Using a feelings thermometer is a great tool to help children recognise what feelings they might be experiencing in any given moment. A useful strategy to help children deal with anxiety is for them to become aware of what level their anxiety is. If they can develop an understanding of their anxiety or worries, then this is the first step in learning strategies to manage or cope better. Anxiety can be triggered by different situations, and so using this tool can also help children recognise what situations make them feel more anxious or worried than others. Using this resource This resource is designed to be used with an individual child, aged 7 or above. Prior to using this resource with a child, please read through our pages on anxiety, and guidance for delivering short activities, to ensure you have a good understanding of how to use the resources safely.

These tools are designed to help children understand and manage their emotions and feelings, and stay calm and in control in the classroom. There are three tools included in this resource: a coping skills wheel, to give children different strategies for coping with difficult situations a strengths and weaknesses chart and control circle, to help children understand their own strengths and weaknesses and identify areas for development a focus plan, to help children stay calm and focused in the classroom Using this resource This resource is designed for: children aged 7 and up use with individual pupils Find more resources at www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/resources

This resource teaches children about resilience and the steps they may need to take to achieve their goals. The ladder format is designed to break down goals into smaller, achievable steps, and develop a growth mindset in children. Breaking down a goal in this way helps children realise that it is how we process and deal with setbacks that let us develop resilience. This resource is designed for: children aged 4+ use with individual children The resource includes a blank resilience ladder for you to work through the child with, as well as an example that they can refer to if needed. For more resources, go to www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/resources

This passport activity encourages children to select and present their most relevant characteristics and features to share with their new teacher to support their transition. Transition activities are a great way to support children in the progression through their academic life. This passport activity will help their teacher understand more about their future students and their experiences in school. In light of the coronavirus crisis, many children may be unable to have the chance to complete their last year of school as planned. They may not be able to visit their new school and teachers as they would usually. We have made this resource editable to allow children to complete this digitally at home, so it can be sent electronically to their new teacher or school. Using the resource This resource is designed for use with: Children aged 5 to 11 With whole classes Find more activities at www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/resources

The activities, lesson plans and assembly plans in this toolkit - which meet the learning objectives for the PSHE curriculum - will help children to think about who they are as a person, recognise what they are good at, identify positives things about themselves, learn from their experiences and set goals. There are also activities to support staff wellbeing. For more primary mental health resources visit www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk

The emotion wheel can be used with children of all ages who are struggling to express their current feelings. By identifying an image they can convey their current feelings. Using the wheel regularly throughout the day will help children and young people see the changing nature of their feelings and can help reduce anxiety around feeling a certain way

Help your pupils prepare for a new class or school with this assembly, which uses the concept of going on a trip to get them thinking about what they might need for their new adventure. This resource is designed for: Children aged 5 to 11 Whole classes or year groups To run this assembly, we would suggest using some props, like: A suitcase A passport or a photo of one Some suncream Sunglasses A guidebook Some items that aren’t suitable for a summer holiday, like hiking boots or a thick jumper You’ll also need a whiteboard or flipchart paper. This assembly can be used in conjunction with our transition passport resource. Find more activities at www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/resources

This toolkit has been specially designed for World Mental Health Day, and provides primary schools with a range of practical resources to help inform and boost wellbeing for pupils and staff. It includes : Posters Classroom activities Lesson plans Assembly plan Mindfulness exercises Tools and guidance Videos and animations For more primary mental health resources visit www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk

This activity allows pupils to set goals for the future academic year, reflect on themselves, their strengths and their weaknesses and practice letter writing. This “Getting to know me” activity includes an activity plan for teachers, a printable letter template for pupils to write a letter to their future selves and a printable envelope to put the letter in. There is one letter template for all pupils and one for pupils working at lower key stage 2 and for those with SEND. For more primary mental health resources visit www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk

This is a two-week calendar with daily mindfulness activity suggestions. The simple, short activities encourage children to focus on what’s around them to find a sense of calm. These simple mindfulness activities are designed to help pupils relax physically and emotionally. Pupils should be encouraged to do them regularly with the support of an adult, and when confident can independently practice as part of their self care plan. This resource is designed for: children aged 3 and up use with individual children, small groups or whole classes The activities within the calendar will take approximately five minutes and can be done at home or in school. You can display this poster in your classroom or staff room, and use the accompany guidance for instructions on how to deliver the activities. You can run these activities whenever you like, for example at the start of lessons, or after playtime, to help ground and relax the children.

