Ideas for teaching on World Book Day 2021
As World Book Day 2021 approaches, QA Education features a round-up of news and ideas to help your school shine a spotlight on the best-loved children’s tales… Top 10 Children’s Books – Love Reading For Kids If you’re looking for something new to read to pupils this World Book Day, check out LoveReading4Kids’ Top 10 titles: 1. What Did the Tree See? 2. The Secret Lake 3. The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh 4. A Tangle of Spells 5. The Last Bear 6. Hom 7. The Nowhere Emporium 8. The Shark Caller 9. Cookie and the Most Annoying Girl in the World 10. House of Happy Spirits: A Children’s Book Inspired by Friedensreich Hundertwasser LoveReading4Kids is a fantastic recommendation site for children’s books: reading, reviewing and recommending so that the children can find their next favourite book quickly and easily. Lockdown Learning with Joe Wicks and Sea Shanty star Nathan Evans The BBC’s Lockdown Learning returns on Monday 1st March and as its been announced that schools will start to open up again, Lockdown Learning will continue to support pupils, parents and teachers that need support. Joining the teaching rota for the new term is Joe Wicks, who will teach about the Vikings and the Battle of Hastings, Mr Motivator teaching maths and TikTok Sea Shanty star Nathan Evans, who will teach mini-lessons available on CBBC and Bitesize social media. For World Book Day this year (Thursday 4th March), BBC Bitesize have created a special collection of videos to be broadcasted on CBBC with authors, Jacqueline Wilson and Dan Freedman chatting about the inspiration behind their novels, alongside singer Anne Marie and TikTok star, Lucy Edwards who will share their favourite books. There will also be a live lesson for World Book Day hosted by CBBC’s Ben Shires and Bitesize Daily’s Mr Smith. The lesson will look about themes in stories and how to identify them and will include a live Q&A session with comedian and author of the Little Badman series, Humza Arshad. Lockdown Learning is available on CBBC, BBC Two, BBC Bitesize, BBC iPlayer and the Red Button. Pandemic impact on literacy highlighted by UK Reads campaign On World Book Day, best-selling authors add their voice to World Literacy Foundation (WLF) campaign designed to help children living in poverty to gain vital literacy skills. Blogger Sarah Turner of the Unmumsy Mum book series has added her voice to UK Reads’ literacy campaign ‘Before it’s too late’. Sarah will be contributing to the campaign for World Book Day activities on 4th March. Coordinated by the UK arm of the World Literacy Foundation (WLF), the campaign aims to reach children who, due to pandemic restrictions, are at higher risk than ever before of falling significantly behind with their vocabulary and reading ability. 380,000 young people living in poverty in the UK do not own a single book of their own – UK Reads is determined to change this shocking statistic by reaching 5000 children by this summer with books, reading activity packs and the literacy engagement they need. Sarah said: “If a child struggles to read an exam question, how can we expect them to pass? There are children approaching their GCSE’s who are at serious risk of becoming illiterate adults. Not to mention the younger children living in poverty who are starting school with vocabulary up to 19 months behind their more affluent peers. “World Book Day is one of the most fun days at school – my three boys love to dress up as their favourite characters and dive into wonderful stories. While the day will be different for most children this year, taking part with online school activities, they, just like my kids, will be reaching for their bookshelves and engaging in this lovely day. The reality for thousands of children however, those who live in poverty, is that they won’t be taking part with the same enthusiasm and this is why I am supporting ‘Before it’s too late’.” UK Reads is appealing for donations to help reach children with books and literacy support this year.
