‘The D.E.N.’ (Delivering Educational Nurture)

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We were delighted to offer a new form of support in Holy Rosary School in our nurture room, ‘The D.E.N.’ This is a short-term programme aimed at helping children who are finding the transition between home and school difficult. Our aim is to offer a range of opportunities for our children:

• the social and emotional skills to do well at school and with peers
• develop their resilience and their capacity to deal more confidently with the trials and tribulations of life and for life.

In ‘The D.E.N.’ we assess the children’s learning and social and emotional needs and give whatever help is needed to remove the barriers to learning. Children who attend ‘The D.E.N.’ remain an active part of their main class group, spending an appropriate time within the nurture group according to their needs. ‘The D.E.N.’ is set up like a home. Each session in the group will incorporate sharing food together throughout which an emphasis is put on social interaction. The children are encouraged to work together through play and engage in group activities which include cooking, baking, art and drafts, games and gardening. They learn social skills and are encouraged to analyse and monitor their own behaviour. The children explore different feelings they may have and are encouraged to think of the feelings of others. Time for meditation and relaxation exercises form an important part of each day.
The support of our school community and the Dominican Ministry Fund made it possible for us to develop ‘The D.E.N.’ We look forward to developing this part of our school in the coming years.