Nursery Webinar: Supporting Emotional Wellbeing in the Early Years

At St George’s School, we are committed to nurturing not only the academic development of our children but also their emotional well-being and resilience. Recently, our nursery community had the privilege of participating in an inspiring webinar led by Dr. Kathy Weston, a leading UK expert on parenting and parental engagement, and the founder of Tooled Up Education.

Dr Weston shared evidence-based insights into how young children develop emotional literacy, resilience, and a secure sense of identity—all essential building blocks for a child’s healthy development. She introduced the “five fingers of support” concept, encouraging families to help children understand who is in their corner and where they belong. She also reminded us of the power of sensitive responses, showing how simply responding to a child’s emotional needs can lead to stronger long-term outcomes in relationships and even academic success.

We were particularly struck by the idea of “catching your child’s resilience”—recognising and praising moments when they persevere through difficulty—and by the importance of supporting children through risky play in safe, supervised environments.

The session underscored how crucial it is for families and educators to work together in partnership. At St George’s, we know that strong relationships between home and school create the foundations for confident, emotionally secure children.

We are grateful to Dr. Weston for her warmth, energy, and practical guidance, which will continue to shape how we support our children and families moving forward.

For more information on accessing Tooled Up Education or to request further resources, please contact the school office.