10 women trailblazers to study this British Science Week
British Science Week takes place on 5-14 March, just as school pupils head back the classes following the latest lockdown. If you’re planning some memorable science lessons this week, then put paid to scientist stereotypes with these 10 women trailblazers. When asked to depict a scientist, too many children draw a white man with ‘mad professor’ hair. Former primary school teacher Abby Harper of education resource experts PlanBee offers a way to show them that science and technology has always been the domain of brilliant, creative women… 10 women trailblazers in science Mary Anning: geology rocks Anning was a palaeontologist and a fossil collector. She was born in 1799 in Lyme Regis, Dorset. She collected fossils with her father. When he died, Mary sold them to help her mother pay off debts. Among the fossils Anning discovered were: â— A 5.2 meter-long skeleton of an Ichthyosaur, the first to be found. â— A Plesiosaurus skeleton initially considered too good to be genuine. An interesting fact about Mary Anning Even though she found lots of fossils and was an expert in the subject, she was often not credited with her finds. Women were not allowed to be members of the Geological Society of London until 1904, 57 years after she died. Anning is now starting to get the recognition she deserves: a statue of her is to be erected in Lyme Regis after a successful campaign by 13-year-old local teenager Evie Swire, and a film about the life of Anning, ‘Ammonite’, starring Kate Winslet, is due out later this year. Ada Lovelace: switched-on programmer The daughter of poet Lord Byron and Annabella Milbanke, Lovelace was born in 1815 in London. She became interested in Charles Babbage’s machines, which were designed to calculate mathematical tables mechanically, removing the errors that can appear when calculations are done by humans. Although Babbage’s machines were never built, Lovelace’s notes are an important part of early computer programs. An interesting fact about Ada Lovelace She has a computer programming language named after her: Ada. Marie Curie: prized Nobel laureate Marie Curie was a Polish-born physicist and chemist. She is well known for working with her husband Pierre as they discovered the radioactive elements Polonium and Radium. In 1903 Curie became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize for her involvement in research on radiation. In 1911, she became the first person to win a second Nobel Prize, this time for her work towards the discovery of Polonium and Radium. It is believed she died from the effects of long-term radiation exposure. An interesting fact about Marie Curie One of Curie’s daughters, Irène Joliot-Curie, also won a joint Nobel Prize in Chemistry with her husband – for their discovery of artificial radioactivity. Rosalind Franklin: DNA discoverer Franklin was an English chemist whose work was essential to understand the complex structure of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), the molecule in the cells of all living things that contains the genetic code. The code can determine things like skin, hair and eye colour as well as other traits which we inherit from our parents. Franklin took the first X-ray picture showing that the DNA molecule was shaped like a double helix. This photo was used by other scientists to discover the structure of DNA, without clearly naming her as a contributor. The work that led to the discovery of the double-helix structure of DNA was awarded a Nobel Prize in 1962 – but the award went three men, and Franklin’s work went unacknowledged. An interesting fact about Rosalind Franklin Australian astronomer John Broughton discovered an asteroid and named it ‘9241 Rosfraklin’ in tribute to Franklin. Jane Goodall: primate pioneer Born in London, Dame Jane Goodall is considered the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees and is best known for her life-long study of chimpanzees and their social interactions in Tanzania. Through hours and hours of careful watching, sketching and note-taking, Goodall was one of the first to observe a chimpanzee using tools to fish termites from their mounds. She was also one of the first to observe chimpanzees hunting for meat and gnawing on animal bones, debunking the theory that chimps were herbivores. An interesting fact about Jane Goodall Instead of numbering the chimpanzees as was the custom at the time, Goodall named the chimps. David Greybeard was one of the first she named. Others included Gigi, Mr McGregor, Goliath, Flo and Frodo who eventually kicked Goodall out of the troop when he became the leader. Mae C. Jemison: out of this world Mae Carol Jemison became the first black woman to travel into space in 1992. Born in the US, Jemison graduated from university with a degree in chemical engineering before earning her medical degree. Jemison was part of the 1992 STS-47 mission during which she orbited the Earth 127 times! She was in space for almost 200 hours during which she conducted experiments on the effects of weightlessness on herself and the crew. An