Zones of Regulation: We have recently introduced the children to the zones of regulation. The zones of regulation help children to understand different emotions and how to respond in an appropriate way. It is used as a way to share their emotions and learn different ways of regulating themselves at different times.
For more information on each zone, click the link to read more. https://zonesofregulation.com/what-are-the-four-zones-of-regulation/
We don't wait until our children's teeth are falling out to educate them on how to look after their dental health, and, at Elm Wood, we believe we should be just as proactive with our school curriculum in order to learn about mental health and wellbeing from a young age. This is done in a well-sequenced and age-appropriate way.
Mental Health and Well-Being is taught explicitly during PSHE lessons throughout the year. In addition to this, we have built a stand alone Mental Health curriculum, supported by The Lily Jo Project, that is taught every 'Well-being Wednesday'. The children will have many different focuses throughout the year such as Understanding Mental Health, Self Esteem, Anxiety, Bullying and Racism.
Our unique and diverse curriculum supports all children to understand that wellbeing is key to living a happy and successful life. Our aim is to give pupils the information they need to make good decisions about their mental health. Both our whole school offer and more individualised support enables children to recognise what is normal and what is an issue in both themselves and others. In addition, they know how to seek support if and when issues arise.
A key part of our curriculum is promoting pupils’ self-control and ability to self-regulate using a range of strategies thus enabling them to become confident in their ability to achieve well and persevere even when they encounter setbacks. In addition, stigma is reduced through the normalisation of discussions surrounding mental health and an atmosphere of open communication and honesty is fostered through the development of trusting and supportive relationships. This integrated, whole-school approach to the teaching of good mental health also has a positive impact on behaviour and attainment.
As per the DfE guidelines, by the end of their time at Elm Wood, pupils 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
As stated in the DfE guidance on mental health and behaviour in schools, schools have an important role to play in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of their pupils, by developing approaches tailored to the particular needs of their pupils. All schools are under a statutory duty to promote the welfare of their pupils, which includes: preventing impairment of children’s health or development and taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.
Early intervention to identify issues and provide effective support is crucial. The school role in supporting and promoting mental health and wellbeing can be summarised as:
1. Prevention: creating a safe and calm environment where mental health problems are less likely, improving the mental health and well-being of the whole school population, and equipping pupils to be resilient so that they can manage the normal stress of life effectively. This will include teaching pupils about mental well-being through the curriculum and reinforcing this teaching through school activities and ethos.
2. Identification: recognising emerging issues as early and accurately as possible.
3. Individualised support: helping pupils to access evidence based early support and interventions.
4. Access to external services: working effectively with external agencies to provide swift access or referrals to specialist support and treatment.
Our mental health offer ranges from whole class provision, small group intervention and bespoke 1:1 support. Our pupils are taught self-care techniques, including recognising and managing emotions, exercise, relaxation and how to build relationships through a rich and varied curriculum. We foster an open culture when it comes to discussing mental health and wellbeing.
We have a huge range of mental health and wellbeing provision in school, including:
- Lego Therapy
- Wellbeing Wednesday Sessions
- Zones of Regulation
- Bespoke provision in classrooms
- Gem in the Jar days
- Extra curricula activities
- Ambassadors
- Sports Leaders
- Well-being champions
- Growth Mindset teaching approach - restorative conversations
Tips to support parents' wellbeing may be found here.
Thismayhelp: https://thismayhelp.me/ Practical advice on a range of issues affecting children's mental health.
Anna Freud: https://www.annafreud.org/parents-and-carers/ Advice and guidance for parents and carers to help them support a child experiencing poor mental health or wellbeing.
Rochdale Minds: https://www.rochdalemind.org.uk/ Rochdale mind are an independent, local mental health charity who have been providing services to those within the Borough of Rochdale for 35 years! They are focused on healing and recovery, and supporting people to lead happy, fulfilling lives through a range of services and group sessions
#Thrive: https://www.penninecare.nhs.uk/thrive #Thrive support children and young people, aged up to 19 years, who are experiencing emotional health and wellbeing issues (e.g. feeling stressed, worried or not enjoying things). #Thrive can also provide advice and support to parents, carers and anyone that works with a child or young person.
Zones of regulation: http://www.zonesofregulation.com/index.html Link to information on this resource for supporting children and young people with emotional regulation.
Talk to us!
Open and honest communication is at the heart of all that we do. In school, we have clear systems and processes in place to identify possible mental health and wellbeing concerns, including routes to escalate concerns and clear referral and accountability systems. Our aim is to create a safe and supportive environment to promote good mental health, normalise discussions and strengthen resilience- all of which are preventative measures to reduce the number of serious mental health problems occurring.
If you have any queries or concerns about your child’s mental health or the provision in school, please do not hesitate to get in touch by contacting your child’s class teacher, the school office or a member of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Team:
_______________________________________________________________________
Designated Safeguarding Leads:
G Holt (Headteacher) - head@elmwoodps.co.uk
L Rodgers (Deputy Headteacher) lindsay.rodgers@elmwoodps.co.uk
V Goodall (Pastoral Officer) victoria.goodall@elmwoodps.co.uk
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L Diaper (Mental Health & Well-Being Lead) - lewis.diaper@elmwoodps.co.uk
How to get your 5 a day
We have given some ideas and suggestions about how you can introduce the five ways to wellbeing into your every day routine.
Connect: Connecting with the people around us is a great way to remind ourselves that we’re important and valued by others.
Here are some suggestions for staying connected:
- Arrange to meet people regularly. Monthly dinner dates with friends or join a local interest group.
- Reach out to somebody you’ve lost contact with. Send them a letter or give them a call to let them know you are thinking about them.
- Take some time to get to know your neighbours. Invite them around for a cup of tea.
Be active: We know that there’s a link between staying active and positive mental health and wellbeing.
By making sure we are regularly moving our bodies, we can look after our mental and physical health at the same time.
Here are some ways to be active:
- Go for a walk during your lunch break or walk to work
- Try activities that bring your focus to the mind-body connection such as yoga or tai chi
- Make time for joyful movement, such as dancing
- Join a local sports club – is there a sport you have always wanted to try?
Take Notice: Taking notice of our thoughts, emotions and surroundings is a great way to stay present and pay attention to our needs
Here’s some suggestions around taking notice:
- Take up a mindful hobby like knitting or journaling
- Write down three things in your life you feel grateful for
- Allocate time in the evening to reflect on what went well that day
Keep learning: Learning new things is a good way to meet new people and boost our self confidence, which in turn improves our mental health and wellbeing.
Here are some ideas to keep learning:
- Try out a new recipe once in a while
- Book yourself onto a wellbeing course or training session
- Join a class to learn a new language or musical instrument
- Learn something new about the people around you
Give: Research has found a link between doing good things and an increase in wellbeing.
Here are some suggestions to give more
- Try and do one kind thing every day
- Recycle your waste and give back to the environment
- Become a Health in Mind Hero by giving your time through volunteering or fundraising.