Promoting positive mental wellbeing

Children’s Mental Health Week 

From relaxing art workshops to mindfulness meditation, pupils across all year groups at Fairfield have been celebrating Children’s Mental Health Week this week. Designed to raise awareness about healthy habits and encourage our pupils to check in on their own mental wellbeing, taking time to focus on activities like these is an important addition to the school curriculum. 

For our youngest Kindergarten pupils, activities have included ballet, painting, signing and even a foot spa session! The lights were lowered, some calm music was put on, and they sat around a tray full of water and bubbles, whilst being encouraged to talk about how it made them feel.   

Activities for our Lower Prep children ranged from colouring by candlelight to ‘Just Dance’, cosmic yoga and baking. Year 1 spent an afternoon decorating biscuits and discussing ways in which they like to unwind whilst Year 2 baked their very own banana bread. Miss De Pace explained to the children that cooking is what helps her relax and find peace during more stressful times.  

“What makes me happy is when I go for walks. It clears my mind and I feel happy.”

Aryan, Year 2

Upper Prep pupils were taught some simple yet effective breathing exercises to help them feel calm and also had the opportunity to go outside and get some fresh air by walking or jogging. They also enjoyed some meditation sessions, getting out in nature and mindful colouring time. 

Alongside this, our Head of Art, Mrs Chadwick, ran a series of mindful art sessions for Upper Prep pupils focused on using art to express emotions. Children had the opportunity to try a line drawing activity, decorate zentangle patterns and to create a collective art piece in the style of Doodle Boy.

“Music makes me happy the most and then I like drama as well. Music just takes me off into a different world.”

Charlotte, Year 6

Reflecting on the week, Head of Fairfield Prep School, Andrew Earnshaw, said: “Children’s Mental Health Week is an important opportunity for us at Fairfield to shine a light on something that underpins everyday life at our school: the emotional wellbeing of our pupils. While supporting children’s mental health is not confined to one week, this moment in the calendar allows us to slow things down slightly and be intentional about creating space for reflection, joy and connection.”