Jigsaw Families is a one-of-a-kind programme, designed to support children by creating an impact on the community of the child, not just within the classroom. Jigsaw Families equips caregivers with the knowledge, skills and confidence to develop healthy, strong, lasting and loving relationships grounded in psychology and attachment theory. Jigsaw Families provides an informal, friendly and safe environment to explore the challenges of being a parent and carer and offers strategies to help meet families' needs while building a richer engagement with the school or community.
What does Jigsaw Families include?
It is a series of six sessions led by trained and accredited Facilitators from existing school or 'setting' staff delivered to adult and child Family Pairs. Up to 10 Family Pairs can attend the six-week programme at a time, which can be run as many times in a calendar year as required.
Family Pairs participate in mindfulness practice known as Calm Me Time, which they learn through the Jigsaw Friends, Jonty and Jonty Junior.
Each session focuses on a key theme such as communication, managing change, belonging, positive behaviour etc. The issues to be discussed are raised through original child-friendly stories and short video clips.
Jigsaw Families is inclusive, enabling all caregivers regardless of background to participate and fully benefit from the programme.
Families Sessions
All aspects of the Jigsaw Families programme are based on human psychology and understanding, brought to life in a very practical way using many years of professional experience in education, psychotherapy and parenting work, alongside personal experiences of being parents, finding ways to be ‘good enough parents’, and hoping we are doing our children justice.
We offer you the Jigsaw Families Programme, genuinely hoping it will help you support the caregivers in your educational community to be the best they can be for their children.
Key Questions Covered:
How do you ensure that your child feels safe, loved and an important part of your family?
How do you ensure that your child has a sense of belonging?
Families are welcomed and introduced to the special Jigsaw Friend, Jigsaw Jonty, who helps create a supportive environment for learning. The session starts with a "Connect Us" activity to build social skills and respect, where family pairs use names and eye contact. Families also receive their Jigsaw Families Passports, which they will mark each time they attend, and are introduced to the concept of the Jigsaw Families Charter, focusing on respect and confidentiality. Families engage in a story, "Ballet Maddy" followed by a craft activity, with the children having a chance to share their thoughts and feelings. For parents, there’s a discussion on the importance of belonging, using the BASICS model, and a task to reflect on how to help their child feel valued and safe. The session concludes with the Jonty Challenge, where families are invited to integrate Jonty Junior into their home life and share the experience in the following week.
Key Questions Covered:
How can you use choice and consequence to manage behaviour?
How do you support your child to make the right choices?
In Session 2, families engage in a fun "Pass the Squeeze" activity to build teamwork and share experiences from the previous week's Jonty Challenge. The session focuses on reinforcing the Jigsaw Families Charter and includes a calming "Calm Me Time" activity with Jonty Junior to help families practice relaxation techniques together. The story "The Rabbit’s Magic Wand" sparks discussion on the importance of choices and consequences in parenting, using the BASICS model to guide families in creating safe boundaries and empowering children. Parents practice applying these principles through discussions and role-play, followed by the Jonty Challenge, which encourages families to implement what they've learned and continue building connections at home.
Key Questions Covered:
How does what you say make a difference to your child’s behaviour?
How do you reward your child when they make the right choices?
In Session 3, families engage in the "Switch Game," encouraging teamwork and connection. The session focuses on reinforcing the Jigsaw Families Charter, followed by a calming "Calm Me Time" activity with Jonty Junior. Families discuss the story "Shirley’s Flight, " exploring the themes of choices and consequences, and practice using positive language with children. Parents also learn about the importance of language in shaping self-image and behaviour, using the 3 Circles Model to understand how words influence children's actions. The session concludes with the Jonty Challenge, where families set goals and use positive reinforcement to support each other's growth.
Key Questions Covered:
How might we encourage our children to be healthy, happy human beings?
Which picture are we trying to help create?
What words/actions could we use for positive input?
