Talk cards

An idea from our colleagues in Dorset Healthy Schools

We have introduced ‘Talk Cards’ into some of our classes. These are prompt cards which the children can use to initiate a private conversation with their teacher when they need to. Each school has introduced the use of them in a slightly different way, but the method is consistent throughout. Children can write their name or problem on the ‘Talk Card’ then place the card in a designated box. The teacher can then retrieve the card from the box and speak to the child discreetly at an appropriate time. This allows the children to talk abut problems and concerns without having to worry about how to start the conversation.

This flexible method means that if there is a consistent problem arising, further action could be taken. A whole class discussion or follow-up meetings with other teachers may be needed.

The children are initially given a blank template for a card and this allows them to decorate their own card, adding personality and ownership.

The cards are laminated and this means they can go up through the school with them to other teachers. This also has benefits for transition between primary and secondary schools as they could remain with the children. This has recently been done with local schools with great success.    

Laminating the cards also allows them to be used time and time again, thus being environmentally friendly. The children enjoy being able to rub off the problem from their card at the end of their discussion because…”it's like all my worries have disappeared” (boy, aged 10).

However, the cards are not just restricted to use in school. Some schools have begun to send cards home as a tool for children to talk to parents as well.

This simple method of leaving the cards in a special place to initiate discussions works well at home as well as at school.

Extracted from South Dorset's information for parents and reproduced by kind permission.

Taking it further

Another sentence stem could be added ““I would like to know about…”

They don’t have to be used exclusively for SRE but could be used for other areas as well e.g. They could be useful during transition, introduced in Year 5 or 6 and carried on into Year 7…

There is also a powerful link between the talk cards and Protective Behaviours (Theme 2 “there is nothing so awful or small we can’t talk about it to someone…”) contact us for more information.