#25 Why creative writing helps children build empathy with Fiona Clark Artwork

Helping Children Smile Again with Amanda Seyderhelm

Whether it's the grief of bereavement, the strain of divorce or the uncertainty of a new home or school, loss and change affect children in countless ways. Teachers and parents frequently find themselves ill-equipped to help children struggling with the difficult feelings that these situations, and others like them, bring. Helping Children Smile Again offers guided support for teachers, health professionals and parents through interviews with experts in the fields of education, healthcare and parenting.

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Helping Children Smile Again with Amanda Seyderhelm

#25 Why creative writing helps children build empathy with Fiona Clark

June 21, 2021 • AMANDA SEYDERHELM

Teacher and author Fiona Clark's new book A Practical Guide to Creative Writing in Schools: Seven Creative Writing Projects for ages 8-14 is not only well timed, it is also rooted in psychobiology.

We talk about the research of Dr Daisy Fancourt, Associate Professor of Psychobiology & Epidemiology at UCL which shows that the cognitive strategies the brain uses to regulate our emotions are when we are taking part in creative activities.

Fiona's creative writing programmes in schools increase children's confidence with their English, as well as enable them to discover strategies to cope with their feelings during difficult times. The projects cover topics such as identity, cultural heritage, tolerance, empathy, morality, dreams and much more.

Connect with Fiona

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fclark1/

Twitter - @spiralglass

Facebook - @thingsnobodytellsyou

Website - https://spiral-glass.com/

Connect with Amanda Seyderhelm

Subscribe to my monthly newsletter and receive my free guide: 7 steps to helping children cope with loss and grief.

If you are supporting a bereaved child, or know someone who is, you can purchase my books - Isaac and the Red Jumper (for 4-10 yr olds) and Helping Children Cope with Loss and Change

@TheKidDecoder on Twitter
@amandaseyderhelm on Instagram and Linked In