In Session 4, families begin with the "Appreciation Game," promoting positive interaction and teamwork. The session focuses on reinforcingcalming techniques through the "Calm Me Time" activity, encouraging families to practice relaxation together. Families reflect on the story "The Big Race, " discussing parenting styles and how positive language and choices influence behavior. Parents share personal successes and challenges, followed by a recap of the previous sessions' concepts, such as the Three Circles Model and Words Create Pictures. The session concludes with the Jonty Challenge, where families set healthy change goals and work together to achieve them, fostering a sense of accomplishment and connection.
Key Questions Covered:
How do you develop a strong, healthy relationship with your child?
How can you help yourself to be the best parent you can be?
In Session 5, families engage in the "Pass The Squeeze" game to foster teamwork and connection. The session focuses on continuing the practice of "Calm Me Time" with a new visualization exercise, helping families develop emotional resilience. Families reflect on the story "Jabori’s Secret, " discussing parenting styles and attachment theory, which strengthens the relationship between parent and child. The session introduces the concept of attachment and empathy, with a discussion on balancing family life and self-care. Families set goals for the week, focusing on kindness and nurturing their connection, while participating in the Jonty Challenge to grow mustard and cress seeds together, reinforcing the importance of nurturing and shared activities.
Key Questions Covered:
How do you manage change with your child positively?
What are your next steps as a Family Pair?
In Session 6, families engage in the "Change Game," sharing personal changes they've experienced, and reflect on their progress through the Jonty Challenge. The session focuses on managing change, with the "Calm Me Time" activity reinforcing relaxation and emotional resilience. Families explore strategies for positively coping with change, using practical tips like preparing in advance, offering reassurance, and involving children in the process. The session includes a discussion on attachment theory and emotional support, followed by crafting a "change" jigsaw puzzle to visually represent a positive transition. The session concludes with a celebration of the families' progress, distribution of completion certificates, and the final Jonty Challenge, which includes creating a family collage to continue building on their learning.
After a period of 6-8 weeks has elapsed since Session 6, it may be useful to hold a catch-up session with the adults from each Family Pair.This is helpful to see if any changes made during the Jigsaw Families Programme have been maintained.
The session also provides a further opportunity for the adults to ask questions or seek clarification about any of the Programme theory, and as further evaluation for about the Programme’s overall effectiveness for this group. The timing of this session is dependent on what works for each group of parents/carers, but as this session is not designed for the children, during normal school time maybe most appropriate.
Why Choose Jigsaw Families?
Enhance School-Home Partnership
Jigsaw Families fosters a strong connection between schools and families, encouraging collaboration to support students' emotional and social development both in and outside the classroom.
Support Holistic Wellbeing
By integrating emotional wellbeing into family life, Jigsaw Families helps create a nurturing environment where children feel secure, translating into positive and loving relationships, improved parenting confidence and children keen to learn.
Promotes Consistent Learning
Providing parents with tools and strategies to reinforce what children are learning at school, ensures that the social, emotional, and behavioural skills developed in the classroom are supported at home.
Support Mindful Parenting
By sharing mindful parenting techniques, practical tips on managing behaviours and enhancing understanding of children's development, Jigsaw Families helps families to grow, be happy and learn together.
Key Skills and Outcomes for Every Family
Improved Communication and Connection
Families develop stronger communication skills, enhancing their ability to listen, express emotions, and build deeper, more supportive relationships.
Positive Behaviour Management
Caregivers gain practical strategies to guide their children’s behaviour, using positive reinforcement, clear boundaries, and empathy.
Emotional Resilience and Wellbeing
Families learn mindfulness techniques, which help both adults and children manage stress, increase emotional awareness, and improve overall mental health.
Impact in Schools
The impact of Jigsaw Families in schools is significant, as it fosters stronger relationships and improved communication between parents and the school. By engaging families in the learning process, the programme creates a unified approach to supporting students' emotional and social development. It helps parents reinforce positive behaviours, fosters emotional resilience, and encourages a sense of belonging. This collaborative approach not only enhances students' wellbeing but also improves school-parent relationships, leading to a more supportive and cohesive school community.