Burnley primary school pupils focus on mental health to ease stress of lockdown

Springfield Primary School children learning from home and in school enjoyed a "no screen day" to focus on activities that would boost their mental health.

Younger pupils were given the task of creating a face out of fruit and vegetables to express how they were feeling and what makes them happy, while Year 1 were asked to draw around their hand and draw or write somebody on each finger who they could talk to when you don't feel too great.

Year 2 read a story called ‘We are all Different’ and made their own stories about themselves. They also talked about rainbows being a symbol of hope and used household objects to create a giant rainbow at home.

Stefanie Staples, Key Stage 2 curriculum lead, said: "In school, staff have based activities making the children think of their own well-being and their holistic development.

They have had lots of time to access ‘GoNoodle & Cosmic Kids’ activities for their mental health. Another activity was to think of people around us that help us and then draw a self-portrait, this was to identify who helps us in our day to day lives to help them see the bigger picture of family, friends and community.

"One of the activities was to design and create a worry doll. These worry dolls can be used to then speak to you at a time which they feel worried.

"It came from Guatemalan culture but can work well to relieve anxiety and stress for children who feel alone. Then on Friday, we finished the week with a good old-fashioned party as nothing makes you feel better than a good party with friends, good music and some nice snacks."

Meanwhile, older children learned about emotional intelligence and reflected on what causes them to feel different ways.