I have worked in Primary Education for over 25 years and was a Primary Head Teacher for 11 years. I have a passionate interest in developing the whole child and this has developed into researching and learning about the mind, the impact of anxiety and stress, low self esteem and children’s perceptions of themselves on learning and educational outcomes. The philosophy behind mindography is to develop academic rigour through a better understanding of the mind and emotional well-being.
Recent research from the University of East London shows that regular relaxation sessions in schools and/or designated sessions can improve a child’s lifestyle and encourage them to be positive, more focussed and have greater control of their feelings. It also helps to develop more positive behaviour.
As a Head Teacher I was worried about mental health issues amongst my pupils and the increased negative effect that anxiety disorders can have on children’s emotional, social and academic development and their future health. At mindography we hope to introduce children to a range of skills and activities which will help them to better understand their mind, their behaviour and their responses to certain situations and support them in developing their self esteem, their self confidence and their emotional wellbeing. We give them the skills for life long learning and self support.
At mindography we can offer a range of whole class, small group and 1:1 sessions which can be tailor-made to meet the needs of your school and your children. These can include using specific approaches and activities such as:
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Relax Kids
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Massage In Schools Programme.
We can also offer bespoke and tailor-made:
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Group and whole class sessions
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1:1 support for targeted children, especially for those with ADHD, Aspergers, Autistic Spectrum Disorders
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SATS preparation
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Support in writing your School Improvement Plan focussing on “developing a growth mindset” for the whole school
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Staff meetings and CPD around emotional well-being, mindfulness and relaxation techniques
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Support in the teaching of PSHE
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PPA cover
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Sessions for parents and carers
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Family sessions
Gill Smith
Relax Kids
Relax Kids is about supporting a child’s confidence, self esteem and emotional wellbeing and thus promoting a healthy lifestyle. The sessions follow a unique 7 step programme designed to bring children from high energy to a relaxed state which is conducive to learning and concentration. Relaxation also improves self confidence and self esteem, helping children to feel calm and focussed. The programme is a combination of creative play, games, stretching, breathing exercises, peer/self massage, positive statements, visualisation and mindfulness. It promotes physical, mental and emotional health and allows children to have fun whilst learning skills for life prompting healthy habits to self regulate stress and promote life long wellbeing.
Each session lasts approximately 45 minutes. You choose if you want the class teacher to remain in or not. Parental consent is required for the peer massage – if children don’t want to participate in peer massage they can always do self massage or watch.
Aims and benefits of the Relax Kids sessions are:
To help children:
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Learn basic relaxation and stress-reducing techniques
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Use relaxation techniques every day
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Appreciate the benefits of relaxation
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Become aware of their feelings and emotions and learn techniques to manage these feelings
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Have fun whilst exercising and learning to relax
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Develop emotional and physical fitness
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Develop concentration skills
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Improve their general behaviour
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Promote positive self image and self esteem
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Improve school performance
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Self soothe and self regulate
Body:
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Develops body awareness
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Develops flexibility
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Decreases physical tension
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Helps release endorphins
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Brings energy to the whole system
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Helps relax muscles
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Promotes general good health
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Calms the nervous system
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Improves coordination and balance
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Promotes deeper sleep
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Improves circulation and energy levels
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Improves the immune system
Mind:
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Stills, calms and clears the mind
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Sharpens concentration
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Promotes positive thinking
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Decreases stress and mental tension
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Improves memory retention
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Develops listening skills
Emotions and behaviour:
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Develops self confidence and self esteem
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Improves emotional health and literacy
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Develops imagination, creativity and self expression
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Gives children tools to cope with stress and anxiety
Children Learn What They Live
(Dorothy L Nolte)
If children live with criticism, they learnt to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to be shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn what envy is.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with tolerance, they learn to be patient.
If children live with encouragement, they learn to be confident.
If children live with praise, they learn to appreciate.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to find love in the world.
If children live with recognition, they learn to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn to be generous.
If children live with honesty and fairness, they learn what truth and justice are.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those around them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn that the world is a nice place in which to live.
If children live with serenity, they learn to have peace of mind.
With what are your children living?
Massage in Schools Programme
“The effects of massage are immediate ….. yet they last a lifetime”
Massage In Schools Programme was introduced into the UK in 2001 and it is a nationally recognised anti-bullying strategy since 2004.
How it works
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A fun, daily 10-15 minute adult led peer massage routine
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Massage is given only by children to other children
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Massage is given over clothes and only to the back, neck, head, arms and hands
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Massage is received and given only with a child’s permission
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MISP is an inclusive programme for children aged 4-12 years
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MISP encourages learning through positive touch games and activities and by creating massage stories
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MISP is suitable as a classroom activity or in other child-centered environments eg. after school clubs
Benefits for children, teachers and their schools
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Creates a safe and happy learning environment
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Helps develop concentration and memory
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Fosters physical development through creative kinaesthetic motor skills
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Develops respect for others and increases social inclusion and empathy
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Enables children to distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate touch
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Has resulted in a significant reduction in bullying and aggression
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An inclusive activity enjoyed by children that engages with the diverse needs of all pupils
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Enhances a school’s mission statement and ethos
The basic massage routine
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A series of simple movements that evoke images, thereby engaging the child’s natural faculty of imagination:
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Ask permission
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Eyeglasses
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Cat grip
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Baker
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Scooping
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Forehead stroke
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Hairdresser
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Slide
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Climbing down a rope
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Bunny hops
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Hearts
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Butterfly
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Bear walk
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Ice skating
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Brushing the horse
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Brushing off the snow
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Saying thank you
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“When stress piles upon stress without the relief of an equal portion of relaxation, the body begins to shut out all sensory intake and the learning process is completely blocked”
(Vimala McClure, Infant Massage – A Handbook for Loving Parents, Bantam Books, 2001)
What mindography can offer
13 The Hall Coppice
Egerton
Bolton
LANCS
BL7 9UE
t: 01204 416681
m: 07887 606821
e: info@mindography.co.uk