Emotional Health and Wellbeing is a core part of life in The Hollybank Family.  It begins first thing in the morning with staff meeting and greeting our pupils at the gate.  Pupils are then encouraged to eat some warm toast settling into their seat for some mindfulness activities.  Marshall, our Therapy Dog rotates around the classes as the day progresses to help pupils with their learning.  The day is interspersed with regular brain breaks and for those who need them: sensory/movement breaks.

Safe spaces are available in all lobbies in the form of a zen den.  We also encourage pupils to visit the sensory room with the relaxing regulating swing, or the Nurture Nest where tea, snacks, fidget toys, regulation activities and chats are readily available. 

Take 5 Thursday clubs are amazing opportunities to connect with our peers and learn new skills.  Learning as One Wednesday helps the children see that making mistakes is part of learning.  The Wednesday skill will be new to everyone, teachers and pupils alike, so as to help remove the fear and anxiety that can accompany attempting new challenges.

Some helpful resources are listed below:

PHA – Infant mental health:  https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/node/5161

Play Scotland-The Importance of Play in Promotion of Mental Health: https://www.playscotland.org/resources/print/PS008-Play-Scotland-Mental-Health-Paper.pdf?plsctml_id=19482

Home Learning Ideas to support positive wellbeing:  https://first5.gov.ie/parents/pre-school-at-home/well-being

PHA - Minding Your Head:  

https://www.mindingyourhead.info/

https://www.mindingyourhead.info/take-5-steps-wellbeing

https://mindfulnessinschools.org/free-resources/