Teacher Toolbox
Mental and emotional wellbeing advice and resources; for you, your children and your classroom.Making time for Self-Praise
It's easy to automatically focus on things we still haven't done, tasks we need to get better at and the constant urge to BE BETTER and DO BETTER in our lives. Schools are places of learning and as children learn one thing, they build on...
What to do when your mind goes blank during SATs, exam or school tests
Year 6 children, teachers and school staff in Learnful Schools watched this video to learn about how to help themselves when their mind goes blank in a test. The immediate emotional reaction is to get stressed... Body contracts and tenses Breath shallows and quickens...
How Children and School Staff Manage Unpleasant Emotions
Children and school staff in Learnful Schools watched this video to learn about dealing with unpleasant feelings. Watch the video, then read the comments and insights they made below! https://vimeo.com/671663697 Here’s what children (and adults) in Learnful Schools...
Summer Holiday Habit for Mental Wellness
Direct your thinking mind to pay attention to the good stuff with a daily, positive reflection practice.Suitable to share with your family, other parents, your children and fellow educators. https://vimeo.com/571158956 If you want to find out more about how I support...
Uncomfortable, edgy feelings for children and staff as schools re-connect
Most people in schools next week will be experiencing and operating with an internal ‘edginess’. It’s understandable, uncomfortable and perfectly normal under the circumstances. But how much openness and discussion will there be about these feelings? My worry is that...
Children teaching adults about joy, fun, gratitude and approaching each moment with a clean slate
Three mindfulness teachings, all before 8am, delivered to you by a 3 year old and 5 year old… Lesson 1 “Is it morning time?” asks my 3 year old at 6:50am. “It is.” I reply. “Yessss!” he responds, throwing the cover off his bed. What adults do you know (yourself...
Mindful Volcano Drawing: Teaching children to be aware of emotional reactions and eruptions
I’ve had a few conversations recently about people reacting in an aggressive manner rather than responding in a calm way. The first was a Headteacher receiving abuse from parents when reminded to wear a mask on site. The other was a friend in a supermarket...
Educators Finding Ease: Doing one thing well with full attention
You want your life to feel easier YET you work in education and there's no let up. No chance to feel relaxed whilst at work. It's full-on or nothing. However, it IS possible to bring elements of ease into your school day without requiring extra minutes or additional...
Counting Breaths: Mindfulness practice for teachers to use during the school day
What wellbeing practice have you got planned in for next week to support your learners? If you haven’t got any please have a go at this one. It’s great for calming, bringing attention IN to ourselves and for focus and concentration. All skills that are super important...
Mindfulness INSET Training for School Staff
Mindfulness isn't all gongs, postures and for people who have loads of time to spare. It's for you too. Calm, happy teachers cultivate calm, happy classrooms and calm, happy learners. For this world to change for the good, we need mentally and emotionally healthy...