interesting fact about Mae C. Jemison Jemison is a huge Star Trek fan. Whilst she was in space, she would often open communications by saying “Hailing frequencies open” which is a quote from the show. She even appeared on an episode of Star Trek in 1993. Maggie Aderin-Pocock: star quality Maggie Aderin-Pocock was born in north London in 1968. She is a space scientist and has a passion for sharing and educating both adults and children about space and other areas of science. She co-presents “The Sky at Night†as well as appearing on many children’s TV shows too! An interesting fact about Maggie Aderin-Pocock Aderin-Pocock was diagnosed with dyslexia at age eight. She struggled at school but was passionate about science. Mary Somerville: astronomical achiever Somerville was a Scottish scientist who studied mathematics and astronomy. She was jointly admitted as the first female member of the Royal Astronomical Society. Her work focused on the sun’s radiation effects on Earth’s substances and many have agreed that her later
More chores for girls in the UK means less time to schoolwork
Covid-19 is having a disproportionate impact on girls in Britain, with many taking on additional household chores such as cooking and cleaning, leaving them less time to do their schoolwork, according to a new survey. Two-thirds (66%) of girls and women aged between 14 and 24 say they are spending more time cooking for their families because of the pandemic, compared with just under a third (31%) of boys in the same age group. They are also spending more time doing stereotypical household chores such as doing the shopping (52%), cleaning (69%) and looking after sick relatives, the research by global children’s charity Theirworld found. Ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8, the findings suggest that while the disruption to education over the past year is affecting all school children in the UK, the impact on girls is greater than on boys. The findings will renew calls for governments to put education, especially for girls, at the heart of their responses to the pandemic, amid fears that Covid-19 will undo decades of progress for girls and women. The research also suggested that it is not just girls’ academic performance which is at risk. One in five girls said that not attending schools was also having a negative impact on their mental health. Globally, before Covid-19, 132 million girls around the world were not in school, including 34 million of primary age. The pandemic has worsened the global education crisis and exacerbated inequalities, with 1.5 billion children – including 767 million girls – out of education at the peak of school closures. There are fears that without urgent action, 11 million girls will never return to school, which will have huge consequences for wider societies. Research shows that girls’ education is the driver of healthier, wealthier and more equitable societies. A child whose mother can read is 50% more likely to live past the age of five and twice as likely to attend school themselves. With just one additional year of schooling, a woman’s earnings can increase by 12%. Justin van Fleet, the President of Theirworld, said: “These findings are alarming because they show that in rich and poor countries alike, even when huge strides have been made in relation to gender equality, girls risk falling behind as a result of the pandemic. This will have devastating consequences not just for girls but for everyone because the knock-on benefits of girls’ education are huge. “As we emerge from the depths of the crisis, we must renew our commitment to education, particularly for girls, and remember that there is no better way of creating a more equitable recovery, and subsequently more equal societies, than prioritising girls’ education.†Sarah Brown, the Chair of Theirworld, said: “There are reports that women’s equality could be pushed back by up to 10 years by the pandemic and this is a stark reminder that the fight for gender equality is ongoing. The findings from this study show that when girls are locked out of school they can easily become trapped in traditional household roles which can put their education in jeopardy. “The unprecedented crisis of the pandemic brings the opportunity to focus minds on reimagining education for every girl and boy, and the innovative steps needed to reach every single one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which include providing a quality education to every child and achieving gender equality. “In our view, quality education, especially for girls, provides the key to every other goal – a new educated global population will better serve the challenges of climate, nutrition and health everywhere.†In 2021, Theirworld is calling on world leaders to maintain and expand education budgets, ensuring that education is at the heart of the recovery from the pandemic. Ahead of the G7 meeting of world leaders in June, Theirworld is calling for education to be at the heart of the Covid-19 response to ensure that no child is left behind and becomes a long-term victim of the pandemic.
