Wellbeing

At St Louis, we understand the importance of leading healthy and balanced lifestyles that support positive physical, mental and social wellbeing. This week, we are excited to announce the long awaited opening of The Hive, a space that aligns with this value. The Hive sits in a central hub of our school, and offers children the opportunity to regulate their emotions, have downtime, practice mindfulness and participate in group activities that foster a space to learn, be heard and engage. The Hive holds a number of different areas that are inspired by the different sensory systems. Those children who are experiencing overwhelm, anger or anxiety are supported to regulate in one of the sensory areas, giving their brain more of what it needs to function at its best.

Student voice has been an important part of the process in creating The Hive. Wellbeing is supported through areas for silence or rhythm, movement or stillness, creating or breathing, fidgeting or reading. The area currently receiving the most foot traffic in The Hive is Movement Mountain! This area provides children with proprioceptive input which supports regulation through moving, jumping, throwing, bouncing or lifting. The physical exercise can assist in expelling the pent up anger, hyperactivity or anxiety.

The Hive is a space for the children to co-regulate with an educator, and in turn through these experiences, learn the valuable life-long skill of how to self-regulate. The goal is for the children to leave the space with greater autonomy in self-management, a sense of calm and improved focus to engage with effective learning.  

We all experience cognitive overload, decision fatigue and sensory overwhelm - all which can lead to being in survival mode. At St Louis we support children to empower themselves in knowing how to give their brains more of what it needs to function at its best. 

Below contains some useful tips on assisting your child's regulation or anxiety from Allison Davies, one of Australia's leading parenting and child behavioural experts. If you have any concerns or questions, please reach out to help support you through this process. 

Click here.