A whole-school, whole-child values journey
The Big Think comprises 2 values-themed, social investment, life skills programmes: THE BIG 3 AND ME for ages 3 to 5 and THE BIG 5 for ages 5 to 11.
The Big 5 is an empowering whole-school, whole-child, wellbeing programme that has been developed to help children aged 5 to 11 build positive relationships, become aware of their behaviour in the context of values and choices and develop a greater sense of who they are.
It is ideal for schools seeking a comprehensive, integrated approach to their pupils’ Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development; their Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education; and the statutory Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum.
“The Big Think has shaped the way we teach and learn and actively defines our Whole Child education. It’s a true whole school approach that helps each and every child to understand, appreciate and put all these values into action day in day out!”
Our carefully designed multi-media resources ensure children can engage with values and issues in experiential, creative and analytical ways. Every session from The Big 5 toolkit begins with a Silent Sitting visualisation with gentle music to focus the mind, followed by a review of The Big Story from the earlier Assembly. Children then take on The Big Question to explore the issue through a Values Inquiry, a Values Dialogue or a Values Role play. To end the session, they reflect in their My Big Think Journal and come together for The Big Sing.
The Big 5 is an innovative programme that is available to purchase annually. It provides 120 dialogic lesson plans, with accompanying activities, materials and training. It helps schools meet expectations for the rounded development of children. Early in their school careers participants begin to master Relationships skills and gain competencies that enable them to manage their Physical Health and Mental Wellbeing. As they build up a personal, meaningful bank of well-considered values, they enjoy applying them so that they can enhance their academic, personal and social lives in positive ways and participate more effectively in the wider world.
Introducing our latest programme THE BIG 3 + ME
The Department for Education has reported that 'by the age of five, the attainment levels of children from disadvantaged backgrounds are, on average, four months behind their better off peers and such gaps can double by the end of primary schooling.'
As the Princess of Wales pointed out in her speech during the 2023 Shaping Us National Symposium, “Early childhood is the golden opportunity to establish the core social and emotional foundations and capabilities we need to thrive.”
THE BIG 3 + ME is an exciting and engaging experiential learning programme for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Our aim is to prevent learning gaps and setbacks from occurring by advancing practitioners’ expertise and enabling children aged 3 to 5 to acquire the core personal, social, emotional, self-regulation, language and communication skills necessary to participate fully in pre-school settings. See The BIG 3 + ME — The Big Think (the-big-think.org) to discover how children can THRIVE at 3, FLOURISH at 4 and FLY at 5 as they progressively gain the BIG 3 capabilities: Self-Regulation, Self-Awareness and Relationship-Building skills.