Children's Mental Health Week - KS1

Mental health is how we feel, think, and act.

Just like we care for our bodies, we also need to care for our minds.

But how do we stay happy and healthy?

Moving our bodies, eating healthy food, making friends, playing, and enjoying art, sport, and music, are all things that help us to have good mental wellbeing.

Having positive mental wellbeing means feeling good most of the time and recognising when you aren't feeling so good, and what you can do about it.

So what if you're not feeling good?

It is healthy not to feel happy all of the time.

Part of being human is to feel lots of different emotions.

Some feel good but some feel bad.

Everybody feels sad, worried and angry at times.

Most feelings are temporary, they might feel big and upsetting at the time, or they might feel like they will last forever, but all feelings move on.

When we are experiencing feelings that make us unhappy, there are ways to help make us feel calmer, such as breathing exercises, listening to music, drawing or any other activity that makes you feel happy.

We all enjoy doing different things.

Some people may enjoy reading, others might like singing, some might like playing football.

If something is upsetting you, or making you feel worried, talk to an adult that you feel safe with, this could be a parent, teacher or carer.

They will be able to work out what to do to help you feel better or help you feel a little less stressed, anxious or uncomfortable.

If you think that your friend is having difficulties with their mental health, encourage them to talk to an adult who they trust.

It’s important to make sure that an adult is aware when someone is not well physically or mentally so that they can help you to feel better again.

Trying to stay healthy and active and spending time with people we like is the best way to help keep our minds and bodies feeling great each day.

What A beautiful day to be amazingly active! And so many possibilities.

Jasper gently jogs past before Aria races past him.

Jogging or running is great exercise, and you can race your friends. Woah that’s fast, that’s called sprinting!

We see Josh jumping on the spot.

Star jumps are also fun, or hopping on one leg. skipping with a rope. Great idea!

Jasper hops in as the teacher gets ready to skip with a rope and trips on the first try.

Oops!

Teacher trips over the skipping rope.

Good shot.

We see a football being kicked around.

Playing sport is also a good way to stay fit and healthy.

Daisy throws a netball into a net. Josh pops up with a cricket bat and ball before we see Jasper hitting a ball with a hockey stick.

Football, netball, cricket or hockey are all team sports.

But just lobbing or batting a ball can be just as much fun. Especially when you catch it as well.

The teacher is waiting hands out ready to catch but gets bombarded by lots of balls.

Phew, it can be a lot of effort and use a lot of energy to stay active. But it’s always worth it, even if you are totally exhausted. Keep it up!

Funny friends!

Jasper is holding a ball looking sad

Oh no, have you fallen out with your friend?

We see Josh with a skipping rope.

Aaah! The problem was you wanted to play different games, and you had an argument.

Jasper and Josh turn their back to each other.

It’s ok to disagree with our friends. But we shouldn’t be mean or say hurtful words.

Sometimes we need to be patient, take a break to reflect on what happened and calm down.

Then we can be kind and help each other discuss our problems, to understand how we feel.

Josh holds up a second skipping rope to Jasper who takes the rope.

Friends are thoughtful people you can trust. They cheer us up.

The ball get kicked really hard and flies off and lands near Aria.

Making new friends can be difficult. Let’s introduce ourselves, maybe share our toys.

You might know what it’s like to feel blue and have sympathy for how they might be feeling.

They stop and hold up the skipping rope and the ball to Aria.

And let’s not forget, you can have a friendshipgroup.

One of the parents is about to eat an ice cream when a seagull swoops down and steals it.

Oh dear, I don’t think they’re friends.