This year Children’s Mental Health Week is 5th-11th February, the aim of this is to bring awareness to an issue that we are grappling with on a daily basis. According to an NHS England report published today, 1 in 5 children and young people aged 8 – 25 years now have a probable mental health condition – around 5 children in every classroom. This is an increase from 1 in 9 in 2017. Children’s mental health and wellbeing is one of the most commonly cited challenges on Pupil Premium strategy statements.
We are aware of the pressures of funding and capacity within the wider system, issues outside of the control of teachers and school leaders, so what can we do in the classroom? How can we support children to develop a wellbeing toolbox?
Recommendation 2 from the improving social and emotional learning (SEL) in primary schools guidance report emphasises the importance of integrating and modelling SEL skills through everyday teaching. English lessons are an excellent opportunity for this, children can use stories as the basis for discussing feelings and motivations. Open ended questions can enable children to link fiction to their own experiences, learn new vocabulary and practise applying social and emotional skills.
Mental health matters: integrating social and emotional learning skills through reading
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