In every classroom, behind the numbers and marks, a child is facing emotional ups and downs. Some children worry about reading aloud, others dread social situations, and some just want to disappear when things feel hard. At Japari School, we understand that emotional struggles like anxiety and low self-esteem can become invisible barriers to both learning and happiness. We ensure that emotional resilience is taken seriously.
Our mission goes far beyond academic support. As a dedicated learning support school in Johannesburg, we focus on nurturing each pupil’s emotional resilience. The ability to bounce back, adapt, and thrive in the face of challenges.
Through the expertise of our specialised teachers, on-campus therapists, and close parent partnerships, we help our pupils move from worry to confidence, building a strong foundation for lifelong success.
Why Emotional Resilience Matters in Education
Emotional health and resilience are not extras. They are the core of a child’s growth, happiness, and academic achievement. Research shows that children who are emotionally strong:
- Engage more in class and extracurricular activities
- Form healthy friendships and relationships
- Try new things without fear of failure
- Recover from setbacks with courage
- Perform better academically
At Japari, we believe that every learner deserves not only academic support but also a nurturing environment where their emotional needs are understood and met. This approach leads to happier children, stronger learners, and a more positive school community.
Japari’s Approach: A Supportive Learning Community
Every school talks about support, but at Japari, it’s in our DNA. We design every part of the school day to help children feel safe, accepted, and valued. Because emotional safety is the foundation of emotional resilience.
Daily Connection
- Warm greetings: Every child is welcomed by name each morning.
- Structured routines: Predictable schedules, calm-down corners, and visual timetables create a sense of safety.
- Celebrating strengths: We highlight every child’s unique abilities through awards, showcases, and positive feedback.
The Role of Our Specialised Teachers
Japari’s teachers are more than academics. They are emotional coaches, resilience-builders, and champions for every child.
- Specialised training: All teachers have expertise in social-emotional learning (SEL) and understand how to spot and respond to signs of anxiety, frustration, or self-doubt.
- Positive language: We use growth mindset language (“You can’t do it yet, but you’re getting there!”) and encourage risk-taking in learning.
- Small classes: This ensures every child is seen and supported—no one slips through the cracks.
Therapies Integrated into the School Day
What sets Japari apart is our in-school therapy services:
- Speech-language, occupational, and counselling therapy are offered on campus, removing the need for parents to arrange outside appointments.
- Therapy is seamlessly blended into the daily routine, ensuring emotional support is just as much a priority as academics.
- Our therapists and teachers communicate regularly, creating a unified support team around each pupil.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Heart of Our Curriculum
SEL is woven into everyday life at Japari School, not just as a lesson but as a way of being:
- Morning check-ins: Classes begin with “How are you feeling today?”—giving pupils the language to express emotions.
Emotion vocabulary lessons: Through stories, art, and group discussion, children learn to identify and communicate their feelings. - Conflict resolution circles: We use structured discussions to help children resolve disagreements and build empathy.
- Mindful moments: Short breathing or mindfulness exercises help pupils refocus and manage stress.
When SEL is part of daily life, pupils develop self-awareness, emotional control, empathy, and a sense of belonging.
Mindfulness, Relaxation, and Journaling
Mindfulness and relaxation techniques are core tools in Japari’s emotional resilience toolkit. Our pupils learn to:
- Practice mindful breathing before tests or presentations (“Let’s take three slow breaths together”)
- Try progressive muscle relaxation (“Squeeze your fists…now let go”) to calm nerves
- Use visualisation (“Imagine your favourite place; how does it feel?”) to ease anxiety
We also encourage journaling and creative expression:
- Younger children draw pictures of their feelings
- Older pupils keep journals or gratitude logs (“Three good things about today…”)
- Creative arts, music, and movement are integrated as outlets for self-expression and emotional release
Signs of Anxiety and Low Self-Esteem: What We Look For
Our teachers and therapists are vigilant in spotting signs that a child might be struggling emotionally:
- Frequent headaches, stomachaches, or complaints of not feeling well.
- Reluctance or refusal to come to school.
- Withdrawal from group activities or friends.
- Fear of making mistakes or perfectionism.
- Sudden drop in grades, motivation, or enthusiasm.
- Irritability, defiance, or sudden mood changes.
Early detection allows us to respond quickly, offering support before problems grow larger.
Parent and School Partnership: The Power of Teamwork
Emotional resilience is built fastest when parents and teachers work together. At Japari, this partnership is central to our approach.
Open Communication
- Regular updates: Parents receive feedback on their child’s academic and emotional progress, not just their marks.
- Prompt discussions: If a child is anxious, withdrawn, or struggling, our teachers or counsellors connect with parents for a confidential, solution-focused conversation.
Collaborative Plans
- We create joint action plans with families for children who need extra emotional support, including:
- Goals (e.g., “feel comfortable raising a hand in class”).
- Home strategies (like practising mindfulness or journaling together).
- Check-ins and regular updates on progress.
Parent Workshops & Resources
Japari hosts practical workshops and seminars for parents on topics like:
- Mindful parenting.
- Building strong foundations.
- Creating structure and routine.
- Building confident children at home.
- Managing exams.
Megan, our educational psychologist, is able to give parent coffee chats with parents on current topics and issues parents may be facing.
These events ensure consistency between home and school strategies, giving children a united support team.
Practical Strategies Used at Japari School
1. Mindfulness
- Pupils learn basic mindfulness through breathing exercises, grounding techniques, and guided visualisations.
- These skills help them pause and respond thoughtfully to stress, rather than reacting automatically.
2. Relaxation
- Our therapy team teaches progressive muscle relaxation, visualisation, and “mindful walks” at school.
- These calming routines become personal “go-to” tools for managing nerves, tests, and big feelings.
3. Journaling and Expressive Arts
- Children express worries and hopes through art, drawing, and writing.
- Gratitude logs help build a positive outlook.
- These outlets reduce the emotional load and make it easier for pupils to talk about their feelings.
4. Building Routines
- Predictable school routines create safety, especially for anxious children.
- Visual schedules, task lists, and regular rituals help pupils feel secure and reduce worry.
5. Celebrating Strengths
- Teachers and therapists highlight each child’s unique skills and progress.
- Achievements, no matter how small, are celebrated with praise, certificates, and showcases.
6. Problem-Solving Skills
- Rather than solving problems for pupils, we guide them to find solutions, boosting confidence and independence.
Working Together: Steps for Parents & Teachers
Teachers:
- Be aware of the signs of emotional struggle and communicate with families early.
- Create a warm, inclusive classroom where mistakes are part of learning.
- Use SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) routines and encourage mindfulness and journaling.
Parents:
- Keep communication open with your child and the school.
- Support mindfulness and relaxation practices at home.
- Attend workshops and share feedback with teachers.
Both:
- Share success stories and setbacks.
- Review and adjust action plans together.
- Celebrate every step of progress.
Looking Ahead: Japari’s Commitment
Japari School will continue to innovate in building emotional resilience by:
- Training staff in new SEL and mindfulness approaches.
- Expanding in-school therapy services.
- Offering more parent support groups and resources.
- Piloting peer mentorship and resilience-building programmes.
Our mission is unwavering: to guide each child from anxiety to confidence, preparing them for both academic success and a joyful, emotionally healthy future.
Conclusion
Every child deserves to feel seen, heard, and supported. At Japari School, emotional resilience is not just something we talk about. It’s something we build together, every day, through the compassion of our teachers, the expertise of our therapists, and the trust of our families.
When school and parents work together, anxiety gives way to confidence, and every learner can discover their full potential.
