MISP Origins Benefits
"A Proven Method To Reduce Bullying and Aggression in School, AND Instill Confidence, Self-Esteem and Respect Amongst Students"
Recent news reports show that bullying is on the rise in Singapore schools.
In Channel NewsAsia Article entitled "95 percent of Primary, Secondary Students Experienced Bullying in Schools", almost all the 4,000 students surveyed said they had experienced bullying; with more than 50% revealing that they were victims of physical bullying ! Click here to read the article. - sidebar pls
Unfortunately, this seems to be a trend that is not exclusive to Singapore. Bullying is a real and present issue that is plaguing the education system all over the world. We have all heard of school shootings and suicide incidents in the US, while recent news reports tell of increasing numbers of student suicides in Japan (Click here for the alarming news reports). All these symptoms are directly or indirectly caused by bullying cases.
While "bullying" seems like a small word - something petty and childish - it can actually have a huge impact on anyone who has suffered from it. Whether verbal or physical, bullying leaves a huge scar in people's minds and hearts.
Proactive Solutions !
The Ministry of Education is implementing "appropriate disciplinary measures on bullies and counselling". It has stated clearly that "bullying in schools is regarded as a serious matter".
Are such measures effective ?
Instead of implementing only reactive solutions, we can implement a proven, preventive, and wholesome approach introducing the Massage in Schools Program that has worked for thousands of schools all over the world.
The Massage in Schools Program (MISP) was founded in the UK in 2000 by Mia Elmsäter, a Montessori-trained teacher from Sweden and Sylvie Hětu, a Steiner teacher from Canada.
The MISP is taught in a quiet environment usually the classroom where children learn the art of respectful positive touch through gentle massage movements. Massage involves movement ; with young children, they learn to move their bodies in an organised way within organised boundaries and this helps them develop the ability to manage their own physical behaviour.
The children are grouped in pairs and administer ten minutes of simple massage strokes to each other on the head, neck, shoulder and back over full school uniform.
Children love the simple routine where massage strokes are made into familiar names and stories that children can relate to and visualise. Massage therefore can play a vital role within a child's life as it is a very important way of communication.
Children who participate in this program report feeling more settled and happier at school, having more friends, working harder and experiencing improved concentration. Before the age of 12, they are more tactile-kinaesthetic - they use touch more than sight or hearing for information about the world. Massage therefore can play a vital role within a child's life as it is a very important way of communication.
Children are just as stressed as adults - sometimes even more so. Our present society is full of demands and expectations and children from as young as four years old are exposed with pressures of latest technologies ie televisions, mobile devices and computers. Then there is the stress of homework, peer pressure, friendships, bullying, academic performance and concerns about their appearance.
All involved in the Program are convinced that if every primary school child had ten minutes of massage a day, it would improve their feelings about themselves and their relationships with one another. Touch is the first sense we develop and it is extremely important for communication and learning.
Teachers may like to try to incorporate touch in more fun curriculum based activities.
This program is accredited by Edge Hill University in England as part of teachers' continuing professional development, and has been adopted by many schools in many countries worldwide.
The MISP offers training for adults working with children to incorporate touch within safe boundaries. The purpose of this course is to provide the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to introduce the program successfully and professionally within good practice guidelines. Reports flood back from all trainings on the huge difference this fun positive touch program is having within the UK school structure.
The MISP aims to provide high quality and professional training to all teachers and caring adults who are willing to bring nurturing touch into schools.
All Trainers and Instructors are members of the Massage in Schools Association (MISA), which is a member of the Anti-Bullying Alliance in UK.
Benefits for children, teachers and their schools:
- Improves mental health, including concentration and memory
- Fosters physical development through creative, kinaesthetic motor skills
- Enables children to distinguish between appropriate and in appropriate touch
- Develops respect and tolerance for others and increases social inclusion
- Has resulted in significant reduction in bullying and aggression
- Enhances a school's mission statement and ethos
