Wellbeing Wednesday: Celebrating Children's Mental Health Week
05 Feb 2025
At École Jacques Prévert, we are gearing up for a meaningful and enriching event in honour of Children’s Mental Health Week 2025. This year’s theme,
Know Yourself, Grow Yourself, will guide our activities and discussions throughout the week as we focus on supporting our pupils' mental health and personal growth. We believe that understanding and nurturing mental health is just as important as academic learning, and this week provides an opportunity for us all to come together as a community to explore how we can better understand ourselves and grow into confident, resilient individuals. Every pupil across all year groups will engage in activities linked to the theme during their PSHCE (Personal, Social, Health, and Citizenship Education) lessons.
Launching the Week with CM1 and CM2 Assembly
Our Children’s Mental Health Week will kick off with a special assembly for CM1 and CM2 pupils on Monday morning. This assembly will introduce the Know Yourself, Grow Yourself theme, helping pupils reflect on their emotions, identity, and how they can take steps to nurture their mental wellbeing.
We will explore ways to improve self-awareness, discuss strategies for coping with challenges, and learn how small positive changes can contribute to overall mental health. By starting the week with an assembly, we hope to set the tone for the activities ahead, sparking meaningful conversations and giving our pupils a solid foundation for the week.
Activities and Learning in PSHCE
Throughout the week, pupils will dive into a range of interactive and thought-provoking activities that support the theme. From guided mindfulness exercises to creative self-expression workshops, the focus will be on self-discovery and fostering an environment where children feel safe and supported to talk about their mental health.
In CP, pupils will be making pebble paintings using colours that represent positive thoughts. This creative activity will allow them to engage with colour and self-expression, focusing on cultivating positivity.
In CE1 to CM2, the pupils will be making stress balls as a fun and practical way to support mental health. These stress balls will serve as a tool for releasing stress and anxiety, encouraging pupils to take time for themselves and engage in activities they enjoy.
Younger pupils will engage in imaginative activities, like drawing, storytelling, and role-playing, that encourage them to reflect on who they are and how they can grow in positive ways.
By the end of next week, we aim for every pupil to have gained a deeper understanding of themselves and their emotions, along with practical tools they can use to continue growing their mental wellbeing.
Why It Matters
Children’s Mental Health Week serves as a reminder that mental health is a journey. It is important for children to understand that it’s okay to talk about how they feel, and that mental health is something that can be nurtured and developed over time. By providing children with the tools to manage their emotions and build resilience, we are helping shape a generation of confident, empathetic individuals.
At École Jacques Prévert, we are committed to fostering an environment where mental health is prioritised, and this week is just one of the many steps we take to ensure our pupils’ well-being is at the heart of everything we do.
Tips for Families to Support Mental Health at Home
As we celebrate Children’s Mental Health Week, here are a few tips for families to continue supporting their children’s mental health:
1. Create a Safe Space for Conversations: Encourage open discussions about feelings and emotions. Let your child know that it’s okay to feel sad, worried, or frustrated, and that these feelings don’t have to be kept inside.
2. Practice Mindfulness Together: Engage in simple mindfulness exercises at home. This could be as simple as breathing exercises, journaling, or taking a moment to appreciate nature.
3. Promote Healthy Routines: Ensure that your child has a consistent routine that includes time for schoolwork, relaxation, exercise, and social activities. Routines help children feel safe and in control.
4. Encourage Self-Care: Help your child discover activities that they enjoy and that make them feel good, whether it’s drawing, playing a sport, or reading. Encourage them to take time for themselves to recharge.
5. Model Emotional Awareness: Show your child how you manage your own emotions. Share with them when you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed and how you handle those emotions in a healthy way.
6. Limit Screen Time: Encourage healthy boundaries around screen time. Too much time spent online can sometimes have a negative impact on mental health, so balance it with other activities that promote well-being.
Resources and Helpful Links
For families looking for more ways to support their child’s mental health, here are a few useful resources:
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Children’s Mental Health Week Resources (Place2Be): Visit the
Place2Be website for more information on Children’s Mental Health Week and practical tips for families.
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Young Minds: A fantastic resource for understanding and supporting children’s mental health. You can find helpful advice for parents and carers on their website:
youngminds.org.uk.
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MindEd: This free educational resource is designed to help adults support children and young people’s mental health. Learn more at
minded.org.uk.
Moving Forward
We encourage parents to get involved! Continue the conversation at home by asking your children about the activities they took part in during the week and supporting their understanding of the importance of mental health.
Best wishes,
Mrs. Weber