TALKABOUT

Developing Self Awareness and

Self Esteem

What is Talkabout?

Talkabout is a practical resource to help teachers develop self awareness and self esteem in children

Created by Alex Kelly a Speech and Language Therapist

Can be a small group intervention or a whole class /school programme

Why do we need to be concerned about social skills?• 46 – 67% of young offenders have poor

communication skills• 40% of children with emotional and

behavioural difficulties have unidentified communication difficulties

• Third of children with speech and language difficulties later develop mental health issues

• Social competence has been demonstrated as critical in predicting success in future life

Being socially unskilled…….you may appear rude, aggressive, shy, awkward, boring, annoying, immature, arrogant, aloof

What is the result? …….People don’t see the real you.Other people react in a way that you didn’t expect or intend. You affected the feelings of others in a negative way. Your self confidence was damaged.

Causes of social skills difficulties……• Autism Spectrum Disorder ( ASD)• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity

Disorder (ADHD)• Learning Difficulties• Communication disorders • Social background or family life• Attachment disorders• Anxiety and mental health issues

Social Skills

Self esteemRelationship skills

There is a link between these 3 skills which are underpinned by self esteem

A hierarchy of social skills, self esteem and relationship skills

Assertiveness

Friendship skills

Verbal Communication

Nonverbal communication (body language)

Self awareness and self esteem

How does Talkabout work?

Step 1 – Assessment and Planning

• 4 point rating scale – never good, not very good, quite good and very good

• Visual representation of areas of strength and needs

• Assessment score can be quantified

Responses from children in our current groups:Why does your friend like you?“Didn’t always like me”“I don’t know”“I don’t know. Probably because I’m funny to him”“Everyone always listens to him, but not me. They always let him pick”“He likes playing with me but not if he’s playing football”“Actually I don’t know!”“Because my Mum let him come over to my house”

3 words to describe you:“ Nice……that’s a hard question”“Curly, smart, I went on a rollercoaster last week”“Good boy, fast…..I don’t know”“Friendly, impatient, I like being imaginary”

Do you like talking to people?“Difficult….so I just keep it in”“ I normally don’t talk to people I just stay on my laptop”“A little bit difficult to talk to a stranger. 3% of strangers are murderers!”

Step 2 - group activities

• 8 topics• Programme lasts a year• Games• Art activities• Practical strategies for dealing with

difficulties

Links to ELSA and the Restorative Approach

• Use of circles• Use of emotion vocabulary and needs

cards

Available resources: