Curriculum For Excellence
The new curriculum, which is being introduced throughout Scotland, presents a fantastic opportunity for all those involved in the Massage in Schools programme.
It involves working with children to develop the skills they need to learn, rather than instilling learning.It is concerned with the totality of experiences to make up a flexible curriculum for children and young people aged 3 to 18.
Values
The values underpinning it are wisdom, justice, compassion and integrity.
Four capacities
The 4 capacities it will develop are:
Successful Learners
Responsible citizens
Confident individuals
Effective contributors
Health and Wellbeing is an important part of this curriculum and here are some of the links between the principles and practice and experiences and outcomes and the Massage in Schools programme. For more details please check out www.curriculumforexcellencescotland.gov.uk
Health and Wellbeing: Principles and practice
The Health and Wellbeing framework takes a holistic approach to promoting health. It states that “children and young people should feel happy, safe, respected and included in the school environment and all staff should be proactive in promoting positive behaviour in the classroom, playground and the wider school community.”
It also recognises that “learning through health and wellbeing promotes confidence, independent thinking and positive attitudes and dispositions”.
Another factor in common with MISP is that it advises that all aspects of health and wellbeing should be part of a whole school strategy, to make sure that they have sustained impact.
Health and Wellbeing: Experiences and outcomes
The first outcome listed is that children will develop “self-awareness, self-worth and respect for others”.
It then states that “the mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing of everyone within a learning community should be positively developed by fostering a safe, caring, supportive, purposeful environment that enables the development of relationships based on mutual respect”.
With such direct links between this and the philosophy and approach of the MISP, I’m sure you’ll agree that this is a great opportunity to take the programme further forward in Scotland.