Stronger Than Hate: Anti-Hate Challenge for UK Secondary Schools
A powerful challenge which empowers children to tackle hate within their communities and take action for a better future is being launched to UK secondary schools. Created by University of Southern California (USC) Shoah Foundation, in partnership with Discovery Education, the Stronger Than Hate Challenge invites pupils to use their creativity to bring communities closer together. Students aged 13-18 are being asked to submit a project showing why united communities are stronger. This can take the form of a video, poem, song, blog or piece of art – and a first prize of £5000 plus iPads is on offer. The Stronger Than Hate Challenge demonstrates the power of learning from the past and using your own voice to counter hate. The Challenge is presented by the USC Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education and Discovery Education – the global leader in curriculum-aligned digital resources, engaging content and professional learning for primary and secondary classrooms. Founded after the making of Steven Spielberg’s film Schindler’s List, USC Shoah Foundation collects audio visual testimonies from survivors and witnesses of genocides around the world, preserving their stories for future generations. Pupils taking part in the Stronger Than Hate Challenge can listen to these stories and be inspired to produce a piece of work which reflects the power of testimony to tackle hate. Already a high-profile challenge in the US and Canada, Stronger Than Hate is being launched in the UK along with special classroom resources to help teachers and pupils recognise and counter hate and discrimination. Freely available at TeachingWithTestimony.com/uk-challenge, these expert resources and videos will empower students to employ empathy, build critical-thinking skills and become inspired to create a brighter future after listening to first-hand accounts from survivors and witnesses of genocide. Discovery Education has also collaborated with USC Shoah Foundation to produce special age-appropriate resources for younger children in the UK. These are available to primary schools through Discovery Education Espresso – an award-winning, cross curricular digital learning service for teachers and pupils supporting the delivery of the National Curriculum and the successful integration of digital media into teaching and learning. Lesly Culp, USC Shoah Foundation’s Head of Programs for Education said: “The Stronger Than Hate Challenge empowers youth voices by connecting students with the impact of testimony in overcoming hate. In continued partnership with Discovery Education, we are helping inspire new ideas and spark student imagination to foster a more just and equitable society.†Lori McFarling, President of Corporate and Community Partnerships at Discovery Education said: “The resources from Teaching with Testimony, including the Stronger Than Hate Challenge, exemplify the impact of connecting students to social and emotional learning as a catalyst for change. We commend USC Shoah Foundation for their continued leadership in fostering inclusivity and are proud to join forces in igniting student curiosity through the power of testimony.†The Stronger Than Hate Challenge UK winners will be announced in August 2021. First prize is a £5,000 grant, awarded to the winning school to help teachers implement positive change. £1,000 and £500 grants will be similarly presented to the second and third place schools. iPads are also on offer for up to four pupils on the winning team. Schools should visit teachingwithtestimony.com/challenge-uk to enter. For more information about Discovery Education’s digital content and professional development services, visit discoveryeducation.co.uk.
Daydream Education launches free educational resources and home education tips
Wales-based educational resources provider Daydream Education has made a selection of its downloadable study tools available for FREE to support home education during lockdown. It has also issued a set of tips to help parents ensure their children get the most out of home study. The Bridgend-based company was founded 25 years ago by Chris Malcom after he identified a need for quality educational posters in school classrooms. Its posters are now in over 90 percent of UK secondary schools and are used widely internationally as well. With schools closed, however, the company’s customer base has shifted as it experiences a surge in demand from parents who are keen to support their children with their home-based learning. As well as posters, Daydream Education produces its range of Pocket Posters revision guides, which present all the information from their posters in book form and come with a free digital app which includes assessment activities and reporting. To help teachers, parents and children with their homebased learning, Daydream has released a range of free resources, which can be downloaded from its website here. Chris Malcom said: “Our posters are designed to present all the essential information needed by pupils in an eye-catching and memorable way. They’ve been a teachers’ favourite for many years, but now more and more parents are recognising the benefits of using these at home. Students studying at home are also benefitting from our revision guides and the accompanying digital resources and tests, which help to ensure they continue to progress at a good pace while studying at home. Home study can be stressful for both parents and children and we hope that by providing a selection of free resources via our website, we’ll be able to help them through this challenging time.