Massage in Schools Programme

It’s a jam packed two-days that ideally would be four if we all had more time and money!

We aim to have you leave well versed, competent and enthusiastic enough to get started, in some shape or form, the very next day!

We also aim to have participants:

• Be prepared as instructors in the MISP Massage Routine for children 4-12 years of age, in a variety of settings and with different age groups, needs and abilities.
• Understand the evolvement of the Massage in Schools Programme –where it’s come from and how MISP can continue to serve Education and Child Mental Health Agendas such as Every Child Matters.
• Become familiar with the arguments for and against such a ‘touchy subject’, and to feel confident and knowledgeable as to why touch is crucial in building empathic, resilient and confident children.
• Know the potential for MISP to impart a value of respect, responsibility and personal safety rights.
• Update your knowledge on the physical and neurobiological benefits of massage and nurturing touch and how biochemistry of the brain shapes our reactions to stress and emotional competence - or not!
• Consider how to take an all-inclusive programme and meet the special needs of children sensitive to touch, with ADHD, Aspergers Syndrome and/or disabilities.
• Be informed of current research on the impact of massage and touch. In particular, this trainer’s own unique experience of utilising the original Draw and Write Illuminative Research, before and after MISP, across two Local Authorities.
• By livening up teaching methods and lifting the curriculum with movement and touch games we can support pupils’ different learning styles - reminding us that ‘all work and no play’ makes for a very dull day!
• Plan the first step- the practicalities of getting started - how, what, when and who’s going to help?

   

Participants will leave with a certificate and one year’s MISA Membership, giving them International Rights to instruct children 4-12 years of age in the MISP Routine.

This can also be taught to parents/carers for use with their own children.

In rare cases, if participants have not met the level required to become an Instructor they will be invited to attend, at minimal cost, a second training session. This would be negotiated with the trainer at the time.

 The course delivery includes:

• Peer massage instruction and practice
• Movement activities and games
• Presentations with children’s drawing and writing display
• Pair work and facilitation practice
• Group work
• Active learning methods

Oh, and some fun!
 

Who Would Benefit?

• Children Services Staff and Holistic Health Practitioners.
• Anyone in a position to share the benefits of MISP with children, their families and childcare professionals, either independently or as part of your post.
• Those with a desire and or professional brief to promote good preventative practice in the field of Child Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing: e.g. Co-ordinators for Healthy Schools, Anti-Bullying, PSHE, Pastoral Care and Transition.
• Early Year Practitioners and Child Minders, Primary Teachers and  Teaching Assistants, Learning Mentors, SENCO’s, Behavioural Lead Personnel, Educational Psychologists, Learning Mentors, School Nurses, Secondary Staff with responsibility for Year 7 Transition, Family Centre Workers, Extended Services Carers,  Foster Carers, Children’s Homes Staff and Parents.
• Yoga Teachers, Holistic Health Practitioners and Massage Therapists who would like to earn extra income by merging their specialised skills with MISP for Schools and Childcare Settings.
  
  
   

Course provision includes:

• Two-day course with a good balance of intensive instruction and practical work
• Professional training manual and comprehensive training notes
• Certificate on completion of the course acknowledging Qualified Instructor Status
• Opportunity to evaluate the course through Edgehill University and gain credits to higher qualifications, currently free
• 1-year free membership with the Massage In Schools Association in your country and the right to use the current MISA logo
• Ongoing support provided via the membership, web forums, bi- annual members days (UK) and trainer contact
• Refreshments throughout the day. Occasionally lunch may also be available in some venues. Please check your specific course flyer.

Cost of Course:

UK: £270.00

New Zealand: $420.00

Please enquire about rates for elsewhere.

Your Trainer

Anna-Michele is an enthusiastic advocate of the Massage in Schools Programme (MISP), having worked in and around Schools, Childcare Settings and Family Services for most of her 30-year career. She has extensive experience in teaching and educational advisory services, child protection and arts therapies for groups and individuals.

Anna-Michele is convinced MISP is one of the best approaches to fostering emotional literacy that she has come across!

In 1994, she established an International Consultancy Service to promote ‘Emotional Education Through the Arts’. Aiming to support children, young people, and their carers to creatively and safely manage ’everyday feelings’, the MISP was a natural extension of this.

As an Anti-Bullying Officer for a Local Authority in the UK, Anna-Michele successfully introduced MISP in 2007 as a preventative approach to bullying, in Primary Schools and Parent Groups. By utilising her original ‘Draw and Write Research', the project showed significant reductions in classroom disruption and playground fallouts, whilst improving calm, connection and concentration amongst pupils, and family members.

Teachers, parents and pupils have wholeheartedly adopted MISP as an integral part of the school day despite pressure on time, quite simply, because it works, and they love it!

In 2009, Anna-Michele was commissioned by Gateshead Education UK to evaluate MISP as part of a ‘Targeting Mental Health in Schools’ Project across 10 Primary and Secondary Schools. Utilising her skills with the Draw and Write Approach, she is in collaboration with York St. John University to analyse the impact of MISP delivery.

She also participated in the International Associations of Infant Massage Instructor Training whilst in New Zealand recently.

As Education Co-ordinator, on the MISA Committee since 2008, she is also completing her MISP studies with Edgehill University and continues to research and deliver the Massage in Schools Programme internationally including the UK, New Zealand and in the near future, Dubai.

View Biography and CVs

• Biography - Massage in Schools
• CV - Freelance Contracts
• CPD Overview
  

What participants had to say about the Massage in Schools training, London 2009

“I enjoyed the thorough insight, knowledge, data... great to have the theory to bowl over those sceptics.” Child Development Worker

“I feel that a great balance was achieved.” Teacher

“Very enjoyable course!” Massage Therapist

“Thank you Anna-Michele! I love your passion & excitement.” Child Development Worker

Comments about the Massage in Schools Programme course from attendees

“Beautifully delivered.”

“A wonderful learning experience.”

"It would be difficult to improve this course. Anna-Michele has obviously invested a lot of herself in its delivery to great effort." Don Sweeney, Healthy Schools

"Very enjoyable would highly recommend both as worthwhilefrom a personal point of view and as benficial for children & schools" Anne Munro

"It Should be compulsory" 

What did you enjoy most about the course?

“Getting hands on practice and the enthusiasm of Anna-Michele.” Lauren Seager, Anti-Bullying Alliance

Comments from the attendees of the Massage in Schools Programme course held in York

“I found it extremely enjoyable at the same time as it being extremely informative. It was fantastic, I enjoyed everything!”

“It was sympathetic to a non-school experience. It was fun, friendly, exciting and interesting. I feel motivated to get going!”
 

Anti Bullying Alliance Toolkit 2009

“Massage in schools aims to encourage children and young people to benefit from a ‘nurturing touch’. It can be used as a preventative approach to bullying as it brings children and young people together in a relaxed environment and encourages co-operation and friendship.”

Roger Brown, OFSTED Inspector, December 2005

"If you have a child leaving school with high self-esteem then the education system has achieved its greatest goal. The Massage In Schools Programme (MISP) helps with this objective.

As the programme happens in a classroom/school setting, teachers benefit from a calmer classroom and improved concentration from the students."