{"alias":"contentPage","byline":null,"standfirst":null,"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"sidebar","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/viadowit/hrh-the-princess-of-wales-with-squirrels.jpg","width":800,"height":537,"altText":"HRH The Princess of Wales is sat outside at a table with two Squirrels wearing red jumpers as they do crafts.","caption":"Photo: Kensington Palace","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EIn Scouts, children and young people gain a variety of social and emotional skills that support their development. These are what we call skills for life. Like The \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://royalfoundation.com/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Royal Foundation website\u0022\u003ERoyal Foundation\u003C/a\u003E Centre for Early Childhood, we believe that the earlier our young people gain these skills, the better \u2013 preparing them now and into the future for heathy, happy lives.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EWhat is the Shaping Us Framework?\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://centreforearlychildhood.org/our-work/research/the-shaping-us-framework/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EShaping Us Framework\u003C/a\u003E, launched in February 2025, describes, in a clear and accessible way, the social and emotional skills that young people need to thrive. The foundations for these skills are laid in early childhood, but they continue to develop throughout life.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Framework has been designed to help give social and emotional skills the greater priority they deserve. Organisations across the UK have been encouraged to use it in their work.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EImproving social and emotional development in early childhood has been shown to improve the likelihood that children with be happy and healthy in childhood, and throughout life. These skills are linked to better academic and career outcomes, and physical and mental health in adulthood.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EDeveloping children\u2019s social and emotional skills supports \u003Ca href=\u0022/about-us/our-people/joint-presidents/\u0022 title=\u0022Joint Presidents\u0022\u003EHRH The Princess of Wales\u2019\u003C/a\u003E mission of creating a happier, healthier society.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Framework can help our volunteers, potential volunteers, donors, supporters and parents understand the benefits of their young people taking part in an early years programme, such as \u003Ca href=\u0022/squirrels/\u0022 title=\u0022Squirrels\u0022\u003ESquirrels\u003C/a\u003E. It also helps us talk about the skills in a shared language. This in turn leads to positive action, like volunteering.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"callToAction","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","buttonText":"Download a short guide to the Shaping Us Framework","buttonLink":{"name":null,"id":null,"url":"https://centreforearlychildhood.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Shaping-Us-Framework-A-Short-Guide-FINAL-1.pdf","newWindow":false,"target":"_blank"},"colour":{"value":"ed3f23","label":"ed3f23"},"alignment":"left"},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EActivities linked to the Framework\u0026nbsp;\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETo help our volunteers, parents and carers, we\u2019ve mapped activities from our Squirrels programme to the relevant clusters of skills in the Shaping Us Framework.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThese activities support children and young people to develop social and emotional skills \u2014 either because the activity is designed to do so, or because these skills are naturally used and strengthened through taking part.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you do these activities with young people, you might want to encourage them to reflect on the skills they have used and strengthened. For example, if you play the parachute game you might want to talk with the children about how they needed to communicate to complete the task.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EThe Shaping Us Framework and Squirrels activities\u003C/h3\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":true,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EWho we are as individuals.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EUnderstand our own thoughts, feelings and beliefs \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/special-to-me/\u0022 title=\u0022Special to me\u0022\u003ESpecial to me\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EHave hopes for our future \u2013\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/i-can-do-many-things/\u0022 title=\u0022I can do many things\u0022\u003EI can do many things\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"Know ourselves"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EHow we receive and share feelings, thoughts and information.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EListen to and understand others \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/play-to-me-to-you-parachute-game/\u0022 title=\u0022Play \u0027to me, to you\u0027 parachute game\u0022\u003EPlay \u0027to me, to you\u0027 parachute game\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EExpress ourselves \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/express-yourself/\u0022 title=\u0022Express yourself\u0022\u003EExpress yourself\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"Communicate with others"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EHow we understand, process and manage our emotions.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EUnderstand our own and others\u2019 emotions \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/learn-about-what-makes-you-happy/\u0022 title=\u0022Learn about what makes you happy\u0022\u003ELearn about what makes you happy\u003C/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/we-dont-talk-about-bruno-we-do-talk-about-you/\u0022 title=\u0022We don\u0027t talk about Bruno. We DO talk about you.