahealingtogether.org/trauma-and-therapy
I’ve really enjoyed reading the daily poems from @BeInspired2Be. I particularly like this one about how it’s ok to feel the way we feel and how we need to be gentle with ourselves after such a difficult year.
I’ve enjoyed taking part in the weekly #EYShare chats run by @EarlyYearsIdeas – a great way to learn from others about supporting children’s needs in the early years. https://twitter.com/EarlyYearsIdeas/status/1279796897218285569?s=20
@Toriaclaire has provided an amazing platform for educators with her #TinyVoiceTuesdayUnites, encouraging others to connect and find their voice. In this link, she provides 5 quick tips for teachers to avoid burnout. https://www.trueeducationpartnerships.com/schools/tips-for-teachers-to-avoid-back-to-school-burnout/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=halfterm
@sch_counsellor offered lots of ideas for relational practice in the return to school – just as relevant to the times ahead as it was in the summer https://www.nicolastewart.org.uk/blog/4593698549/Think-of-the-children---pastoral-considerations-for-the-return-to-school/11450196
I really recommend the podcasts hosted by @timceducation – a great way to tell the story of #TwitterEPs and share thought-provoking perspectives on important issues. https://agentsofhope.buzzsprout.com/993319
I’ve loved reading the blogs from @marymered on “The Boy Who Was Raised As A Dog” and how trauma-informed values can be applied in school https://marymered.com/2020/05/16/towards-a-pastoral-pedagogy-fit-for-the-pandemic-age-a-final-reflection-on-the-boy-who-was-raised-as-a-dog/
I consider @ReachoutASC to be my go-to for books and resources which help to support #autistic students. This is a great article on providing a sensory diet in school. https://reachoutasc.com/what-is-a-sensory-diet-and-how-do-i-implement-one-in-my-busy-classroom/
I’ve really enjoyed reading @SENDMattersUK’s blogs this year. This is a great one on how SENDCOs can regularly engage with parents; so important during the upheaval of the pandemic. https://sendmatters.co.uk/2020/07/06/practical-ways-to-meet-parents-carers-3-times-per-year/
I’ve known @DrMMcMahonEP since our training at @decap_qub and she is a tireless advocate for children’s needs and rights. She shares so many helpful resources, such as this PACE graphic from the NEPS Primary Wellbeing Toolkit.
I’ve been lucky enough to see @dr_treisman live on two occasions and I continue to be inspired by her insightful and hopeful books. I loved her poem in the summer about creating trauma-reducing organisations.
The #DailyDoodle from @kwiens62 never fails to make me smile. Such a talent for conveying powerful messages through art. I love this one about co-regulation.
Sign up to @TheBehaviour101 email list for lots of practical strategies and a free ebook on supporting children with anxiety. https://behaviour101.com/2020/08/30/banking-on-anxiety-free-ebook/
@DECPOfficial have produced a range of excellent resources during the pandemic. This is a great one on using psychological perspectives to support re-engagement and recovery. https://www.bps.org.uk/sites/www.bps.org.uk/files/Policy/Policy%20-%20Files/Back%20to%20school%20-%20using%20psychological%20perspectives%20to%20support%20re-engagement%20and%20recovery.pdf
@WillPsyc provided a great video for BBC Newsround where he answered various questions from young people about life after lockdown. Such lovely advice which normalised a range of feelings & offered practical suggestions about self-care. https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/53429160
@DizzyDoodler’s blog always offers engaging reflections on mental health. This is a great post about supporting teenagers with the lockdown: …https://weneedtotalkaboutchildrensmentalhealth.wordpress.com/2020/03/29/2and-getting-through-lockdown-together-with-teenagers/
The Advent Calendar from @BeaconHouseTeam offers comprehensive and beautifully illustrated resources – both old and new – for understanding and supporting trauma. Their full collection is stunning. https://beaconhouse.org.uk/resources/
@EpsSouthend have an astonishing array of COVID resources on their webpage. Their Reachout channel should be bookmarked in every educator’s browser. https://www.southendlearningnetwork.co.uk/educationalpsychology https://www.youtube.com/c/EducationalPsychologyReachOut/videos
The CPD videos on @CreativeEdu and YouTube series from @PookyH have been incredible. But if there’s one video you need to watch, it’s her amazing daughter Lyra speaking so articulately about school anxiety and avoidance.
There are so many more people on Twitter who have made it such a positive community in these stressful and uncertain times. To all of them, I say thank you. May you have a peaceful and relaxing Christmas and a Happy New Year.