†5 home education study tips from Chris Malcom, MD of Daydream Education. Decide on a specific location for home study and stick with it. Having a designated area for study – even if it’s a corner of the living room – can help your child get into the right mindset as soon as they sit down. Remove as many distractions as possible – switch the TV off, discourage mobile phone use while studying, and if possible, make sure younger children stay in another room. Break your child’s study period into blocks of 20 minutes, allowing breaks of 10-15 minutes in between. These short, sharp sessions, known as spaced learning, have been shown to be the best for maintaining concentration and retaining information. Make sure your child has access to the resources they need to help them when they get stuck. Our free online resources can help here. At the end of a session, do a quick-fire assessment to check understanding of the topic covered. Our free digital resources available when you purchase our Pocket Poster Revision Guides include quickfire assessment activities, which can be used to test your child’s levels of understanding and keep track of their progress. Full link for the free resources: https://www.daydreameducation.co.uk/free-worksheet-resources
SplashLearn Announces SpringBoard Maths Challenge 2021
Opportunity for classrooms to collaborate and compete, with prizes worth over £8000 up for grabs. The popular game-based learning programme SplashLearn announced the first UK edition of its massively popular SpringBoard Maths Challenge today. The maths competition is a calendar marked event and is highly anticipated by teachers across the US and Canada. SpringBoard Maths Challenge 2021 is open to all classes from Year 1 through Year 6 in the UK and will run from March 1 – May 9, 2021. All primary school classes can participate. After creating an account on SplashLearn, teachers can enrol their class for SpringBoard 2021. Once enrolled, all the maths problems the students solve will earn them points, which will count towards the total class score. The best performing classes with the highest points win weekly prizes at both the regional and national level. The winners will be announced at the end of SpringBoard. Prizes worth in excess of £8,000 are up for grabs. “SpringBoard is a one of its kind maths challenge which brings students together in an environment that enables competition as well as collaboration. This year the competition assumes a new meaning as different classes compete with each other but are also coming together, learning together and are also having fun – something they haven’t been able to do this year,†said Joy Deep Nath, Co-founder, SplashLearn. “It is crucial that children don’t fall behind with maths during this period of school closures. The SpringBoard Maths Challenge will help reduce the attainment gap, providing children with a fun and secure way to practice with their peers!†said Arpit Jain, CEO and Co-founder, SplashLearn. “We are excited to launch this competition in all regions of the UK. I wish all the regions and every school the greatest success†Arpit added. The Springboard Maths Challenge 2021 is free to enter and is designed to give teachers and schools the opportunity to engage their primary students through fun maths challenges aligned to the national curriculum. The 10-week challenge will allow students to master their maths skills and enter the new class with confidence, whilst having fun throughout the process. The competition is being rolled out across all regions of the UK including Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands, East Midlands, South West, South East, East of England and Greater London. For more information about the SpringBoard Maths Challenge 2021, please visit this page. Catering for Year-1 through-Year 6, the SplashLearn programme is available free of charge to all schools and teachers in the UK. The maths content covers more than 570 skills through 2000 activities and games. The registration for teachers and entry to the competition is already open. Teachers can sign up for the SpringBoard Maths Challenge 2021 by visiting this page.
One-in-Four Parents Say Poor Quality Internet Connection Negatively Impacts School Pupils’ Education
New data from YouGov Research, commissioned by Huawei UK, reveals millions of children across the UK are being held back in the virtual classroom, exposing a nationwide digital divide felt by families. The research shows one in four UK parents (24 percent) believe their children are struggling to complete lessons and schoolwork because of poor quality internet connections. More than half (54 percent) of parents surveyed say they have had to invest money in technology to support their children in learning at home, while one-in-ten (12 percent) has been forced to spend more than £500 since the first national lockdown. The YouGov survey reveals that many households across the country are resorting to tactics such as switching off video during calls, tethering to a mobile connection or restricting internet access in the hope of securing a stable connection. The survey of 4,000 UK adults also found that 86 percent of respondents believe that poor quality internet connections will have a negative impact on educational attainment, while 88 percent also said that having a reliable connection is important to the overall wellbeing of children during lockdown. The polling comes as Huawei donates 250 Huawei Pupil Packs with a value of over £60,000 to help pupils most in need