The theme this year is 'Know Yourself, Grow Yourself'. It is so important we understand what makes us tic, our likes and dislikes, strengths, fears, hopes and dreams. We need to understand that our emotions play a key role in telling is just that, and being aware of how to listen and express ourselves is a major part of building self awareness. 

It is through knowing ourselves and speaking with others, that we can build resilience, grow and develop. 

Nursery

Nursery joined in with a special live edition of Yoga bugs and the children really enjoyed thinking about their control centre and their different emotions. We read the story about The Colour monster and enjoyed some mindful colouring. Finally, we sang songs about our feelings and looked at different facial expressions for happy, sad, tired, mad, and excited. 

Reception

This week Reception have been talking about keeping their mind and brain healthy. We talked about our feelings and how talking to someone can keep our worries and anxieties away. We have read a number of books across the week to support this including Worrisaurus and Ravi’s Roar amongst others. Children also drew themselves and how they were feeling indoors and outdoors and got outside for some lovely fresh air, as we always do in early years.   In drawing club our book - 'Mixed' was all about colours and mixing and how this feeling of in difference can make us feel different but we talked about how each and everyone of us being unique is a positive and good thing.  The children took part in a range of activities to promote the week.

Year 1

Year 1 have celebrated Mental Health Week by thinking about the story of Elmer the Patchwork Elephant and how he is different, but very beautiful.  They designed their own elephants and shared messages for Elmer so that he doesn’t forget how beautiful he is!

They took part in an interactive assembly and thought about their strengths and what they wanted to develop. They designed their own island to include things that they enjoy and things that help them to keep calm.

At the end of the week, they read the story ‘I love me’ and generated positive affirmations. They looked in the mirror and said their positive affirmations. What a wonderful week they have had! 

Year 2

In Year 2, we have been speaking about our emotions and trying to understand how we can help ourselves and each other when we need it. Among lots of other activities this week, we spoke about creating a 'Safe Space' in our minds that we could visit to help us feel calm. We described our safe space to our partner who had to draw it - this was a good reminder that being a good listener is the best support you can be.

Year 3

Year 3 have spent this week thinking about 'Know yourself, grow yourself'. They thought about how they ensure they support their own mental health by completing activities they enjoy doing now and what they want to achieve in the future. They have listened to a variety of No Outsider stories about how discrimination can be upsetting and how some people can be unkind. We discussed what makes our school amazing and how everyone is welcome. After reading the book 'We're all wonders' we decided on a key message we can share with everyone. 'Look with Kindness and you will find Wonder'. 

Year 4

Every child made a card to tell another child what they like about them. As part of the 'No Outsiders' we thought about how all crayons can mix to create new colours and 'when sadness comes to call' where we thought of all the things we could as a friend who was feeling sad.

Year 5

Year 5 have spent this week celebrating themselves and each other and encouraging and supporting each other to be the very best version of themselves. Throughout the week they have completed and received random acts of kindness, discovered pencil case positive affirmations, spent discovering each individuals' differences and similarities and added to our class complimenTREE.

Year 6

Year 6 enjoyed taking part in this week's online lesson where they learnt the importance of knowing and growing themselves. As part of our 'No Outsiders' focus, we have been discussing the importance of being non-judgemental and supportive of all members in society.

My Mind Matters Pack

Helping children understand and talk about their feelings is one of the most important things we can do as parents, teachers and carers. This pack has been created and it will guide children through fun and thoughtful exercises that will help them explore their emotions and express their feelings in positive, healthy ways.