This is our Transition Mixed Feelings pack.
Transitioning to a new school, class, or group brings a mix of excitement, anxiety, and sadness. Excitement stems from the prospect of new beginnings, learning opportunities, and potential friendships. The idea of a fresh start can be exhilarating.
Anxiety, however, often accompanies this excitement. The fear of the unknown, concerns about fitting in, and pressures to perform academically and socially can be daunting.
Sadness is another common feeling, arising from leaving behind familiar faces, routines, and environments. The sense of loss and nostalgia for past experiences can be emotionally challenging. Missing old friends and known comforts adds to the difficulty of the transition.
To manage these mixed feelings, it’s good to recognise them. This resource will help your pupils do just that. It’s important to acknowledge and validate all emotions.
The transition mixed feelings pack has a visual ‘face’ version and a ‘word’ version so you can adapt to the capabilities of the pupil. Despite the challenges, with time and support, pupils can navigate these emotions and successfully adapt to their new environments. This activity is fun and engaging. Pupils will enjoy cutting out and sticking their emotions onto the jar.
This is an ‘Exciting times ahead Pupil Leaflet’. It is written in a child friendly way so pupils will understand. This leaflet looks at transition of moving to Secondary school.
Included in the ‘Exciting Times Ahead Pupil Leaflet’
Feelings – Looks at the mix of feelings associated with transition and changes.
What ifs – All those ‘what if’ questions they might have and how they can be worrying
Who can help with ‘What ifs’ – Advice asking for help and a list of people who might be able to help
Exciting questions – All those exciting questions they can ask themselves
Being prepared – Getting answers from questions, having a practice trip to school and imagining their first day.
There is an editable part for you to put your contact details or just your name. Simply type in the blue box. Don’t worry the blue box doesn’t show when you print. You can of course just print it and handwrite your details.
There is also a BLACK AND WHITE version included in the pack.
We also include a leaflet holder so you can display it in your area.
Important information
This leaflet is meant to be used as part of ELSA Sessions or some other therapeutic session and shouldn’t just be given out to children without some input. Please DO NOT just give these out without that important input. They are purely reminders for the pupil to take away and for parents to get involved.
It is your responsibility to decide whether the information in this leaflet will be helpful to your pupils.
Under our terms and conditions these leaflets must not be put onto school websites.
They are for printing and giving to pupils at the end of a session or you could use them as a basis for your session. Work through each part with the pupil.
This is an ‘unwind the mind transition mat. Perfect for the end of term when pupils needs some calm time. Pupils will enjoy the mindfulness of colouring and answering simple prompts.
There is a class version and a school version included in the pack. Print in A4 for older pupils and by using your print settings you can print on A3 for younger pupils.
Benefits of the unwind the mind transition mat
These offer calming activities that can help children relax and unwind after a busy day or during stressful times. Engaging in these activities encourages deep breathing and fosters a sense of peace and tranquillity.
Working on one of these mats offers effective stress-relief techniques for children. By focusing their attention on the task at hand, children can temporarily shift their focus away from worries and anxieties, promoting a sense of calmness and emotional well-being.
Mindful colouring allows children to express themselves creatively and explore their imagination through colours and designs. It provides a non-verbal outlet for self-expression, allowing children to convey their emotions and feelings in a safe and therapeutic manner.
Successfully completing creating beautiful artwork through mindful colouring can boost children’s self-esteem and confidence. Accomplishing challenging tasks and seeing tangible results can instil a sense of pride and accomplishment in children, reinforcing their belief in their abilities.
The wrist bands or bracelets are a lovely reminder to pupils to be kind. They can use mindful colouring to colour in their wrist bands. I would recommend printing them on card so they are a bit sturdier.
Benefits of Mindful colouring with our Kindness wrist bands.
Colouring promotes relaxation and helps children unwind after a busy day, reducing stress and anxiety levels.
Engaging in mindful colouring requires concentration, which can help improve attention span and focus in children.
Colouring allows children to express themselves creatively, experiment with colours, and explore their imagination.
Colouring involves precise movements and coordination, which can help develop fine motor skills in children, including hand-eye coordination and pencil grip.
Mindful colouring encourages children to focus on the present moment, promoting mindfulness and awareness of their thoughts and feelings.
Completing a wrist band gives children a sense of accomplishment, boosting their self-esteem and confidence.
Engaging in a relaxing activity like colouring can uplift children’s mood and provide a sense of happiness and satisfaction.
Colouring allows children to express themselves freely, conveying their emotions and thoughts through art.
A paper wristband focusing on kindness serves as a visual reminder for children to practise compassion and empathy daily. It promotes positive behaviour, and cultivates empathy. Empowering children to make a difference, it sparks conversations, serves as an educational tool, and encourages self-reflection. By wearing the wristband, children become ambassadors of kindness, spreading positivity and uplifting others.
This is our ‘Excited or Worried Tab Booklet’ perfect for transition.
