Calmer Kids & Calmer Classrooms
This is me, Mrs Morris.
(Also known as The Mental Health Teacher!)
Welcome to our ‘Calm Community’,
a place where we put children & teachers’ well-being
at the heart of what we do.
We create Children’s Mental Health resources
designed for classroom teachers to create
Calmer Kids and Calmer Classrooms 🙂Â
The Range of our Resources Include:
‘Follow-along’ Videos
for practical, short, quick and easy well-being techniques that teach the pupils how to self-regulate their emotions and energy levels.
No previous knowledge is needed from the teachers or pupilsÂ
Worksheets
for pupils to ‘Record & Reflect’ on their well-being practice
Instruction Cards
for pupils to take ownership of their own mental well-being
Scripts
for school staff who have no prior knowledge
to lead their pupils through a mental wellness practice no matter where you are.
Try a selection of our videos with your class on our popular YouTube Channel!
Here are ‘Rainbow Relaxation’ and ‘Though Bubbles’.
Why teach practical mental wellness techniques?
‘1 in 6 children currently have a probable mental health disorder. This is 5 in every classroom.’ (up from 1 in every 9 in 2017), NHS, July 2020
‘1 in 5 children will experience a mental health difficulty at least once during primary school.’, WHO, 2003
‘Over half of all mental health problems start before the age of 14.’, Kessler et al., 2005
‘75% of children with a mental health disorder aren’t receiving any treatment.’, The Children’s Society, 2020
Why use the videos in your school?
Evidence-Based Mental Health Techniques
All of the videos and resources are centred around
MINDFULNESS
but they also include…
Understanding our Emotions,
Yoga stretches,
Breathing techniques,
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT),
Gratitude,
Positivity,
Kindness and more!
It has SO many scientifically-proven benefits when practised regularly.
Here are a few:
Improved behaviour
Increased optimism and happiness
More empathy and compassion
Improved academic performance
Better focus and concentration
Calms and relaxes
How does ‘Mental Wellness’ fit into the school curriculum?
National Curriculum 2020 Update
In September 2020, the National Curriculum for England was updated to include 3 new subjects – Relationships Education; Relationships and Sex Education; and Health Education. This was to replace ‘PSHE’ which had no statutory guidance with it.Â
Under ‘Health Education’, primary school children should be taught about Mental Wellbeing, Internet Safety & Harms, Physical Health & Fitness, Healthy Eating, Drugs, Alcohol & Tobacco, Health & Prevention, Basic First Aid and Changing Adolescent Body.
Health Education
‘Mental Wellbeing’ will be taught in every state school in England under ‘Health Education’ lessons.
Pupils should know:
- that mental wellbeing is a normal part of daily life, in the same way as physical health ✅
- that there is a normal range of emotions (e.g. happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, nervousness) and scale of emotions that all humans experience in relation to different experiences and situations✅
- how to recognise and talk about their emotions, including having a varied vocabulary of words to use when talking about their own and others’ feelings✅
- how to judge whether what they are feeling and how they are behaving is appropriate and proportionate
- the benefits of physical exercise, time outdoors, community participation, voluntary and service-based activity on mental wellbeing and happiness
- simple self-care techniques, ✅ including the importance of rest, time spent with friends and family and the benefits of hobbies and interests
- isolation and loneliness can affect children and that it is very important for children to discuss their feelings with an adult and seek support
- that bullying (including cyberbullying) has a negative and often lasting impact on mental wellbeing
- where and how to seek support (including recognising the triggers for seeking support), including whom in school they should speak to if they are worried about their own or someone else’s mental wellbeing or ability to control their emotions (including issues arising online)
- it is common for people to experience mental ill health. For many people who do, the problems can be resolved if the right support is made available, especially if accessed early enough✅
The ticked statements are the ones that our program covers.
How to teach ‘Mental Well-being’ lessons?
There is a wealth of research and scientific evidence
which shows that mindfulness is an effective
way to improve behaviour and academic performance
Mindfulness puts the brain in a state of rest
which is 5x deeper than sleep!