\u0022\u003EWe don\u0027t talk about Bruno. We DO talk about you\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EHave ways to manage our emotions \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/create-a-breathing-buddy/\u0022 title=\u0022Create a breathing buddy\u0022\u003ECreate a breathing buddy\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"Manage our emotions"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EHow we get along and build relationships with others.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAccept others for who they are \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/learn-about-what-makes-you-unique/\u0022 title=\u0022Learn about what makes you unique\u0022\u003ELearn about what makes you unique\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EUnderstand and feel someone else\u2019s emotions \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/play-the-fun-with-feelings-game/\u0022 title=\u0022Play the Fun with Feelings game\u0022\u003EPlay the Fun with Feelings game\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EUnderstand what someone might be thinking \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/how-do-you-see-the-world/\u0022 title=\u0022How do you see the world?\u0022\u003EHow do you see the world?\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EBe kind \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/make-kindness-pebbles/\u0022 title=\u0022Make kindness pebbles\u0022\u003EMake kindness pebbles\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EGive freely \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/make-care-packages-for-the-community/\u0022 title=\u0022Make care packages for the community\u0022\u003EMake care packages for the community\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EGet on with others \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/make-a-card-for-a-friend/\u0022 title=\u0022Make a card for a friend\u0022\u003EMake a card for a friend\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EBuild positive relationships \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/memory-lane/\u0022 title=\u0022Memory lane\u0022\u003EMemory lane\u003C/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/friend-finding-mission/\u0022 title=\u0022Friend finding mission\u0022\u003EFriend finding mission\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ELove and be loved \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/meet-your-match/\u0022 title=\u0022Meet your match\u0022\u003EMeet your match\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWork well with others \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/crossing-the-giant-s-causeway/\u0022 title=\u0022Crossing the Giant\u2019s Causeway\u0022\u003ECrossing the Giant\u0027s Causeway\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ESet and respect boundaries\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EManage conflict\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EFocus our thoughts\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"Nurture our relationships"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EHow we effectively learn, work and manage in life.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EFocus our attention \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/try-some-mindfulness-techniques/\u0022 title=\u0022Try some mindfulness techniques\u0022\u003ETry some mindfulness techniques\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EBe aware of and direct our thoughts \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/guess-the-feelings/\u0022 title=\u0022Guess the feelings\u0022\u003EGuess the feelings\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWeigh up information \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/watch-out-fox-is-about/\u0022 title=\u0022Watch out, fox is about\u0022\u003EWatch out, fox is about\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMake decisions that are right for ourselves and for others \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/meet-the-local-supporters/\u0022 title=\u0022Meet the local supporters\u0022\u003EMeet the local supporters\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ESolve problems \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/lost-and-found/\u0022 title=\u0022Lost and found\u0022\u003ELost and found\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EPause before we act\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EBe flexible \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/clues-for-you/\u0022 title=\u0022Clues for you\u0022\u003EClues for you\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EKeep going \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/run-your-own-sports-day/\u0022 title=\u0022Run your own sports day\u0022\u003ERun your own sports day\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EBounce back \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/heads-or-hands/\u0022 title=\u0022Heads or hands\u0022\u003EHeads or hands\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"Focus our thoughts"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EHow we explore and discover the world around us.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EBe creative \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/creative-spirit/\u0022 title=\u0022Creative spirit\u0022\u003ECreative spirit\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EBe curious \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/go-on-a-youshape-nature-walk/\u0022 title=\u0022Go on a YouShape nature walk\u0022\u003EGo on a YouShape nature walk\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EFeel joy \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/make-a-blanket-book-nook/\u0022 title=\u0022Make a blanket fort\u0022\u003EMake a blanket fort\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"Explore the world"}]},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EEvery interaction matters\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EScience shows that the way that adults interact with children is a critical factor in supporting their social and emotional development. When adults provide nurturing care, appropriate stimulation and supportive guidance, this helps children to develop their social and emotional skills.