A comprehensive programme containing 5 modifiable Play Frames and 30 individual Activities to teach and promote self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Booklets available on demand via email £15.00 - pdf format.

 A child who feels safe, given the caring and understanding and support of an adult, will develop a solid sense of self-esteem and self-confidence.

The short plays are intended for groups of children 8 to 11 year olds though can be adapted for any age range.

The approach of the programme is collaborative, informative, and interactive involving trainers and learners in a dynamic learning process. I view the practice of coaching, counselling, and training as an alliance in which both trainer and learner compliment and develop each other following the belief that ‘Teaching is Learning’.

The Coaching Kids work is ‘An Inclusive Coaching Experience’, a follow up to performance adds to the experience, discussing with children first of all, how they felt doing the plays and what comments they have regarding the both the stories and the performance with the other children.

Stemming from the original objective of ‘Acting it Out’, children may be asked:

• What they understood of the story.

• What was the message?

• What is to be learnt from the story?

• Does it remind them of similar episodes which have happened in their lives? 

Outlines for individual character creation.

Acting It Out is a series of short plays for children; they are intended as a self-confidence building tool and medium to promote dialogue amongst children, between child and adult but can be used purely as a pleasurable activity.

To get the best from the series of short plays, it is advisable to read this introduction carefully and given the underlying themes, any work, which goes beyond the surface story, must be carried out in accordance with the author's notes.

Based on stories, the situations are hypothetical they are however, topics, which are unfortunate realities that are part of all our lives. Children already from an early age are confronted with situations, which can be difficult for them to understand and deal with. On this premise, there will be an involvement on a cognitive and emotional level.

The message is that; such situations will be much less preoccupying if they are supported to understand that they can speak openly in a secure environment, therefore, acquiring the skills necessary to deal with and act upon eventual similar situations.

The message to the child is that they have 'Power', and must use this power to decide upon and react in a way they have learned to be right. They learn that keeping things to themselves is not healthy. More importantly, the notion of 'Secrets' is a fundamental part of the work. They learn that 'keeping secrets' and 'having to keep secrets' has a deep and dark side. They learn to understand that they are not obliged and should not be obliged to maintain secrets, and that they can openly confide anything to a parent, teacher or other trustworthy adult who will believe them and not punish them in any way. Help and support to resolve any problem which causing them grief can be worked out, shared, and consequently taken care of.

The message to the adult is that we need to create a relationship with children, promote dialogue and a deeper understanding of themselves and ourselves. Far too often, a blind eye and a deaf ear are turned upon the child for fear of affronting many of our own issues. If such feelings should arise, as responsible adults, it is advisable to seek professional support.

The overall objective is first to develop an emotional awareness of ourselves and subsequently that of the child. The way in which children perceive their reality is not always apparent to an adult, their worries seeming superficial and best 'brushed aside'. From the perspective of the child, such 'worries' can induce a feeling of abandonment, isolation even desperation at times becoming unbearable.

During the activities every child must be participate in some way, either as actors, directors, musicians or carrying out any other chore which will involve them actively. No child should be left in the wings watching, they must be an active member of the group.