This is a set of emotional development ELSA Session Plans for pupils to learn about new Emotional vocabulary. These plans are useful for KS2 upwards. They could possibly used for Year 2 with extra support. Included in the pack is a 18 page file with 5 sessions, some of them can be repeated with different emotions. All the supporting paper resources are included too. The sessions are split into: Learning objective What you need Activity Challenge and further work I think these plans will be useful for new ELSAs and those who just don’t have time allocated for planning. Pupils being able to identify and say how they are feeling can massively reduce the emotion they are feeling. Pupils emotional development is key to good Emotional literacy.

The intervention Who is if for? This Anxiety and Worries Group intervention is for a group of up to six children and is led by a teaching assistant. The focus age range would be 7 to 11, although older pupils would probably benefit from this intervention. Children who worry a lot would be a good focus group for this intervention. It runs for approximately 40-60 minutes, weekly for six weeks. What does it cover? This Anxiety and Worries Group intervention covers emotions, relaxation, calming down techniques and learning objectives around anxiety and worries. Children will learn about emotions during each session and will also learn relaxation and calming techniques through the ‘relaxation time’. This knowledge and these skills will help them to become more emotionally literate. The warm-up games teach a variety of skills such as co-operation, team work, taking turns, communication skills, friendship, self-esteem and confidence. The coming together of a group fosters a sense of belonging and therefore raises self-esteem. Every opportunity should be taken to promote belonging and friendship. Relaxation exercises will help children to manage their anxiety and these are visited each session. Information on Anxieties and worries It is important to mention that anxiety is such a big problem and affects people in different ways and at different things. Sometimes there appears to be no reason for the anxiety. This intervention is about giving children the knowledge to help themselves and to gain a little understanding about what anxiety is. It is NOT about fixing children’s problems but about supporting them through their problems. Anxiety work needs to be done by professionals who have training in counselling or psychology. An ELSA or TA can offer knowledge and support and it is important that this line is not crossed and boundaries are clear. By giving children the self-awareness, knowledge and some relaxation skills you are empowering them to help themselves cope. If you are ever worried about a child then please do refer them on to professional services so they can get the help they need. What’s included in the pack? A planning booklet with 6 session plans. Circle time rules Warm up games for circle-time Assessments Emotion wheels Emotion wordmat Certificates Five Star Breathing poster NEEDS to know Poster Emotion cards NEEDS to know cards Anxiety physical symptoms cards Where in your body worksheet Anxiety cards Coping strategies poster Worry tree Thought bubbles (ants) Changing those thoughts worksheet Zap anxiety poster My Five a day plan ELSA/Teaching Assistant notes

Transition to another school or class – My idea for this is that this can be built with a child, combining lessons and creativity and craft. Each component can be a lesson or part of a lesson. It is something for the child to take away at the end of your sessions. You could easily fill 4 to 6 lessons with what is in this lapbook. There are two versions, one in black and white so the child can colour the lettering etc and one in colour where they can just cut and stick. There are two alternative back covers which you can choose to add to the lapbook. One is a game about ‘Changes’ and the other is a weekly feelings diary. Of course you could add one of those to the back cover and just use the other separately. This resource could be a fantastic end of term project for a Year 6 teacher. The children will love all the little pockets and will be making something to be proud of. Included in the transition lapbook is: Name – child writes their name in a colourful way – they could write in bubble writing or decorate it anyway they wish. Picture– either take a photo of the child to stick here or ask them to draw themselves. Front cover title – Moving on My new school or new class worries – What sort of things are they worried about? Use the little monster writing sheets for children to write down their worries to put in the little pocket. Discuss these at each session and help to reassure the child about the changes that will happen when they move class or school. Questions about my new school or class – This is a perfect opportunity to answer all those questions about the new school or class. My autograph and message book – Let them collect autographs and messages from friends to take on with them to the next school or class. My goals and targets – This is a little layered book. The child has to come up with a target for the rest of the term, a target for the summer holidays and a target for the new school or class. All about me tag book – Lots of questions to answer in this little tag book. Treasure chest – Includes concertina books with some prompts but also includes a blank so you can ask different questions. The treasure box could contain anything that the child wants to keep safe. They could pop some little photos in there too. A letter to my future self – What do they hope for in the future? How can they see themselves when they are in the next class or in their new school. What will they be doing? What will they have achieved? Will they have new friends? A letter could also be written telling their future self of what they are doing now, any of their concerns or worries etc. Friends – The child can write their friend’s name and finish the image to look like their friend. All their friends can fit into the little pocket. Changes game (back cover) Feelings diary (alternative back cover)

