Inside I'm Hurting

by Louise Bomber

Inside I' Hurting provides educational professionals with a much-needed classroom handbook of new strategies, practical tools and the confidence for supporting these children from an attachment perspective, thus promoting inclusion in the school system. Contents how attachment difficulties can affect a child's ability to learn; providing an 'additional attachment figure' in schools; the benefits and challenges of getting alongside children who have experienced trauma and loss; transitions during the school day; permanency and constancy; being explicit; regulating arousal levels; handling conflict; wondering aloud; lowering the effects of shame; working with transition from primary to secondary phase; developing effective home/school partnership (includes a photocopiable initial meeting prompt card); providing staff support; recommendations for future action.

Genres: Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2006

Reviews

[Demi Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Louise Bomber's book is an insightful, inspirational, clear and practical manual which entirely fulfils its aims. This is a much needed classroom book in that it provides children with strategies and practical tools to support and build confidence to form an attachment perspective. The author of this book is a teacher/ therapist this comes across in the book through passion and support. The clear messages within this book are not only for children but for schools to become more inclusive towards children who have experienced trauma and loss. The author emphasises throughout that all of us involved in their support must be `gentle with our strength, strong with our gentleness.' She stresses the need for open , regular communication and non-judgemental collaborative support between all the adults involved in supporting and nurturing these children. This book sets out to help children with attachment difficulties that stem from relationships therefore, this book shows how to form relationships. It shows many different children having various attachment disorders that each require different types of treatment or help. Each chapter is full of quotes from teachers and support assistants who have used her insights and, within each of the key themes she explores, there are examples of useful scripts adults might use in difficult to manage situations.
Within the book it includes how attachment difficulties can affect a child’s ability to learn; proving an ‘additional attachment figure’ in schools; the benefits and challenges of getting alongside children who have experienced trauma and loss; transitions during the school day; permanency and constancy; being explicit; regulating arousal levels; handling conflict; wondering aloud; lowering the effects of shame; working with transition from primary to secondary phase; developing effective home/school partnership (includes a initial meeting prompt card that can be photocopied); providing staff support; recommendations for future action. Bomber methaphorically takes the reader’s hand in a way which inspires and fuels hope in being able to make a positive difference to the lives of children who have suffered trauma and abuse, whilst at the same time being realistic about the demands and stress which can occur in being the Key Adult for one of these children.
This book would work great during a PSHE lesson or for individual purposes. It is aimed at teachersn learning support staff and also makes a reference to parents in terms of home school collaboration. An important message to be shared to all comes from the book that the author stresses the need for open, regular communication and non-judgemental collaborative support between all the adults involved in supporting and nurturing these children.

[Chrissi · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read. Perfect for those experiencing children with attachment issues in the classroom.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazingly useful text for professionals who are working alongside children with attachment and/or behavioural difficulties. The information as to why some behaviours are displayed was coherently explained and (most importantly?) strategies for dealing with the challenges was fantastic.

[Natalie Sheldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fantastic example of attachment in young people and how it should be viewed, understood and dealt with in educational settings. I fully believe that all educational staff, prison officers and other people that work with vulnerable young people should read this book. Perhaps it might stop the negative attitudes I have seen from many adults when dealing with young people with attachment difficulties. I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars!!

[Bryony’s Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book incredibly interesting and useful to my practice.

The author introduces readers to the theory of attachment through easy to understand examples and practical strategies that can be utilised in the classroom and school environment.

The broad range of strategies presented in this book gives readers a vast knowledge of how to adapt the environment around a child to help them to feel safe, secure and supported.

[Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found lots of helpful advice in this book. I especially liked the anecdotal examples of behaviours and reactions included in each section. I have already started trying to apply what I have learnt here in the classroom.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really great practical strategies for supporting children with attachment problems in schools. Well written and easy to read.

[Jody Nicholson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely superb. A must for anyone who works in education.

[Amy Rollason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for anyone working with students who have attachment difficulties. Lots of practical tips, a little more geared to primary but can easily be adapted to secondary.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wish I had more time to read this - 4*

Errrgh! I have a pile of books to read and can't give each book the time it deserves. This book is brilliant in its structure and its approach to learning. Unfortunately, I have had to deal with attachment difficulties throughout my short teaching career but these things have happened and I need strategies to approach these.

This is my first book on attachment disorders and probably won't be my last. I first learned about attachment disorder in A Level Psychology but I didn't make the connections until I was teaching in school. It's interesting to see the links between theory and practice.