17/06/2026
This afternoon, after school, I was standing on my slackboard, swinging a rope around and trying not to fall off. This was my play time, and I had a blast combining my Golden Teacher with my Slackboard.
As a teacher working with children and young people with additional needs, I use the PACE approach every day. PACE stands for Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy. It is a cornerstone of trauma-informed practice and helps create safety, trust and connection. Not so long ago, it dawned in me that it applies just as powerfully to movement, training and coaching.
Playfulness gives us permission to explore without fear of failure.
Acceptance reminds us that we do not need to be perfect. We simply need to start where we are.
Curiosity encourages us to experiment, learn and discover what we are capable of.
Empathy allows us to treat ourselves with kindness when things do not go to plan.
This was my first attempt at rope flow on a slackboard.
I was not trying to master it or impress anyone. I was simply playing, exploring, learning and having a whole load of fun at the same time.
I beleive that this is something many of us lose as adults, because we become so focused on outcomes that we forget the value of the process.
Growth does not always come from pushing harder. Often it comes from being playful enough to try, accepting enough to be a beginner, curious enough to explore, and compassionate enough to keep going.
That is PACE.
Not just for teaching.
Not just for coaching.
For life.