Wellbeing

Wellbeing

At Pope Paul Catholic Primary School, we recognise the importance of Mental Health and Wellbeing and are committed to promoting a healthy body and mind with all of our school community. We want to continue to focus on ensuring that effective practice and provision is in place which promotes the emotional wellbeing and mental health of both staff, pupils and all members of our school community.

We endeavour to develop these practices where necessary and ensure that wellbeing continues to be embedded in the long-term culture of our school. We wish to create an ethos at Pope Paul where mental health is regarded as the responsibility of all.

Over the course of their education, children spend over 7,800 hours at school. With such a huge amount of time spent in the classroom, schools provide an ideal environment for promoting good emotional wellbeing and identifying early behaviour changes and signs of mental distress. The social and emotional skills, knowledge and behaviours that young people learn in the classroom can help them to build resilience and set the pattern for how they will manage their mental health throughout their lives.

The last year has been very challenging especially if you are a parent. It is normal and entirely understandable if you’re feeling overwhelmed frustrated, worried or exhausted. You might be finding it harder than ever at the moment to know how to best look after your child’s mental health and wellbeing, as well as your own. If you are struggling, you are not alone. Here are some resources that can really help. Please click on the picture link to access the resources.

As with any internet access adult supervision is necessary when using these resources.

Whilst every effort has been made to evaluate these sites for content, we cannot be responsible for the content of external Internet site.

Wellbeing put into practice

Putting the five ways to wellbeing into practice is easy – and you may already be doing these without even knowing it.

1. Connecting
Take time to talk about feelings and listen.
Share mealtimes to talk about their day.
Find activities you can enjoy together as a family.

2. Be Active
Go for a walk, run, skip, cycle, dance – whatever they may enjoy, indoors or outdoors.
Exercise is a mood booster and a great way to feel good.

3. Take Notice
Take them out to a park, woods, or even a different part of the town so they can enjoy a varied environment.
Encourage them to notice how they are feeling and how they can process their emotions in a positive way.

4. Keep Learning
Learning isn’t just for school. Encourage them to read ‘just for fun’.
Pass on skills like cooking, sewing, model making, photography and DIY so they know that learning can be fun.

5. Give
Help them to be kind, share and show interest in others.
Encourage them to do something nice for a friend, family member or charity.

Talking Mental Health

We all have Mental Health

Calendars 2021

These monthly calendars are packed with actions you can take to help create a happier and kinder world. Always ask an adult to help when doing these activities. If you require these calendars in different languages, please click here and select the calendar you require.

Active April Click here

Mindful March Calendar Click here

Friendly February Calendar Click here

Happy January Calendar 2021 Click here

Seven Ways to Support Children and Young People Who Are Worried

Clinicians at the Anna Freud Centre have developed seven ways that we consider to be best practice in responding to children and young people’s fears.

7 Ways to Help Children Who are Worried -Anna Freud

Healthy Lifestyle

Please select from the resources below.

BBC Bitesize – Emotional Wellbeing KS1 – Years 1 and 2

BBC Bitesize – Emotional Wellbeing KS2 – Years 3-6

Intraquest – Bedtime ideas for anxious children

Young Minds – Tips for creating a routine during self-isolation

Healthy Little Foodies – Cooking with Kids

Change for Life – Disney Inspired Indoor Activities for Kids

Guided Meditation

Early Years (Nursery and Reception

Key Stage One (Years 1 and 2)

Lower Key Stage Two (Years 3 and 4)

Upper Key Stage Two (Years 5 and 6)

Mindfulness Activities

Please select from the resources below.

The Squiggle Game The Squiggle Game – Children’s Mental Health Week 2021 – YouTube

How to make a sensory bottle https://youtu.be/D7zp7KbxbKY

Continuous line drawing https://youtu.be/xWhXbBaCfxw

Positive Doodling https://youtu.be/fSTpxG70C8g

Six creative ideas with stones https://youtu.be/TW9vXkt7rMg

Mandela stone painting https://youtu.be/dWxyUqfWYfs

Mindfulness art https://youtu.be/sBHF-ETvSBY

How to make homemade playdough https://youtu.be/jv73CEzY1jg

Kids breathing hand exercises https://youtu.be/S4zsL-WXuFM

Breathing Exercises

Belly Breathing

Rainbow Breathing

Square Breathing

If you would like any further advice or support from school, please speak to a member of staff.

Please see below for mental health & well-being information, signposting to local services and advice for parents. The link is embedded in the image also.