Use this “Getting to know me” activity with your primary school class at the start of the school year to help pupils get to know themselves a little better and to set a goal that they would like to work towards. This activity will also help give you a sense of their character. This task will encourage pupils to think about how they look, their personality, the things they enjoy doing, and who are the important people in their lives. The worksheet finishes with a goal that pupils can set themselves to achieve – or work towards completing - by the end of the school year. Teachers can revisit these goals during the last term. Pupils can either set these goals themselves, work in groups or teachers can ask pupils to work as a class to set a goal for everyone to work towards. The second worksheet is aimed at pupils who are working in groups or as a class to set an achievable goal. This may be more suitable for pupils working at lower key stage 1 or for children with SEND. For more primary mental health resources visit www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk

Using the metaphor of a jigsaw puzzle, this assembly helps children to think about the different roles they and others play in the school community. You could deliver this assembly as children return to school after lockdown. This assembly and associated activity pack, should support the children to feel a sense of belonging and understand their place in the school, hopefully bringing a renewed feeling of unity and community along with positivity about being back at school. Using this resource This resource is designed for: children aged 3 to 11 use in a whole-school or whole year group assembly This resource forms part of our rebuild and recover set of resources, designed to help schools come back together and support their pupils’ wellbeing after lockdown.

This simple board game explores common scenarios that children may encounter in their day-to-day life at home or at school, and the resilience they may need for tackling them. When children land on different squares of the board, they will pick up a card. The card will either explain a scenario which demonstrates resilience, or it will give them an opportunity to make a choice from three options. they may move forward two spaces, one space, or stay where they are depending on how much resilience their choice displays. Through the game, the children should begin to develop an understanding of resilience in common situations which they can then apply to their own lives. This resource is designed for: Children aged 4+ Use in pairs or small groups We have included cut-out counters and a six-sided die in this resource, or you may want to use your own. For more resources, go to www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/resources

These printable templates, split up by age, use the concept of superheroes to encourage children to explore their own superpowers, qualities and talents. There are three templates included, designed for children aged 4 to 5, 5 to 7 and 7 to 11. What the children create could then be shared with their next teacher as a transition activity or kept to reflect on their strengths. This resource is designed for: children aged 4-11 use with individual children, small groups or whole classes For more resources, go to www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/resources

The three activities outlined in this resource are designed to help children explore their emotions and feelings, and think about the situations that might trigger those emotions. The activities included in this resource are: an emotion exploration activity sheet a matching pairs activity, where pupils are asked to match situations with emotions an emotion chart, where children can track how emotions change and develop over the course of a story or real-life situation This resource is designed for: children aged 5 to 11 use with a whole class, in small groups, in pairs or on an individual basis Prior to delivering any of the following activities, please read the Mentally Healthy Schools guidance for teaching staff on delivering mental health activities. For more resources, go to www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/resources

This toolkit is designed to be a guided Inset day for schools to work through, focused on wellbeing. From speaking to many of you, we know that one of your primary concerns on welcoming children back to school in the autumn is mental health and wellbeing. An Inset day before the start of term is a great opportunity for the whole school staff to come together to focus on wellbeing, ready for the term ahead. This toolkit is split into four sections: Auditing your school Planning for potential separation anxiety Supporting staff wellbeing Improving the school environment We have also included some suggested resources to use in the first weeks of term. You can use this toolkit in whatever way works best for you – you could pick individual sections to complete, or you could follow the full plan across the day.

A free, colouring in activity for KS1 and KS2 that can help children to focus on the present, and encourages them to think of a positive word to describe themselves. For more free, primary mental health resources visit www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk

To help get started in promoting and supporting the mental health of the children in your school, here are 10 useful tips and pieces of advice to help you feel informed in the decisions that you make, and also guidance on where to seek support if needed. For more primary mental health resources visit www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk

This toolkit has been created to help prevent bullying in primary schools, empower bystanders and support children who are bullies or have been bullied. It is ready to use for Anti-Bullying Week from 11th-15th November. The free toolkit includes: Activities Videos and animations Worksheets Lesson plans Assemblies and workshops Information and advice Guidance for school staff For more primary mental health resources visit www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk

This toolkit includes resources for school staff, parents and carers and children to help manage anxiety and improve wellbeing during the coronavirus crisis. You will find practical activities such as mindful crafts, breathing exercises and other self-care ideas, informative videos, emotional expression worksheets and helpful strategies to address anxiety. Suitable for: Early Years, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 pupils, school staff, parents and carers. #coronavirus #covid19 #mentalhealth #wellbeing #anxiety