and to help break down the barriers in remote education. The Huawei Pupil Packs – which contain a Huawei MatePad T3 10 tablet, a Huawei 4G B311 Wireless Router and a sim card pre-loaded with data, courtesy of Three UK – are being donated to pupils at schools identified by the Greater Manchester Tech Fund as those which would benefit most from new hardware. The packs will ensure pupils have both the hardware and connectivity required for remote learning. Each of these schools are receiving 50 Huawei Pupil Packs: Longdendale High School in Hyde Sharples School in Bolton The Derby High School in Bury Burnage Academy for Boys in Manchester Byrchall High School in Wigan Karl Harrison, Head, Burnage Academy for Boys said: “We serve communities in the most deprived areas of the inner city and some of our parents do not have the means to be able to provide the devices needed at present for their children. The fantastic generosity of Huawei will make an enormous difference to so many of our families and give our boys the opportunity to access remote learning in the pandemic. This is truly humbling in the most challenging of times and we offer our most sincere and heartfelt thanks.†Diane Modahl, Lead, Greater Manchester Tech Fund said: “In Greater Manchester, we believe that our young people deserve every chance to fulfil their potential. We set up the Greater Manchester Tech Fund to support our most vulnerable young people to prevent them being marginalised and at a disadvantage from their peers. I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone at Huawei, for their generous donation to the GM Tech Fund. Huawei’s donation will help digitally-excluded young people with the technology and connectivity needed to continue their learning at home while schools and colleges remain closed. †Victor Zhang, Vice President, Huawei said: “The shift to remote education has been challenging for all families, but it has been especially difficult for those pupils who don’t have the means to participate in video lessons or interact with other children. No pupils should be left behind, but we all know of school children who, through no fault of their own, are facing barriers to the education they should be receiving. “Huawei remains committed to improving connectivity across the UK, as we have been for the last 20 years. We are eager to help during the pandemic and so we are really pleased to be donating 250 Huawei Pupil Packs to schools in Greater Manchester, with the support of our partners at Three UK. We hope this donation goes some way to breaking down those barriers and helping school children continue their education at this uniquely challenging time.â€
Home-schooling leads to a new found appreciation for teachers
5% of parents now considering a career in education Suggested areas of improvement for streamlining home-schooling by parents revealed After taking on part of the responsibility for educating their child, almost half (49%) of parents stated that they’re significantly more appreciative of work that teachers do and cited Maths (31%) and Sciences (26%) as the hardest subjects to teach, according to research* has revealed. As we enter what parents hope to be the final stretch of home-schooling before pupils return to school, parents have also highlighted that more virtual contact time between teachers and children (31%) and lesson plans received further in advance (26%) and in more detail (24%) as the main areas that would provide them with more assistance. Despite this, 5% of parents have said they are now considering a career in education because of their experience home-schooling. High Speed Training’s research, which involved polling 2,000 parents nationwide, revealed that children interested in the arts were shown to be the ones missing out on the most support whilst not in a school setting, with almost half (46%) of parents admitting that they haven’t taught their children drama, followed by music at 36%. According to the findings, women were taking on the majority of the responsibility for home-schooling, with 90% of females admitting that they were the only ones in the household helping to educate their child – with 58% of women juggling this alongside their job. The elongated period of home-schooling has also had a strong impact on parents’ lives across the UK, with the amount of time to relax (29%), stress and anxiety (36%) and longer working days (30%) reported as the biggest areas of concern. Parents have also admitted that the biggest struggle was to keep their child focussed (49%), having time for education amongst other pressures (35%) and implementing structure to the day (29%). As a result, over a third of parents (39%) have admitted that their children are missing out on up to four hours of school time whilst at home. The biggest impact on children as a result of home-schooling, according to their parents, was that they were now less active (44%), more reliant on virtual devices (38%) and were falling behind on social skills (32%). Catherine Talbot, Education Sector Analyst and Course Lead at High Speed Training, said: “There has been a unanimous effort by both teachers and parents alike to provide the best possible education for children across the country. As we look towards the future, with children returning to school safely, it’s uplifting to see that parents are now significantly more appreciative of the hard work that goes into being a great teacher and are now considering a change in career. We urge those exploring a potential job in education to research and familiarise themselves with their area of expertise and passion, so that together we can provide the best possible education for future generations to come.†To support those seeking additional support when home-schooling, High Speed Training has a range of free to view resources available online at https://www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/hub/
