Forward Plan for Health and Wellbeing: Mental, Emotional, Social, and Physical Wellbeing

Desired Outcome: I am aware of and able to express my feelings and am developing the ability to talk about them.

Target Audience: Early Level (Nursery to Primary 1)

Focus: Mental Health

Introduction: This forward plan aims to promote mental health and wellbeing among early-level learners in accordance with the Scottish Curriculum. By creating a supportive and inclusive environment, we will help children develop an understanding of their feelings and provide them with the necessary tools to express and communicate their emotions effectively.

Key Areas of Focus: 1. Developing Emotional Literacy: a. Introduce a range of emotions through stories, songs, and visual aids. b. Encourage children to identify and label their emotions using simple language. c. Provide opportunities for children to express their feelings through art, drama, and play.

1. Building Emotional Vocabulary: a. Introduce a variety of feeling words and phrases. b. Engage in discussions about different emotions and their causes. c. Encourage children to use appropriate vocabulary to express their emotions.

2. Promoting Emotional Regulation: a. Teach simple relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and stretching exercises. b. Provide a calm and safe space for children to retreat to when feeling overwhelmed. c. Encourage children to identify and use coping strategies when faced with challenging situations.

3. Encouraging Peer Support and Empathy: a. Foster a caring and inclusive classroom environment. b. Promote positive relationships through cooperative play and group activities. c. Teach children to listen and respond empathetically to their peers’ feelings.

4. Involving Families and the Community: a. Share information and resources with families to support mental health at home. b. Invite parents and caregivers to participate in workshops on emotional wellbeing. c. Collaborate with local mental health organizations to provide additional support and resources.

Implementation Strategies: 1. Staff Training: a. Provide professional development opportunities for staff on promoting mental health in early-level learners. b. Equip staff with strategies to identify and support children experiencing emotional difficulties.

1. Curriculum Integration: a. Embed mental health and wellbeing into various areas of the curriculum, such as literacy, numeracy, and physical education. b. Incorporate stories, songs, and activities that promote emotional literacy and regulation.

2. Learning Environment: a. Create a calm and welcoming classroom environment with designated areas for relaxation and reflection. b. Display visual aids, posters, and emotion charts to support emotional understanding and expression.

3. Partnership with Parents and Carers: a. Organize regular parent workshops to share information and strategies for supporting children’s mental health at home. b. Establish open lines of communication with parents and carers to address any concerns or questions.

4. Evaluation and Reflection: a. Regularly assess the impact of the forward plan through observations, feedback, and discussions with staff, children, and families. b. Reflect on the effectiveness of strategies and make necessary adjustments to ensure continuous improvement.

Conclusion: By implementing this forward plan, we aim to create a nurturing and supportive environment where early-level learners can develop their emotional literacy, express their feelings, and build resilience. Through collaboration with families and the wider community, we will ensure that children receive the necessary support to promote positive mental health and wellbeing.