Future Directions: Practical ways to develop emotional intelligence and confidence in young people: Practical Ways to Develop Emotional Intelligence in Young People [Paperback]

Future Directions is specially created to support teachers as they guide their pupils through the exciting and often perplexing period of transition from school to adult life. It provides a series of lesson plans designed to help pupils explore sensitive issues within the security of the classroom. Each lesson includes interactive exercises which will encourage pupils to: All the exercises are on photocopiable sheets and the lesson plans can be adapted easily to meet specific needs.

Leaving school and entering the world of college or work is a major step forward in life. To make their way as successful adults, young people need more than academic achievements. They need confidence in themselves as individuals; an awareness of how to build on their strengths and overcome their weaknesses; a set of personal values to support them through relationships and day-to-day decision-making; an understanding of how their behaviour affects not just themselves but others as well; and the maturity to take responsibility for their own emotional welfare.

Future Directions: Practical Ways to develop emotional intelligence and confidence is a practical resource book designed to support teachers as they guide their pupils through the exciting and often perplexing period of transition from child to adult. The authors have been practising as personal development trainers and coaches for over 20 years. Their programmes, acclaimed by students of all ages and abilities, are underpinned by the belief that the emotional well-being of the individual is of paramount importance. This theory forms the basis of this book, which introduces, stage by stage, the lifeskills that are essential to future success. Topics covered include:

• developing self-knowledge
• building confidence
• managing stress
• communication skills
• making choices
• starting work

Each chapter introduces a topic and sets out plans for several sessions, each with enjoyable and challenging interactive exercises designed to encourage young people to think for themselves rather than look to others for solutions. These exercises are intended to raise points for discussion and to help young people explore sensitive issues with the help of a supportive adult. The session plans can be adapted easily to be applied within a particular curriculum or to meet specific needs outside of a classroom setting.

The aim of this book is to equip young people with the personal skills they need to meet the future, and to help them explore sensitive issues within the security of the classroom. Working together through the programme, both pupils and teachers will reap the benefits of increased mutual trust and understanding.

Diane Carrington designs and delivers bespoke training sessions and workshops to a range of educational business organizations throughout the world. She specializes in helping people to become more creative and to achieve their full potential in all situations in life and in work. She has worked with a range of organizations and with individuals of all ages. Diane taught for eight years, as a Head of Department and a head of Careers before returning to training and coaching ten years ago. She is keen to integrate the techniques and strategies that she uses successfully with adults into her work with young people. She works with Head Teachers, teachers and students and a range of educational organizations including the Learning and Skills Development Agency, the Learning Skills Council and the Confederation for British Teachers. She has also worked with the charity Parentline, training facilitators to enable them to deliver Parenting Skills Courses. Diane is currently studying for a Masters degree in Applied Psychology at Brunel University. She recently worked for the Samaritans on their Emotional Health and Well Being Project; designing and evaluating lesson plans for use by both teachers and Samaritan volunteers. Helen Whitten has spent the last 13 years coaching and training young people and adults in practical methods for developing self-knowledge, self-confidence and the ability to maximize their potential. She has worked in organizations, schools and colleges teaching people how to rain their minds to think positively and creatively about the situations they face. Helen applies cognitive-behavioural methodology to produce practical thinking strategies that enable people to break through old patterns of behaviour and develop emotions and behaviours that support their endeavours and ambitions. The result is an enthusiastic and optimistic attitude, clear goals consistent with personal values, practical skills and knowledge, and the ability to maintain performance under pressure. Helen has applied these methods in her own life when she made a career change from work as a historical researcher to studying history as a mature student and retraining in the area of Human Resources and personal development. She founded Positiveworks in 1993 and has run individual and group sessions for clients throughout the world. Helen and Diane work together in Positiveworks Limited offering coaching and training sessions on positive life strategies to young people and adults. These sessions include study skills, sixth-form induction programmes, sessions to prepare for interviews and sessions based on the exercises included in this book. They speak at educational conferences and deliver staff training. For further information visit www.positiveworks.com.