Top Tips to Deliver Wellbeing and Mindfulness Sessions for KS2 pupils
A learner’s well-being is impacted in school by their environment and the teachers and other school staff that they come into contact with. Effective learning can only take place in a safe environment when children are in an emotional state that facilitates their receptivity to learning. Article 29, in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states that ‘a child or young person’s education should help their mind, body and talents be the best they can.’ (Framework on embedding a whole-school approach to emotional and mental well-being Guidance document no: 269/2021 Date of issue: March 2021).
Statistics show that around 1 in 10 children between the ages of 5-16 have a mental health problem and that around 50 per cent of people with enduring mental health problems will have symptoms by the time they are 14, and many at a much younger age. (Together for Mental Health A Strategy for Mental Health and Wellbeing in Wales)
In this 1.5 hour workshop you will learn Top Tips to teach children:
- Explore mental health and wellbeing
- Describe and recognise feelings about stress and anxiety
- Learn to teach a relaxation breathing practice
- Understand emotions and explore ways to control stress and anxious thoughts
- Learn how mindfulness and relaxation practices can help to build resilience
- Experience how to teach short 2-3 minute mindfulness practices (Safe Space, Mindful Movement, Mindful Eating and Body Scan)
- Recognise the power of gratitude and positive thoughts using positive affirmations
Participants who attend this workshop will be provided with learning and teaching materials for 2 Mindfulness and Wellbeing lessons which will include PowerPoints, lesson plans, script for meditations and audio- recordings, recommendations for websites, further reading materials and other resources for the classroom/group settings.
About Clare McRobbie
Clare started her teaching career as a Modern Studies and History teacher, and Principal Teacher of Guidance in Scotland. She moved to Wales and took up a post as a Headteacher of a Pupil Referral Unit, then moved to Cardiff as a Head of School KS3 and 4, in an inner-city secondary school. She also held a seconded 2-year post with Cardiff LEA as PSE and Healthy Schools Advisory teacher for all schools in Cardiff.
In 2011 Clare trained in Mindfulness to help support young people in schools to reduce stress and anxiety using mindfulness and cognitive therapy approaches. She then went on to train to teach children in primary schools and school staff. She left her teaching role in school to focus her career as a freelance consultant teaching Wellbeing and Mindfulness courses and went on to study for an MSc at the University of Exeter in Psychological Research and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapies and Approaches.
Over the last 7 years, Clare has taught many 8 week Mindfulness and Wellbeing courses to staff in schools and adults in the community in South Wales and Scotland. She has also delivered many workshops and presentations on well-being to Headteachers, Health care workers, Teachers, and Union staff as well as delivering courses to children and young people and staff in schools and adults in workplace settings.
Clare worked part-time in mental health charity in Wales as a Wellbeing Practitioner teaching CBT and Mindfulness courses and workshops from 2019-2021. She moved back to Glasgow in 2021 and now combines her freelance work with a part-time role in a local education authority as a Training Development Specialist teaching Wellbeing to young people and staff in schools.