So let us look at three ways that I have found helpful. And that is observation, parental concerns and risk factors as being aware of risk factors. It does start with the observation. observation is a very crucial tool that has been used in psychology and has been used in the teaching profession as well. Psychologists use it in the collection of information about behaviors and emotions, and also use it to make conclusions in various ways. And it's one way that information has been gathered about children, mental health for years and years and years.

So it's not something that is new, but something has been formed very, very valuable. Now with teachers, teachers always gather information through observation in the classroom, in the yard during lunch, Right in the, in the restaurant, the restaurants, everywhere, anywhere where the child is the use observation and pick up information from that, that they use to help this child or you know, to empower this child. So observation is not something that is new, it's a tool that is being used all the time for parents is the same a parent, you know, can only know whether their child is okay or isn't by observing them. So, that is something that is used all the time with parents, you know, parents always observe their children and all admit conclusions based on their observations, but how can it be done well, good observation involves noting down what happened before, during and after the incident.

That is, that information will be helpful in the sense that it will give you the full details and help you in making up your decision of whether Really this is a concern, or it's just a mental issue. The child is just going through some form of Nevada mental challenge. And if you not that the incident is happening frequently with same sequence then there is something of course, another thing as well is important observe the child in different settings. Now, children behave differently in different settings, but if you find this consistent, then that's something for you to keep an eye on, you know, or it is an indicator that there is a problem. So, try to make sure that you observe the child in different settings, very important both for teachers of parents, and a frontline staff, working with children, observe them in different settings. It is also important that we do not have the duration of the caveat or emotion because children go through you know this emotions at all times, and sometimes It's very important we do, not how long it has lasted two minutes, five minutes, 15 minutes, have they been screaming for 10 minutes, they isolating themselves for 15 minutes or for the whole break.

We have to note that it also gives us some bit of information we need to come up with an informed, you know, conclusion with regards to observation. So that is that now in terms of those of us who are working in school settings, I'll go on to the parental consent. If a parent comes to you and is concerned about the child, use the information that you've been provided to help this child way forward, or to observe to continue with observation and continue to observe this child in the school setting important is going to help you because at least has been a hint. You've got some private information, you just went to need to be And make a referral signpost adopts the and the classroom activities or the outdoor activities to be able to accommodate this child. I'm now going to go on to risk practice.