Included in the Thankful Tree pack is *Giant tree with sky background *72 leaves with vocabulary *Banner *Black and white leaves for writing *Leaves in a variety of shapes and colours for display. The tree is in PDF format and if you use Adobe to open it, then you can choose any size you like and piece together the pieces. I have included one in the Thankful Tree pack that is ready to print on A4 pieces. This will promote a positive attitude and help increase happiness. Gratefulness or thankfulness is a fabulous habit to get into and helps to change that mindset.

This is a body sensations resource pack containing lots of ways to explore body sensations linked to emotion. Included in this resource pack: 4 different skin coloured body shapes (A3 size) and 1 in black and white, each showing a blank box for writing a feeling word and a scale to scale how big the feeling is. 48 image cards 96 sensation describing word cards 48 parts of the body cards 36 colour cards for describing what colour your emotions are Condensed A4 mat for discussion about feelings, sensations , sensation words and colours. A blank sheet for adding any other sensations, body parts, colours that might be needed. Visual representation of sizes for younger children. Purpose of the resource To identify body feelings and sensations. How do we feel in our bodies when we are anxious, angry, worried, happy, scared etc? Do we feel tingly, numb, wobbly, trembly, hot, empty and so on? This resource is a way for children to tell you how they are feeling in their bodies. The image cards can be used for children to place on the body shape where they are feeling this sensation. The words could be used instead of the images in the same way. They could also be used together. This resource is set up for A3 printing. Laminate all of the pieces so you can use it over and over for different children. This is suitable for children of all ages. If laminated the child could also use a dry wipe pen to draw facial expressions associated with the feeling they have. They can mark off on the scale how big their feeling is. There are some cards at the end of this pack with some visual representations of big, medium and small for very young children. If the child is unsure of body parts spend a little time going through the cards and placing them where they go on the body. You could make this a bit of a game. ‘Where is the scalp?’ The child can put the word where they think the scalp should be. What feelings do you get in your scalp if you are angry? They might pick the fire or pick hot. They might pick prickly or a picture of a brush. There are so many ways to use this resource with children to talk about their feelings. You could even use it as an interactive display. It is A3 size so you could have the body on the wall with the cards around the body so pupils could pick one of the picture or word cards and place it with a bit of bluetak onto the body where they feel that emotion. This is such a versatile resource and I think you will use it a lot.

This is an anger support plan resource pack for older pupils who need help with anger. Perfect for ELSA SUPPORT. The plan is a useful reminder for them and others on what they need to look out for, do, or remember when their feelings of anger get too much. The resource is aimed at upper KS2 and Secondary. The plan is meant to be worked through with an adult. When pupils are angry they need that all important one to one or small group support. Helping pupils to manage their anger is the end result of all the work you do with them. The plan must be done with the worksheet pack . Included in the anger support plan pack Fillable form version of the support plan – pupils can fill this in on the computer PDF form for printing and writing out by hand 9 worksheets working through all the points on the plan 3 information sheets with examples of thought challenging questions, assertiveness script and body signs The 9 worksheets and activities included are: Anger triggers Body signs What makes anger worse? What do I need when feeling angry? Where is my safe place? Questions to challenge anger What might distract me? Who can I talk to? What coping strategies can I use?

