We’re coming to the end of 2020, andit has been a uniquely challenging anddifficult year for schools. The Christmas holidays this year maybe welcome for some staff and pupils,but anxiety-inducing for others. Childrenmay be worried about what the festiveseason will look like this year, andschool staff may be worried about howanother break from schooling willimpact pupils. We’ve put together this toolkit to helpyou and your pupils reflect on 2020,and manage any end-of-termanxieties. We’re also sharing someresources to support the wellbeing ofstaff and parents and carers during thistime.

Looking back andplanning ahead toolkit

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12 days of positivity - Mentally Healthy SchoolsPractise positive thinking in your classroom in thelead up to Christmas, with this 12-day calendar ofactivities and thoughts to promote positivityamongst your pupils.

Resources for pupils

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Reflecting on lockdown activity – MentallyHealthy SchoolsThis resource helps children think about what theyhave experienced during lockdown and copewith the changes that have occurred.

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Letting go & future plans – Partnership forChildrenUse these activities to encourage children toaccept and let go of the things they missed out onin 2020, and to look forward to things they can doin the future.

https://mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/resources/12-days-of-positivity/https://mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/resources/reflecting-on-lockdown-activity/https://www.partnershipforchildren.org.uk/uploads/Files/PDFs/Resilience%20Activities/Letting%20Go%20and%20Future%20plans.pdfhttps://www.partnershipforchildren.org.uk/uploads/Files/PDFs/Resilience%20Activities/Letting%20Go%20and%20Future%20plans.pdf

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Tracking feelings - Mentally Healthy SchoolsThe end of term and prospect of an unusual Christmasbreak may be causing children some anxiety. This simpleemotion and activity tracker will help children keep aneye on points in the school day which may be triggerpoints for heightened emotions.

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'The Huge Bag of Worries' activity – Oxford HealthRead or listen to 'The Huge Bag of Worries' by VirginiaIronside, and then explore the concept of worries usingthis guide. You could use this activity to help children thinkabout what might be worrying them about the upcomingholidays and how to address those concerns.

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Helping children reframe negative thoughts – MentallyHealthy SchoolsThis simple activity shows children how to reframe theirthinking around a negative situation, and look for positiveways to view the situation.

https://mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/resources/tracking-my-feelings/https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/children-and-young-people/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/10/Primary-pack-17-Huge-bag-of-worries.pdfhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QwEOSBjOt8&t=5shttps://mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/resources/helping-children-reframe-negative-thoughts/https://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/login-register/

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Mental health and wellbeing calendar: spring term2021 – Mentally Healthy SchoolsPlan in your wellbeing activities for January to March2021 with this calendar. It highlights curriculum themesand occasions where mental health can be exploredand celebrated. For each section there aresuggestions for what schools can do, and resources tosupport any activity planned. You can also seeawareness days for the rest of the year in our yearlycalendar.

Resources for staff

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Sharing good practice and looking to the future –Anna Freud CentreReflect on 2020 with these case studies from schools,explaining steps they have taken to deal with thecoronavirus pandemic. It also looks at lessons learnedand how we can apply them as we move forward intoa new year.

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Free supporting staff seminar – Anna Freud CentreAt the Anna Freud Centre, we are hosting a freeseminar for school staff on 7th January 2021. Basedaround the supporting staff section of our 5 Steps toMental Health and Wellbeing framework, the seminarwill focus on the importance of staff wellbeing.

https://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/resources/mental-health-and-wellbeing-calendar-spring-term-2021/https://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/resources/mental-health-awareness-days-a-2021-guide-for-schools/https://www.annafreud.org/media/12060/sharing-good-practice-looking-to-the-future-june-2020-updated.pdfhttps://www.annafreud.org/training/training-and-conferences-overview/online-conferences-webinars-and-events/5-steps-to-mental-health-and-wellbeing-supporting-staff/http://www.annafreud.org/5steps

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Managing uncertainty in uncertain times –Education SupportManaging the many uncertainties caused by thepandemic can be difficult. This practical advice foreducation staff aims to help you to cope moreeffectively.

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Headspace appThe popular mindfulness app Headspace is currentlyfree to all school staff in the UK. Although the impact ofmindfulness on mental health is not clinically proven,the guided activities in this app may help you to feelcalmer during the last few weeks of term.

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Six ways to support your children as lockdowneases - BBC BitesizeAs we move in and out of lockdowns across the UK,how can parents and carers support their children’swellbeing through these changes and uncertainties?Our clinician Dr Cyra Neave shares some tips.

Resources for parents and carers

https://www.educationsupport.org.uk/resources/video/managing-uncertainty-uncertain-timeshttps://www.headspace.com/educatorshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zkqtjsg

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Mental wellbeing audio guides – NHSThe Christmas holidays can be stressful enough forparents and carers, even without the complications ofa global pandemic. These short audio guides aredesigned to be listened to when experiencing issueslike low mood, anxiety or sleep problems.

December wellbeing calendar – Action forHappinessThis calendar suggests a different simple wellbeingactivity for each day of December. Schools couldshare this with parents and carers to encourage themto focus on their own wellbeing during the holidays.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/moodzone-mental-wellbeing-audio-guides/https://www.actionforhappiness.org/decemberhttps://www.instagram.com/afnccf/https://www.facebook.com/AFNCCF/https://twitter.com/AFNCCFhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN8HoTxrHO8RJdoB4isH0lAhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/anna-freud-centrehttps://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/https://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/login-register/https://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/login-register/