Wellbeing 

As we manage through another lockdown challenge, it is important to take the time to engage in positive conversations with our children. 

Care Conversations with Students 

Remember that children, friendships and flower gardens reflect the type of care they get. Care conversations are not about adults listening to or talking to students. They are about adults and students listening to and talking to each other. 

They are conversations that lead to: 

• understanding 

• appreciation 

• shared expectations

Some of the care conversation questions below are quite complex and, in the first instance, may be difficult to formulate a response. That’s the point of ‘care conversations’. They are not easy to have. But having had a successful care conversation, both the adult and the child have grown in understanding, appreciation and shared expectations of each other. They are both better for that conversation.

In a care conversation, the adult and the student have discovered something new about themselves, each other, and even a little more about life. 

Care conversations starter questions: 

• What is something I don’t know about you? 

• What do you need me to do more often? 

• Who are the most important people in your life? 

• Who are your heroes or role models? 

• How would I know that you are being successful in what you set out to achieve? 

• In what ways do you learn best? 

• What do you want to learn about? 

• What is the most creative thing you have ever done? 

• What are the signs that you are improving? 

• When was the last time you solved a difficult situation?  

• What is your proudest moment? 

• In what ways do people misunderstand you? 

• What is most important to you in life?  

• Which of your habits serve you well? 

• What are you good at that nobody knows? 

• What inspires you or motivates you? 

Potentially, ‘Care Conversations’ are something we can have with the whole family, friends or colleagues. 

We will grow as individuals when we make the time and effort to hold care conversations.

Michael Searl – Wellbeing Coordinator