Methodology The Girasol UK education programme uses as its base the methodology first developed in Girasol Spain (Arcos) and refined over the period of 23 years. This methodology combines the use of traditional holistic therapies with positive psychology as well as NLP, EMDR and cognitive, systemic therapy. There are two key elements which are essential to all Girasol UK programmes and these are the use of traditional storytelling and creative relaxation. There are some basic principles which underpin the Girasol approach, which can be summarized as follows: 1. A Holistic Paradigm Girasol believes in taking a person as a whole and that a child’s education should be as much emotional as cognitive. Our educational programme focuses on the development of the whole child; bio-psycho-social-spiritual. 2. An Individual Approach Girasol encourages an attitude of respect towards individuals especially in group situations. We believe that emotional education must be experiential to be effective, and we recognize that every child’s experience is different and valid. 3. Contextual Congruence For children to acquire emotional skills they must be taught by adults who embody these skills, therefore Girasol believes that, children parents and teachers must grow together for education to be the most effective. 4. Linking with the Positive Development or change must start with a recognition of the positive in a person, our society has a tendency to focus exclusively on the bad, negative or dysfunctional. A person can only improve by experiencing the healthy part of themselves. At Girasol we open to children the possibility to experience this healthy part. 5. Self-Motivation, Self-Responsibility We give children the option to experience voluntary participation in the activities. By not imposing our will on the child, we allow the child the opportunity to develop self motivation and to take responsibility for their decisions.
				The Girasol Foundation Charity No. 1114227