Our ELSA Lead is Mrs. Isaacs
ELSA stands for Emotional Literacy Support Assistant. It’s a program designed to help children develop their emotional and social skills in school.
At Blaendulais Primary School, we are proud to have a dedicated practitioner who provides tailored support to our pupils through bespoke sessions each week.
Here’s a clear explanation for parents/carers:
What is ELSA?
- ELSA is a school-based intervention where specially trained teaching assistants work with children who need extra support with their emotional well-being.
- The aim is to help children understand and manage their feelings, build resilience and develop positive relationships.
Why is it important?
- Emotional literacy is the ability to recognise, understand and express emotions appropriately.
- Children who struggle with emotions may find it hard to learn or interact socially. ELSA helps them feel more confident and secure.
What does an ELSA do?
- Works with children individually or in small groups.
- Uses activities like games, stories and discussions to teach skills such as:
- Managing anxiety
- Coping with loss or change
- Building self-esteem
- Improving social skills
- Understanding emotions
How does it help your child?
- Provides a safe space to talk about feelings.
- Builds strategies for handling challenges.
- Supports emotional growth alongside academic learning.
