Mental Health Week reflected in latest GYM homework

This week is Children’s Mental Health Week and the children at KSA have thoroughly enjoyed sharing with their classes the GYM (Grow Your Mind) projects they worked on over the weekend. They proved to be great discussion topics to have with the children on ways in which they can support their own well-being.

Children of all ages proved to be green-fingered gardeners as they took some time out in nature to help in the garden, and some families enjoyed spending time “walking and talking” on mindful walks.

Some children chose to complete an exercise activity, where they were mindful of how their body felt during exercise and during recovery. This ranged from energetic workout routines at home and dancing and singing to their favourite songs to taking part in park runs, gymnastics and yoga sessions.

Spending time away from screens, such as reading books in cosy dens, painting and playing board games was a great way to unwind for many children this weekend. Helping to make a healthy meal for the family and eating a rainbow of foods was also popular. Making and starting to fill gratitude jars was a lovely way to focus on all the things we have for which to be grateful.

As ever, the children impressed us with their arts and crafts skills. Beautiful pieces of wild art had been made using natural items from the garden, and some children made colourful posters and photo collages illustrating what made them happy. Making new emotions characters was a popular choice, as well as creating self-portraits and illustrating them with the attributes that the children liked about themselves. We loved seeing the fantastic “positivity pebbles” that were created by the children which made members of the local community smile when they found them! Doodling, making sensory bottles and worry monsters were also popular options with the younger children.

Well done to all who took part! We loved seeing and hearing about your mindful moments over the weekend.