Transitioning to a new school, or class brings a mix of excitement and anxiety. Excitement stems from the prospect of new beginnings, learning opportunities, and potential friendships. The idea of a fresh start can be exhilarating.
Anxiety, however, often accompanies this excitement. The fear of the unknown, concerns about fitting in, and pressures to perform academically and socially can be daunting.
This booklet gives pupils a voice to say what is exciting for them and what is worrying for them. It also gives lots of opportunity for them to talk to you about their worries or excitement.
Simply print onto A4 paper and cut out the pieces. Staple together at the top.
This is our little book of summer. It is on of our little books that is one sheet of paper folded to make 4 sides. So easy to prepare and suitable for all primary children.
These could be given out for summer or done when the children return to school in September.
This is a memory wheel for transition and can be used for any age group.
Pupils can draw their memories of the past year. This offers a multitude of benefits for their personal and emotional development. This creative exercise allows children to visually express their experiences, enhancing their ability to recall and articulate important moments. By drawing their memories, pupils engage in a reflective practice that fosters self-awareness and helps them appreciate their achievements and growth over the year.
Artistic expression through drawing can also be therapeutic, providing a safe outlet for pupils to process and communicate their emotions. This can be particularly beneficial for those who might find it difficult to express their feelings verbally. Additionally, the memory wheel serves as a visual diary, capturing a snapshot of their year that they can look back on, reinforcing positive experiences and milestones.
Sharing their memory wheel for transition with peers and teachers can strengthen social connections and build a sense of community. It encourages pupils to listen to others’ experiences, fostering empathy and understanding. The activity can boost confidence as children take pride in their artwork and the memories they’ve chosen to highlight.
Overall, the memory wheel activity is a powerful tool for promoting emotional well-being, enhancing memory retention, and encouraging a positive outlook on personal growth and achievements.
Our Building Resilience pupil leaflet is designed to help children develop the skills and habits needed to bounce back from challenges. Perfect for pupils in primary school, this engaging tri-fold leaflet explains what resilience is, why it matters, and offers practical tips they can try each day to build their confidence and strength. Ideal for classroom use, social-emotional learning support, or for parents looking to encourage resilience at home!
Inside the Building Resilience Pupil Leaflet:
What is Resilience?
This section introduces resilience as the ability to “bounce back” from tough situations. It explains resilience in simple, relatable language, helping children understand that being resilient means staying strong and positive when things get challenging.
Why is it Important?
Here, pupils learn why resilience matters in everyday life.
Building Resilience
This section provides practical tips and strategies children can use to start building resilience.
Positive Habits
This section introduces a list of positive habits that can make resilience part of a pupil’s daily routine.
Reflecting on Resilience
The final section encourages pupils to think back and reflect on previous challenges.
There is an editable part for you to put your contact details or just your name. Simply type in the blue box. Don’t worry the blue box doesn’t show when you print. You can of course just print it and handwrite your details.
There is a leaflet holder included in the pack which you can use to display your leaflets on the wall. There is also a BLACK AND WHITE version of the leaflet included in the pack. Some children might like to colour in the black and white version as you chat.
Important information
This Building Resilience pupil leaflet is meant to be used as part of ELSA Sessions or some other therapeutic session and shouldn’t just be given out to children without some input. Please DO NOT just give these out without that important input. They are purely reminders for the pupil to take away and for parents to get involved.
It is your responsibility to decide whether the information in this leaflet will be helpful to your pupils.
Under our terms and conditions these leaflets must not be put onto school websites.
They are for printing and giving to pupils at the end of a session or you could use them as a basis for your session. Work through each part with the pupil.
We are excited to introduce our ADHD Positive Character and Strengths Cards, designed to celebrate and nurture the unique qualities of pupils with ADHD. These cards highlight the positive traits and strengths that make each pupil special, helping to build self-esteem, confidence, and a positive self-image.
Please note that these cards could be used with any child. Lots of children are undiagnosed ADHD so these cards may help to give you evidence towards diagnosis.
Included in the ADHD Positive character and strengths cards:
56 cards (ideas for traits given by practitioners with ADHD or with personal experience of ADHD).
10 ideas on how to use the cards
These cards serve as daily reminders of their strengths, such as creativity, problem solving, and resilience, shifting the focus from challenges to capabilities. By regularly acknowledging and celebrating these qualities, pupils begin to see themselves in a more positive light, fostering a sense of pride and self-worth. The consistent reinforcement of their strengths helps to build confidence, encouraging them to embrace their individuality and approach new situations with a positive mindset. This shift in perception not only enhances their self-esteem but also empowers them to use their strengths in overcoming obstacles and achieving their goals.
The cards are 8 to an A4 sheet of paper. If you want bigger cards use your print settings to print onto A3. This might depend on the age you are working with. Suitable for all children. Children love to learn BIG words and with this pack they can certainly do that.
One of the ideas in the pack:
Create a Personal Strengths Book
Help the pupil create a scrapbook of their trait cards, combining them with pictures and stories that highlight their strengths.