This is the default RSS feeds of my site http://www.mysite.tld/ Tue, 21 May 2013 22:14:53 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 enhanced editor@mysite.tld (Feed Editor) http://misa.org.uk/index.php?aid=74 MISA has a part time administrator who is in the MISA office Tuesdays. You can use the Contact Us form, or if you need to speak to a member of the team, contact the office and leave a message on 020 8681 1900 or 01884 256284 to speak to the Chair of MISA. feed@mysite.tld (phpwcms webmaster) Wed, 18 Jul 2012 08:37:30 +0100 http://misa.org.uk/index.php?aid=74 http://misa.org.uk/index.php?aid=73 Important Considerations for Independent Instructors A majority of MISP Instructors are teachers or classroom assistants and they undertake the MISP as part of their paid work. "Independent instructors" are those who are not employed to introduce MISP as part of their day to day job. Are you interested in becoming a MISP Instructor? You may have skills that you wish to use and a desire to help children. You could be a therapist, nurse, parent, school governor, or have another background. MISP Instructors are the adults who introduce peer massage to the children. They may also work with school staff or staff in other organisations to show them how to use positive touch in various activities. All adults working with children currently require an enhanced Criminal Record Bureau check and from July 2010 will be required to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) under the new vetting and barring scheme (cost £64). Independent instructors may be able to request the school to do this on their behalf. It is important to be aware that whilst a number of independent Instructors are successful in using the MISP in addition to their other therapies it can be hard to make contact and get into schools and there isn’t always funding available. However, there is big variation between schools/LAs/regions and there is also the option run parent workshops, or offer sessions at after schools clubs and in pre-school settings. You can always use MISP in a voluntary setting to gain experience. When starting out it is advisable that independent Instructors already have some contacts that will allow them access into schools or other children's organisations and that these organisations know about the MISP in advance so that they can express an interest in the programme. If it is not the case, good networking skills are required to help establish new contacts within education and seek out any sources of funding which may not be immediately obvious. Some guidance is given at the training but it is up to the Instructor to make contact with schools. There is a possibility that the MISP can be used with parents and their children in private classes as well as after school clubs. Extended schools also look for people to deliver after school classes but again there could be funding issues. MISP is a lovely addition to one's therapies but the opportunities for paid work in this area can be limited. Some therapists who are already working with children find that the MISP gives a sympathetic approach and many ideas for involving children in a range of touch related activities that may lead to inclusion with others. 'How MISP can be introduced into your school by an Independent MISP Instructor' When an Independent MISP instructor is going into a school to teach a class the MISP routine, it is usually for a period of about 8-10 weeks to teach the full MISP routine, or a couple of sessions to teach the weather massage. It is advisable to deliver MISP into two classes, back to back, for half an hour each. This means that Independent Instructors may only be in the school for about an hour on one or two days a week if two classes are involved. The MISP instructor will gradually teach the strokes of the routine to the children, the teacher then carries on with practice sessions of the routine until the instructor returns to check that the strokes are being carried out correctly and to add a few more strokes on to what has already been learnt. The instructor can teach the whole staff some of the positive touch activities as this is developmental and creative, e.g. activities match current school themes/time of year. The difference here is that the MISP massage routine is taught directly to the children by the MISP instructor and is not cascaded down by other adults. Some schools would want to try the MISP with a couple of classes before committing themselves to introducing it throughout the school. MISP Instructors training courses are organised throughout the country by local education authorities, charities and other organisations as well as by the trainers themselves. To find out more about training courses see www.massageinschools.com/trainings-trainers feed@mysite.tld (phpwcms webmaster) Mon, 25 Jun 2012 13:22:14 +0100 http://misa.org.uk/index.php?aid=73 http://misa.org.uk/index.php?aid=72 Anne Crease Anne has been a Massage in Schools Instructor since 2001 and a Trainer since 2003. She is a former schoolteacher with extensive classroom experience, a grandparent to five primary age children, a professional massage therapist and former volunteer therapist for a cancer care charity. She has a particular interest in adapting the MISP for children with special needs. Anne provides independent and in-house MISP trainings, presentations at conferences and workshops related to the educational curriculum. Anne has been a member of the Massage in Schools