Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS)

The Resilience Project in Foundation

Building Emotional Literacy in Our Foundation Students ('Lean on Me') 

Last week, our Foundation students embarked on an important lesson focused on Emotional Literacy - an essential skill that helps children understand and manage their feelings. Through this engaging activity, students explored the idea of safe and trusted adults in their lives, learning that it’s okay to ask for help whenever they need it.

The goal of the lesson was for students to recognise that everyone experiences many different feelings and that being mindful of these emotions takes practise. They learnt to notice and name their feelings as they happen, which is the first step towards managing them effectively.

Students practised identifying various emotions and explored healthy ways to reset, express, or change how they feel. They also talked about who they can turn to for support, emphasising the importance of reaching out when emotions become overwhelming.

An exciting part of the lesson was its connection to Drama. Students used body language and facial expressions to act out different emotions, helping them communicate feelings in a fun and creative way.

This foundational work in emotional literacy not only supports children’s wellbeing but also helps them develop empathy and stronger relationships with others. We encourage you to continue these conversations at home, helping your child recognise and talk about their feelings.

Here is some fantastic work from our Foundation students: