The BIG 3 + ME

Readiness to Learn - equipping both practitioners and young children with SEL skills for life.

Since the pandemic, increasing numbers of Early Years pupils have been struggling to self-regulate, care for themselves and build relationships at the expected level impacting their readiness to learn. The BIG 3 + ME is a universal programme for all children aged 3-5 that builds 3 BIG SEL skills using 7 evidence based Readiness Rituals enabling both practitioners and their pupils to thrive.

bookmark_border

Bookmark

Overview

Information on this page is provided by the innovator and has not been evaluated by HundrED.

Web presence

2023

Established

1K

Children

1

Countries

Target group

Students early

Updated

April 2024

We want Education Equality with all young children starting their educational journey equally equipped with SEL skills they need to fully access learning, so they can thrive for life. Our sister programme, The BIG 5 was developed for 5-11 year-olds and we now want to address this Early Years gap since age 3-5 is where the foundations for SEL skills must start to be laid before it is too late.

About the innovation

Why did you create this innovation?

The BIG 3 + ME was developed through a research-based pilot with the EEF, an independent charity set up to break the link between family income & educational achievement. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds have, on average, weaker Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) skills than their more affluent peers, and this disproportionately impacts their ability to thrive in SEL competencies.

What does your innovation look like in practice?

The BIG 3 + ME comprises 24 sessions that centre around 3 BIG values (Peace, Truth and Love) and build 3 BIG SEL skills (self-regulation, self-awareness and relationship-building skills). Early Years practitioners are trained to deliver weekly sessions (building to 20-minutes) that practise these SEL skills using 7 evidence-based Readiness Rituals that are developmentally appropriate and support 3-5 year olds to start to build a sense of self, gain agency and a forge respectful relationships with both peers and adults.

The sessions are fun and practical with children sitting around a focal point of the BIG 3 Mat with 3 Special Animals in the centre - Paxton the Peaceful Panda, Tao the Truthful Turtle and Cali the Caring Puppy. Practitioners are trained as expert models of SEL skills and learn how to deliver the rituals to create a safe, inclusive space. Online resources include: Silent Sitting Meditations, British Sign Language (BSL) films for BIG Feelings, BIG Books and Songs.

How has it been spreading?

In September 2023, The BIG 3 + ME was piloted with the Education Endowment Foundation in 12 settings across Newham, a disadvantaged area of East London. These settings have helped spread the word about the impact of TB3+ME so it is spreading locally in London. New prospective settings are invited to attend a free bi-monthly virtual workshop led by a TB3 Consultant to find out about TB3+ME and from this point they can book membership and training. Many of our settings come from our sister programme The BIG 5 (which is for 5-11 year olds) who are looking to start laying the foundations earlier on. Chains of private and voluntary nurseries are keen on using an evidence-based programme that is aligned with child development and our next step is to train much larger groups such as these.

If I want to try it, what should I do?

Browse our website: https://www.the-big-think.org/the-big-3-me-intro

Attend a free TB3 + ME virtual workshop led by a TB3 Consultant: https://bit.ly/4aBMZoz

Ask for code for trial access to TB3 + ME resources on our website, email contact@the-big-think.org

Implementation steps

Attend Practitioner Training

1. Attend 90-minute Practitioner training workshop and receive TB3+ME Readiness Rituals manual.
2. Observe 20-minute modelled session (live or on film)
3. Book in monthly virtual Check-ins lead by TB3 Consultant to hear from other practitioners

Purchase Membership and Resource Bundle

1. Purchase membership to online resources including 24 session kits
2. Purchase resource bundle comprising: BIG 3 Mat, Singing bowl, 50 BIG Feelings Cards, 3 Special Animal stuffed toys and basket

Deliver 3 Starter sessions

1. Deliver 3 Starter sessions (10-minutes each)

Deliver first 8 BEING sessions

1. Deliver the first 8 sessions (building up to 20-minutes each) adapt using stage-appropriate guidelines depending on the development stage of your pupils.

Weekly Reflection Journal

1. Reflect each week using BIG journals to consider SEL skill development of 3 children each week and plan next small steps to move them on.

Keeping Learning alive between sessions

Build TB3+ME area in classroom where 3 Special Animals can live so children can interact with them all week in between sessions. Children will start to use the different animals to support different SEL development e.g. asking for Cali the Caring Puppy to help persuade a friend to join in, asking for Paxton the Peaceful Panda when a child needs help to calm down.

Option to attend monthly Virtual Check-ins

Option to attend monthly 45-minute virtual check-in to meet practitioners from other settings and share best practice.