Association (MISA) committee since 2003 and is currently the Chair of MISA. Carol Trower Carol has been a MISP instructor since its inception in 2000 and a trainer since 2003. She is a former adult and child health professional with extensive experience and has a post-graduate Diploma in Child Mental Health. She is a massage therapist and infant massage instructor, volunteers in her local community and is past president of IAIM. She provides independent and in-house MISP trainings/workshops and conference presentations. Carol wrote the first MISP research and producer for a MISP DVD. She has presented MISP on TV and radio programmes. Carol was the founding chair for MISA for six years. Kate Pigeon-Owen Kate is working mother of two. Her mission is to provide trainings and workshops to promote positive nurturing touch and improve communication between individuals. Kate has been a MISP instructor since 2002 and MISP trainer since 2005. She is also an instructor and trainer for the International Association for Infant Massage (IAIM). Kate believes passionately in the power of positive nurturing touch and is striving to promote the benefits of touch in every primary school in the UK ensuring that MISP is part of the daily curriculum. Rod Davies Rod is an Educational Consultant specialising in social, emotional and behavioural difficulties (SEBD). He is a retired Headteacher and has worked in a major SEBD primary school in London, managing PRU, Behaviour Support Team, and Primary Learning Achievement Centre (PLAC), also Head at the National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy, PMLD, SLD, MLD, and autism. He has worked in the secondary sector as Head of Upper School and in a Local Authority SEN Advisory Service. Rod trained as a MISP Instructor in 2002 and became a MISP trainer in 2005. He is President of MISA International, a member of the International Trainers’ Development Group, working alongside MISP founders Sylvie Hetu and Mia Elmaster and a director of MISA. Kate Norfolk Kate has been a MISP instructor since 2008 and a MISP trainer since 2011. She studied psychology to masters’ level and holds a post graduate in counselling. She has worked in mental health for 7 years and has trained and worked extensively with various talk and touch/massage based therapies. She has 3 fabulous children aged 5 – 12. Kate has worked as a freelance wellbeing practitioner in schools across Merseyside for over ten years. She can provide in house and independent trainings as well as workshops and talks about MISP. She is a director of MISA, with responsibility for the support committee and continues to build on the solid foundations of the programme in this country, embedding it into the daily lives of all children. feed@mysite.tld (phpwcms webmaster) Mon, 25 Jun 2012 13:15:06 +0100 http://misa.org.uk/index.php?aid=72 http://misa.org.uk/index.php?aid=71 ***** THIS PAGE IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION ***** June 2012 feed@mysite.tld (phpwcms webmaster) Mon, 11 Jun 2012 11:51:36 +0100 http://misa.org.uk/index.php?aid=71 http://misa.org.uk/index.php?aid=70 feed@mysite.tld (phpwcms webmaster) Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:33:01 +0100 http://misa.org.uk/index.php?aid=70 http://misa.org.uk/index.php?aid=69 feed@mysite.tld (phpwcms webmaster) Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:39:39 +0100 http://misa.org.uk/index.php?aid=69 http://misa.org.uk/index.php?aid=67 Massage in Schools Programme (MISP) – Evaluation in Northamptonshire TaMHS Project By Mike Simons, Specialist Senior Educational Psychologist The Conclusion from results of MISP Evaluation state ”The combination of quantitative and qualitative results from the MISP evaluation that involved teachers, support staff, parents and pupils, suggests that MISP can have a positive impact on the mental health of pupils, especially in terms of their self-esteem, friendships, pro-social skills, conduct problems and the class becoming more of a team and being calm. There is some indication of increased impact on engagement with learning, including with children who are vulnerable to mental health difficulties.” Download the full report here. feed@mysite.tld (phpwcms webmaster) Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:13:54 +0100 http://misa.org.uk/index.php?aid=67 http://misa.org.uk/index.php?aid=66 feed@mysite.tld (phpwcms webmaster) Mon, 21 Nov 2011 20:43:02 +0100 http://misa.org.uk/index.php?aid=66 http://misa.org.uk/index.php?aid=64 Frequently Asked Questions’s What is the massage in schools programme (MISP)? – A programme of clothed massage carried out by the children on each other with permission in a classroom setting. It also includes other touch based activities. Please see http://www.misa.org.uk/index.php?massageinschools for full details of MISP. What are the main benefits of introducing massage into schools? – Briefly the benefits are: 1) Children become calmer and concentration improves 2) Children have more confidence and increased self esteem 3) MISP teaches children to respect others and leads to social inclusion 4) There is a reduction in bullying and aggression 5) Children’s emotional health improves 6) Helps children to recognise ‘good’ and ‘bad’ touch 7) Children show improved motor skills 8) MISP Encourages visualisation and kinaesthetic learning 9) Children are encouraged to make choices 10) Co-operation improves as children work in pairs and groups 11) There is a calmer classroom environment (the