Having a positive impact on children's wellbeing

What Is Pupil Wellbeing?

Pupil Wellbeing is concerned with how pupils feel, the thoughts they are having and how these impact their personal and social behaviour. It includes how happy, comfortable and mentally and physically healthy the children are and how able they are to cope with the challenges of life.

Why Is It Important?

Making pupil wellbeing a priority can foster in them a thirst for knowledge and a desire to learn. It can build a belief in themselves and their abilities, interests and talents; whatever they may be. It helps create an environment where they feel safe and listened to, however they are feeling and one in which they feel able to take risks and not be afraid of getting things wrong, but see these moments as opportunities to learn.

Educators are in a privileged position, they can make a real difference to the amazing minds which sit in front of them on a daily basis - the minds which are going to shape the future. Time is pressured in schools, so much to fit in and demands to fulfil, but educators can take lots of small steps that can make a big difference to the wellbeing of  pupils - things which can help them cope with the pressures in their daily life.

How Can Educators Make a Positive Impact?

A comprehensive, creative and child centered PSHE and Citizenship curriculum can help children learn how to stay safe, happy and healthy and can also help underpin an ethos and community which enables wellbeing to be a priority. Here's some resources to combine themes of mental wellbeing in your PSHE and Citizenship curriculum. 

PSHE education aims to teach the children the knowledge and skills that they need to stay safe and be happy and healthy, while also preparing them for life, both in the present and future. Importantly, it equips children with the skills they need to live successfully as citizens of the communities to which they belong. In addition, PSHE education encourages children to develop positive mental health and emotional wellbeing. This is achieved by empowering them with the knowledge and understanding of why this is important and how it can be achieved. PSHE lesson packs can help you get started!

Educational establishments can positively impact wellbeing by:

• Celebrating diversity;

• Helping pupils treat all people with kindness and respect, why not try these random acts of kindness resource packs?

• Helping them identify any emotions they are feeling and acknowledge these as OK;

• Encouraging them to talk about their feelings with staff, their friends and people at home and learn how to manage them, the circle time lesson pack assist in exploring to fundamentals of mental health and how to express emotions.

• Creating a class support network where feelings can be openly shared, and solutions to deal with these explored;

• Helping them explore and acknowledge their talents and skills;

• Giving pupils a voice within the educational setting, enforcing Pupil Voice initiatives and educating staff on the importance for empowering learners within your school, can help students feel comfortable and heard:

• Celebrating who they are and what they can do;

• Assessing and meeting the needs of all pupils, getting to know your class and mapping their progress in all aspects throughout the year;

• Rewarding pupils for achievements, however small and not simply academic, and encouraging them to reward themselves;

• Providing opportunities for creativity;

• Using relaxation techniques and mindfulness activities, such as guided meditations, controlled deep breathing and yoga;

• Advising on healthy sleep and eating habits;

• Ensuring pupils have time to be physically active;

• Providing opportunities for outdoor learning;

• Helping pupils to see that making mistakes is OK; that it is an important part of the learning process and helping them to learn from these mistakes;

• Taking time each day to let pupils know staff believe in them, helping them to believe in themselves, this can be done with acceptance activities and boosting self esteem resources.

As educators, do these little and often, making them a natural part of the daily classroom routine. It's important to remember that the wellbeing of the staff in an educational establishment will have a positive impact on all in the setting and the wider school community. For top tips on increasing positivity and wellbeing amongst staff, see Twinkl's previous blog.