Suggested benefits include: Concentration and attention span – it is so easy to get completely engrossed in your design Thinking skills – thinking what pattern to do next, what will look good! Mindfulness – a sense of mindfulness and being completed absorbed in the activity Relaxation – a true sense of relaxation as you are only thinking about your patterns Hand eye co-ordination – speaks for itself, try it! Self-esteem – creating something beautiful that looks amazing! Stress relief – if you feel stressed give it a go. You will be amazed Self soothing – it is such a soothing activity and if you feel upset or anxious it will make you feel better Ok to make mistakes – your mistakes can be incorporated into your design Problem solving – how can you incorporate your mistakes into your design? Fine motor skills – making those tiny patterns Nurturing creative abilities – allowing everyone to be creative Expanding your imagination – let your imagination go and just create! Creative expression – allows you to create your own design and express yourself Great fun! Simple to learn – each stroke of the pen or pencil is simple No planned outcome – you don’t know yet how your design will end up. Included in the pack: 35 shapes all sectioned off 32 of those shapes all blank for pupils to section off 26 Letters of the alphabet sectioned off 26 Letters of the alphabet left blank for pupil to section off

This is a set of 56 anxiety cards with lots of helpful tips on how to manage anxiety. These can be used with children from KS2 upwards. There are 8 cards to an A4 sheet of paper. Use them as a focus for your sessions or just to read through and discuss with your pupils.

This FRIENDSHIP intervention planning resource pack is ready to go. Just print and deliver! This pack is suitable for WHOLE CLASS as well as group work. If there are teachers out there who have children who just don’t get along then try running this as an intervention during PSHE time. Each lesson will take approximately 40 minutes to an hour. It is perfect for an ELSA or teaching assistant who has to work with a group of children with friendship issues. Included in this pack: FRIENDS certificates (children colour in a letter after each lesson and take them away at the end of the intervention). 7 planning sessions which could be done over several weeks. 40 positive friendship cards The Key to deserving good friends worksheet Five posters looking at skills for empathy. Skills for empathy bookmarks for the children to take away A ‘Friend’ venn worksheet. Heart friends template How to apologise bookmark for the children to take away after the lesson.

Express yourself Art Doodling is a series of prompts for drawing. Children get so much from drawing. It is a way of self expression and self exploration. Children relax when drawing and are much more open to talking about their feelings. This booklet can be printed as A4 and stapled together or as A3 to give children more room for drawing. You could also just dip into the sheets and print the one you want to use. You could use the same sheet for the whole group or whole class of children. The booklet has purposely been created in black and white so as not to distract from the child’s drawings and of course to save printing costs. There are 40 activities in the booklet covering so many aspects of emotional literacy. I am sure children will get a lot out of the booklet and it will give you valuable information about their thoughts and feelings. It can also be used as a ready made lesson plan for one to one work or group work. Please ensure you use ADOBE to open PDFs because this will give you great options for printing.

This is a HUGE ELSA Secondary worksheet bundle with 68 worksheets that will be helpful for secondary pupils. It will also be good for upper KS2 or for those more mature pupils. It will also be helpful for adults too. All the worksheets are black and white for easy and cost effective printing. There is minimal clipart. Areas covered are: Self-esteem Emotions Wellbeing Anxiety They can be used individually with pupils, with groups of pupils and whole classes of pupils. Build your lesson around a worksheet. You could make up a workbook for each child you are working with to help with their specific problems by carefully choosing worksheets that would help them.

These Flipbooks are brilliant for working with children. Each flipbook concentrates on different areas. Included in the pack 18 emotion books which use our senses to describe each emotion An ‘About me’ book 3 books dealing with negative feelings such as anger, anxiety and sadness A book dealing with ‘Restorative Practice’ A book on increasing happiness 24 flipbooks all together.

This is an anxiety booklet to help children understand their anxiety and find ways to cope with it. There are 30 pages in the booklet which covers scaling, fight/flight, vocabulary, the worry tree, real worries as opposed to hypothetical worries, worry plans, breathing techniques, mindfulness, coping strategies, negative thinking, self talk and much more. There are pages for pupils to show what they have learnt so far and there is a quiz at the end of the booklet. There is also a diary to take away to log any worries. This is offered in two different ways to cater for different needs. It also has a monster scale and some mandala colouring sheets.

