Learn how to use the resources on Mentally Healthy Schools with your child by following our simple guidance. Some of our Mentally Healthy Schools resources are suitable to be used by parents, with the support of the school. They may not be suitable for all children, so particular care should be taken for children who have experienced particularly difficult circumstances or emotions, for example those who have been through a life-changing experience (such as bereavement), may be experiencing severe mental health problems or may have a history of trauma. Please seek further support from your school and your GP, if you are concerned. Activities that focus on emotions can increase our sense of awareness of our thoughts and feelings, so it is important to remind children of the support systems that are available, in and out of school, if they need to speak about something.

Download the Mentally Healthy Schools free toolkit about internet safety, packed full of practical teaching resources for primary school staff. The toolkit includes lesson plans, videos, quizzes, animations, assembly plans and information and guidance. It covers topics such as cyberbullying, gaming, social media, website use and other online risks. Find more resources at www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk

A free toolkit with resources and tips to help support the mental health and wellbeing of school staff, parents, carers and children. In this toolkit you will find: resources for staff wellbeing, including carers and headteachers, resources to help communicate the coronavirus outbreak to children with SEND and responding to the unique challenges that may arise for vulnerable children. There are also some further resources to help manage anxiety and improve wellbeing. #coronavirus #covid19 #covid-19

This free toolkit is our third coronavirus toolkit. It includes resources for school staff, as well as parents, to use with vulnerable children or children with SEND, a resource from Stonewall for the LGBTQ+ community, as well as a resource pack for staff wellbeing and practical activities for adults and children to help stay mentally well during this time. #coronavirus #covid19 #covid-19

This written resource supports children and young people not only express their feelings but identify why they are feeling a particular way. When these feelings are positive children can refer back to activities that took place that day to help them practice self care. The resource can also be used to support conversation with children and young people on strategies to improve wellbeing, alongside being shared with parents and carers for a further insight into their child’s thoughts and feelings. Prior to using this resource with a child, please read through our guidance for delivering short activities, to ensure you have a good understanding of how to use the resources safely.

In our 7th coronavirus toolkit, focusing on managing transitions and preparing children for change, there are lots of free, quality-assured resources for school staff, parents and carers and children. The toolkit is packed full of practical activities, guidance, an assembly plan, tips, videos and booklets to help children transition to primary school or to transition from primary to secondary school. For more coronavirus toolkits and other resources, head to www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk

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

This resource uses an illustration and basic drama techniques to get children thinking about happiness and where it comes from. Children will explore concepts like happiness and gratitude, and think about how social media might affect how we feel about ourselves and others. Using this resource This resource is designed for: children aged 9 and above use in small groups This resource is linked to curricular across the UK. England - RSHE Mental wellbeing • simple self-care techniques, including the importance of rest, time spent with friends and family and the benefits of hobbies and interests Internet Safety and Harms • about the benefits of rationing time spent online, the risks of excessive time spent on electronic devices and the impact of positive and negative content online on their own and others’ mental and physical wellbeing Respectful Relationships • the importance of self-respect and how this links to their own happiness Northern Ireland - Personal Development and Mutual Understanding PERSONAL UNDERSTANDING AND HEALTH Pupils should be enabled to explore: • their self–esteem and self-confidence (KS1) • strategies and skills for keeping themselves healthy and safe (KS1) • their self-esteem, self-confidence and how they develop as individuals (KS2) • how to sustain their health, growth and well-being and coping safely and efficiently with their environment (KS2). Wales – Health and Wellbeing Statement 2 - How we process and respond to our experiences affects our mental health and emotional well-being. Statement 3 - Our decision-making impacts on the quality of our lives and the lives of others. Scotland - Health and Wellbeing Mental and Emotional Wellbeing •I understand that my feelings and reactions can change depending upon what is happening within and around me. This helps me to understand my own behaviour and the way others behave. · I understand the importance of mental wellbeing and that this can be fostered and strengthened through personal coping skills and positive relationships

Separation anxiety at the start of a new term or school year can be an issue for children, their families and schools. With coronavirus meaning many children will have been away from school for a significant amount of time, schools may be expecting increased levels of separation anxiety at the start of term. This simple plan is designed for teachers to use for individual students for whom separation anxiety is a concern. They can use the plan to plot out ideas for working with the child and the child’s parents, and the outcomes of these actions. Using this resource This resource is designed for: use by school staff use on an individual basis

Schools and parents/carers can use these resources to prepare for the return to school in the autumn. Although some children have returned to school already, for many, the new autumn term will be their first time stepping into a classroom since lockdown began. Understandably, this may be a strange or worrying time for some children, parents and carers, and schools. We know that supporting children’s mental wellbeing during the return to school is a key priority for many of you. We’ve collected together lots of useful resources in this toolkit, all focused on making sure the return to classrooms in the autumn is a mentally healthy one. We’ve split the list of resources into two: one section is full of resources for parents and carers, featuring activities and tips for how to prepare their child for re-starting school in September the other section is focused on resources for schools for use in the autumn term or when planning for the new school year.