PACE
(Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy
(Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy
When working with kids it's important that we are in a position to influence and guide them but without attachment we have no influence. We can use PACE to facilitate this attachment of child to adult. PACE stands for playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy and is the therapeutic stance used by Dr. Daniel Hughes in his work with children. We have adapted it for use at school.
We begin almost all discipline issues with PACE. Playfulness simply means that most problems we deal with at school can be "lightened up". We want to normalize behaviour as much as possible and a more playful approach to the problem helps to accomplish that. We want to accept what the child is telling us about the problem, without the need to lecture them on the inappropriateness of their words. We are curious about what they are saying and how they are feeling. This encourages more talking which inevitably leads to a clearer understanding of what has happened. Finally, we approach all discipline matters with empathy.
We begin almost all discipline issues with PACE. Playfulness simply means that most problems we deal with at school can be "lightened up". We want to normalize behaviour as much as possible and a more playful approach to the problem helps to accomplish that. We want to accept what the child is telling us about the problem, without the need to lecture them on the inappropriateness of their words. We are curious about what they are saying and how they are feeling. This encourages more talking which inevitably leads to a clearer understanding of what has happened. Finally, we approach all discipline matters with empathy.
EXAMPLE
The Power of Attachment:
School Success for Troubled Kids