This wellbeing craft group can be used as a whole intervention at lunchtime clubs, after school clubs or as part of your ELSA work. The sessions are all stand alone so could be dipped into as part of your sessions. You could use them for the first session with a child to help them feel calm and relaxed with you. Making crafts is very satisfying and can help with mindfulness, low mood and self esteem. There are lots of opportunities for discussion and children will often open up when crafting. There are 6 sessions in the pack with planning, templates, emotion wheel and mindful colouring for early finishers. 67 Sheets in total. Sessions are for approximately 30 minutes and include an emotion check in, planning for six sessions which includes a mindfulness/calming activity, mandalas for mindful colouring – useful for early finishers and a huge template pack which includes several variations of each craft, black and white versions, information, and instructions. Wellbeing craft group activities: Sleepy stars which is about getting a good night’s sleep Kandinsky tree which is about colour and emotions Relaxing jellyfish which addresses relaxation and contains affirmations for the word relax. Worry Monsters which looks at worries Friendship wreath which looks at qualities of friendship Happy sunshine which is all about things that make them feel happy

This bundle of posters and worksheets will help you explore physical signs of 10 different emotions with your pupils. I have included a learning objective to go with each worksheet. The pack contains the following: 10 Posters covering the emotions/feelings of Worried, happy, sad, angry, irritated, surprised, disgusted, embarrassed, tired and scared. 10 Worksheets covering their signs and sensations 10 Worksheets covering their physical appearance when feeling an emotion 10 Worksheets concentrating on different areas of the body for them to colour 8 Worksheets for coping skills.

This Rise and Thrive Teen self-esteem intervention is suitable for pupils in secondary. It may also be useful for mature year 6 pupils. It is a group intervention for approximately 6 pupils. It could be run whole class too. Self-esteem refers to how a person views and values themselves. It involves having a positive opinion about your own worth, abilities, and qualities. When someone has healthy self-esteem, they feel confident, capable, and deserving of love and respect. Self-esteem is important because it influences how you perceive yourself, how you interact with others, how you handle challenges in life and your mental wellbeing. An estimate of timings would be: Review last time and check in 10 minutes Activity 30 minutes Review 5 minutes Next time 5 minutes Make sure you have 50 minutes to an hour to run the intervention. There are six sessions to this intervention which will all help to raise self-esteem. Boosters and drainers – pupils will explore what boosts self-esteem and what drains self-esteem Strengths and talents -pupils will explore their strengths and talents Challenging negative self-talk – pupils will learn how to reframe their negative dialogue Building resilience – pupils will explore how to build their resilience by facing challenges and setbacks Healthy and unhealthy relationships – pupils will explore relationships Impact of self-care – pupils will learn the importance of self-care and the impact that has on self-esteem Included in the Rise and Thrive teen self-esteem intervention: Planning booklet with 6 fully planned sessions Self-esteem scale for scaling at the beginning and end of the intervention Lesson 1 – 36 Booster and drainer cards, Booster and drainer worksheet, emotions and self esteem visual Lesson 2 – 40 strength cards, Building my strengths worksheet Lesson 3 – Inner dialogue list for prompting, Challenging my inner dialogue worksheet Lesson 4 – Resilience diary – front cover and one sheet to be copied multiple times Lesson 5 – 8 prompts cards for relationships, Profile of a healthy relationship worksheet Lesson 6 – Self care plan worksheet

A free self esteem poster for teens and young people.

This gratitude jar will help children look for the positives in their lives. Gratitude according to Positive psychology is strongly linked to being happy. I have done lots of jar activities but think that gratitude is such an important one so deserves its own post. This resources has a jar with and without lines. It also has a long list of suggestions/prompts to encourage children to reflect on things they are grateful or thankful for. The jar without lines can be decorated with pictures, photographs and words. Make it colourful. It could also be used each day and the child adds just one thing for that day they are grateful or thankful for. Of course you could make an actual jar with a lovely label and ask the child to fill it each day with things they are grateful for.

This is an anger scale poster or visual for display or for showing pupils who struggle with anger. It could also be put up in classrooms or work areas.