teacher benefits from all these aspects) 12) Massage in FUN! Is the programme being offered in other countries? – Yes MISP is now in 14 other countries and spreading...see www.massageinschools.com for further details. FAQ’s for Schools and organisations How can I get it introduced into my school/club/family? You can either train yourself or staff members to become a MISP instructor; attend a planned MISP training course or arrange to have an in-house training for your school/club or local authority for 10+ people. How do I find an instructor? – see instructor search facility & link http://www.misa.org.uk/index.php?find_an_instructor If no instructor is shown, please email admin@misa.org.uk for further assistance. How often will MISP be happening? – We suggest that the MISP is carried out daily at a specific time (10-15 minutes), normally after playtime when the children will need to calm down and so they are more able to learn. How many schools in the UK use/implement the massage in schools programme (MISP)? - We cannot give a definitive answer as it’s the MISP Instructor who is trained in MISP and not a school. There are over 3500 MISP instructors trained. For an up to date figure please see ‘Future MISP trainings page’ http://www.misa.org.uk/index.php?id=42,0,0,1,0,0 What happens in a typical session of massage in schools? – The children work in pairs and with each other’s permission, carry out a sequence of moves on the back, head, neck, arms and hands whilst fully clothed in the classroom environment for 10-15 minutes a day. Is it suitable for all ages? – The MISP routine has been designed for primary school aged children, 4 – 12 year olds. Our members have access to a great deal of positive touch based activities which can be suitable for a slightly younger or older age group. FAQ’s for adults seeking training; School staff and Independent Instructors How can I train to be a MISP instructor? – Attend a 2 day MISP training course – please see ‘future MISP trainings’ for list of the latest trainings http://www.misa.org.uk/index.php?id=42,0,0,1,0,0. The MISP training course costs between £320-£350 depending on the course venue and location. The fee includes a comprehensive manual and one year’s MISA Membership. Is there any funding available? – This is very LA (area) specific, MISA has details of a few possible funding streams that could be applied for, but not guaranteed. MISA sadly cannot offer a bursary fund for training MISP instructors at this time, but this is being looked into. FAQ’s for parents Will I be told if massage is being introduced into my child's school/club? – Yes parental consent must be obtained before MISP is introduced into a class. I'm not sure about this; can I come into school and watch before I decide whether to allow my child to participate? - Yes, most schools have an open event so questions can be answered and fears alleviated and normally will include a demonstration/watching a DVD. What happens if my child doesn't want to participate? – No problem, they’re encouraged to watch quietly whilst the MISP takes place, and join in by carrying out the moves in the air in front of them or on their own bodies. Normally after watching the MISP for a few sessions and seeing the other children enjoy it they decide they would like to try it. Why is MISP aimed at 4-12 year olds? – Children under 4 years old do not often have the manual dexterity required to carry out the strokes in the MISP routine. Other touch based activities can be used with younger children. All children benefit from positive nurturing touch in whatever form, from a very early age. I'm concerned my child with ADHD will be disruptive. Is it suitable for children with ADHD? Some children with ADHD will find that it calms them down; others can find it hard to focus and concentrate, so it depends on the individual. Sometimes children with ADHD need a bit more help from a teaching assistant to find ways that work for the individual to keep them focused. My child has learning disabilities; will they be able to participate? – Generally children with learning difficulties get a lot of benefit from participating. It does sometimes take them longer to become comfortable with the process, and pick up the routine, but once they have they usually thrive on it. My child has physical disabilities; will they be able to participate? – Yes, usually the massage moves can be adapted to suit the individual where there are physical disabilities. Children with disabilities are usually used to finding their own ways of doing things anyway and as long as they are included and acknowledged in the process, they generally do well. I can see the benefits, but surely boys don't want to take part in massage? – There can be more issues with boys, particularly as they are getting older, but usually when they try MISP they find that they enjoy it. Some boys prefer to work with other boys and some prefer to work with girls, so it’s important to take those things into account and allow them to work in a way that’s comfortable for them. feed@mysite.tld (phpwcms webmaster) Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:45:05 +0100 http://misa.org.uk/index.php?aid=64 http://misa.org.uk/index.php?aid=63 You can look up lists of when and where the past MISP trainings have taken place since the creation of the current database & website in 2006. feed@mysite.tld (phpwcms webmaster) Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:05:59 +0100 http://misa.org.uk/index.php?aid=63