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Do school children really need life coaching classes?

Former primary teacher Natalie Costa has seen first-hand how small setbacks can knock a child’s confidence.

“Children would hold themselves back when they failed, or think ‘I can’t do this’, or ‘Others are better than me’" she explained on Mornings.

Now working as a life coach, Natalie believes that these moments where things don’t go to plan provide the perfect opportunity to learn resilience.

She regularly visits schools where she teaches methods of managing negative emotions, such as disappointment and anger, and she encourages children to realise that failures are not a reflection of their self-worth.

Should children be given life coaching lessons?

Natalie Costa gives children the tools to deal with emotional challenges.

The focus on mental health

Life coaching is just one example of how schools are increasingly focusing on pupils’ wellbeing.

Head teacher William Dean with pupils

Some have introduced mindfulness classes, in which children are encouraged to mediate and participate in ‘mind exercises’ to help lower stress levels.

One London primary featured on People Fixing the World has gone even further. Highgate Primary’s innovative approach includes visits by a therapy dog, regular outdoor lessons and individual therapy sessions for pupils.

In addition, the school’s classrooms have been soundproofed to create a quieter and calmer working atmosphere.

This novel approach is far removed from traditional ideas of what should happen at school, so what is the overall benefit?

Head teacher William Dean is quite clear. “The focus on wellbeing only leads to greater academic achievement,” he said.