Children’s Mental Health Week (February 1-7) An activity for every day
With children and young people’s mental health so badly effected by lockdown and prolonged absence from school, this year’s Children’s Mental Health Week has a particular resonance. Former primary school teacher Laura Steele of education experts PlanBee has gathered a week’s worth of fantastic FREE resources in one downloadable pack. Parents can use them to help their children explore their mental health and give them the tools to express their thoughts and feelings. Monday: dealing with physical sensations Warm Fuzzies and Cold Pricklies Posters These posters aim to help your child understand some of the physical sensations that accompany different feelings. Explore and discuss the vocabulary on each poster. You could ask children: Do you know what this word means? Have you ever felt like this? What made you feel this way? Could you add any more words to either of the posters? Older children may find the Synonym Booklet of Emotions useful to expand their vocabulary and help them to better express themselves. Tuesday: an emoji that fits your mood Printable Emojis Emotion Faces Cards Use these 16 feelings and emotions cards to develop discussion around a range of different feelings, using the questions below each emoji. If your children cannot think of an example, you could describe and explain a time when you felt this way. They could also be asked whether each of the cards represent a ‘warm fuzzy’ or a ‘cold prickly’ feeling, picking up on yesterday’s discussions. You could then challenge your child to use the Design your own Emotion Emojis sheet to create their own versions. Encourage them to think about their personal experience of each emotion, and think carefully about the shape, colour, size and facial expression they choose. Wednesday: that nagging feeling Worry Monster Activity Sheets Today’s resource focuses on a specific feeling: worry, or anxiety. Tell your child that everyone experiences this feeling sometimes, and more often than not, acknowledging and talking about the reasons why you are worried or anxious can help you to feel better. These Worry Monster Activity Sheets can help your children to voice, and then deal with, any anxieties they may have. Thursday: take a deep breath Calming Techniques for Kids Posters Anger and frustration can be difficult emotions for anyone to deal with, not least children. These posters offer a range of techniques that can be used almost anywhere, in any situation. The first four posters (The Calm Down Cake, The Slow Down Star, The Slow Down Square and the Helping Hand) direct children to focus on their breathing, using an image to help them do this. Discuss and practise the techniques together, first with and then without the posters in front of them, so children realise that these strategies can be successful using only their imagination if needed. The final poster in the pack (5…4…3…2…1), may be more suitable for older children. They are directed to use all of their senses to focus and calm the mind. They can do this for the actual environment they are in, or an imagined one, such as a park, a beach or a forest. Friday: let’s meditate Meditation for Kids Guide Sheet The mental benefits of meditation are now widely recognised – for children as well as adults. Research has shown that short, regular meditation sessions can have a positive effect on children’s attention, focus, self-awareness, and their management of thoughts and feelings. This Guide Sheet is a simple, easy introduction to meditation, with step-by-step instructions to follow. Try a short session with your child. Ask them how they feel afterwards. You could try to add a session like this into your daily routine, and see what effect it has over time on your child’s emotional well-being. Saturday: developing a growth mindset Fixed vs Growth Mindset Poster A person with a fixed mindset feels that they have no control over their abilities, or problems they may face. But someone with a growth mindset knows that they can improve their abilities and overcome difficulties if they persevere and are patient with themselves. Discuss these differences with your child, and look at the poster for examples of each type of mindset. What type of mindset does your child think they have, and why? Why might it be better to have a growth mindset? Children could use the blank poster provided to write their own personal examples of statements they made when they felt they had a fixed mindset, and how they could turn this around into a growth mindset statement. Sunday: looking on the bright side What are you Thankful For? Discussion Cards End the week on a positive note with this activity, where children are encouraged to think about all the different aspects of their life that they are thankful for. A blank template is included for children to record these thoughts. The I am Lucky Because… activity sheet may be more suitable for younger children, where they are encouraged to think about and complete the sentences, ‘I am lucky because I can…’, ‘I am lucky because I am’… and ‘I am lucky because I have…’. You can download PlanBee’s Children’s Mental Health Week Activity Pack, which includes all of the resources mentioned above, for FREE!