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFor example, when children have trusting relationships with adults, it can help them feel more confident to explore the world around them. When children experience nurturing relationships with caring adults, it gives them a template to build positive relationships with others.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you\u0027re working with Squirrels, you can consider how you interact with them and guide their activities. It might not feel like it, but every interaction is an opportunity to build vital skills.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood has created a series of short animations which explain the science behind how adults support young people\u2019s social and emotional development. These explain how the simple things you can do every day can build children\u2019s skills.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt could be helpful to watch these animations and discuss them with other adults and parents. Could you do more to nurture young people\u2019s skills through your interactions?\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"callToAction","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","buttonText":"Watch the animations and read more about the science","buttonLink":{"name":"Animations on the Shaping Us website","id":null,"url":"https://centreforearlychildhood.org/help-resources/the-explainer-series/","newWindow":false,"target":"_blank"},"colour":{"value":"ed3f23","label":"ed3f23"},"alignment":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EMore information on the Shaping Us Framework\u003C/h3\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":true,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe framework was created by listening carefully to academic, clinical and practitioner experts. The aim was to develop common agreement on the relevant skills and capabilities that matter most throughout our lives and across different communities and backgrounds.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"How the framework was created"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIt helps us talk more easily about the skills our young people gain.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIt reminds us of the range of skills young people need.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIt provides a guide to organisations and movements like Scouts to help us plan and deliver our programme.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"How it can help us"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe final framework is made up of thirty social and emotional skills grouped into six clusters.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EKnow ourselves\u003C/strong\u003E\u00A0\u2013 Who we are as individuals\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EManage our emotions\u00A0\u003C/strong\u003E\u2013 How we understand, process and manage our emotions\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFocus our thoughts\u003C/strong\u003E\u00A0\u2013 How we effectively learn, work and manage life\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECommunicate with others\u00A0\u003C/strong\u003E\u2013 How we receive and share feelings, thoughts and information\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENurture our relationships\u003C/strong\u003E\u00A0\u2013 How we get along and build relationships with others\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExplore the world\u003C/strong\u003E \u2013 How we explore and discover the world around us\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"The six skills clusters"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EYoung people are using and developing social and emotional skills throughout their daily lives, and many of the things you do with them at Squirrels will nurture these skills. For example:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EEvery time a child tries something new and reflects on whether or not they enjoyed it, it helps them to\u00A0\u003Cstrong\u003Eknow themselves\u003C/strong\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EEvery time they have to persist with a difficult task, or overcome a challenge they are\u00A0\u003Cstrong\u003Efocusing their thoughts\u003C/strong\u003E, and perhaps\u00A0\u003Cstrong\u003Emanaging their emotions\u003C/strong\u003E\u00A0too.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWhen they work with their friends and adults, they are likely to be\u00A0\u003Cstrong\u003Ecommunicating and building relationships\u003C/strong\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAnd of course, so much of what happens at Scouts helps children to\u00A0\u003Cstrong\u003Eexplore the world\u003C/strong\u003E around them.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"Bringing the framework to life"}]}]},{"items":[{"type":"Image top","cta":"Order the Shaping Us blanket badge","body":"\u003Cp\u003EWe\u2019re delighted that a special Shaping Us badge is available to support this work and raise the profile of the framework.\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"Shaping Us badge on Scout Store","id":null,"url":"https://shop.scouts.org.uk/new-in/shaping-us-framework-blanket-badge-30465#selection.size=7331\u0026selection.color=34","newWindow":false,"target":"_blank"},"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"The Shaping Us badge","image":"/media/oszd2duw/the-shaping-us-framework-badge.jpeg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dc63757d312b10","imageFocus":"","imageId":87994,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"quoteText":"The Shaping Us Framework is designed to provide an accessible way of focusing on social and emotional skills. 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