An overview of how we use Talkabout in Ysgol Bro Eirwg.

1. TALKABOUT
Developing Self Awareness
and
Self Esteem

2. What is Talkabout?
Talkabout is a practical resource to help
teachers develop self awareness and self
esteem in children
Created by Alex Kelly a Speech and Language
Therapist
Can be a small group intervention or a whole
class /school programme

3. Why do we need to be concerned about social
skills?
• 46 – 67% of young offenders have poor
communication skills
• 40% of children with emotional and behavioural
difficulties have unidentified communication
difficulties
• Third of children with speech and language
difficulties later develop mental health issues
• Social competence has been demonstrated as
critical in predicting success in future life

4. Being socially unskilled…….you may appear
rude, aggressive, shy, awkward, boring,
annoying, immature, arrogant, aloof
What is the result? …….People don’t see the
real you.
Other people react in a way that you didn’t
expect or intend.
You affected the feelings of others in a
negative way.
Your self confidence was damaged.

5. Causes of social skills difficulties……
• Autism Spectrum Disorder ( ASD)
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD)
• Learning Difficulties
• Communication disorders
• Social background or family life
• Attachment disorders
• Anxiety and mental health issues

6. Social Skills
Self esteem
Relationship
skills
There is a link between these 3 skills which are
underpinned by self esteem

7. A hierarchy of social skills, self esteem and
relationship skills
Assertiveness
Friendship skills
Verbal Communication
Nonverbal communication (body
language)
Self awareness and self esteem

8. How does Talkabout work?
Step 1 – Assessment and Planning
• 4 point rating scale – never good, not very
good, quite good and very good
• Visual representation of areas of strength and
needs
• Assessment score can be quantified

9. Responses from children in our current groups:
Why does your friend like you?
“Didn’t always like me”
“I don’t know”
“I don’t know. Probably because I’m funny to
him”
“Everyone always listens to him, but not me.
They always let him pick”
“He likes playing with me but not if he’s playing
football”
“Actually I don’t know!”
“Because my Mum let him come over to my
house”

10. 3 words to describe you:
“ Nice……that’s a hard question”
“Curly, smart, I went on a rollercoaster last
week”
“Good boy, fast…..I don’t know”
“Friendly, impatient, I like being imaginary”
Do you like talking to people?
“Difficult….so I just keep it in”
“ I normally don’t talk to people I just stay on my
laptop”
“A little bit difficult to talk to a stranger. 3% of
strangers are murderers!”

11. Step 2 - group activities
• 8 topics
• Programme lasts a year
• Games
• Art activities
• Practical strategies for dealing with
difficulties

12. Links to ELSA and the Restorative Approach
• Use of circles
• Use of emotion vocabulary and needs cards

13. Available resources: