Happy Body, Happy Mind

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, Junior School pupils have had great fun taking part in the King’s Chester Wellbeing Games. 

Devised by Junior School PE teacher, Emily Williams, a carousel of games and activities gave pupils an opportunity to reflect on the positive impact that physical activity has on their mental wellbeing. 

From running to a giant game of throwing noughts and crosses, and yoga to a wellbeing walk, the games encouraged a variety of skills including teamwork, collaborative thinking, mindfulness and friendly competition. 

Miss Williams was delighted with how pupils responded to the challenges.

She said: “It is so important that children understand how physical activity can affect how they feel as this is an important stepping stone to helping them build healthy and positive habits. 

“At every activity station, there was an opportunity for children to reflect on how they felt; the Wellbeing Walk encouraged them to talk about their feelings and emotions, the running challenge asked them to identify with an emoji after each run, and yoga was an opportunity to slow down and work closely with a partner to achieve a common goal.”

The Wellbeing Games took inspiration from the myHappymind programme that all pupils follow in Junior School, which helps children understand their brains and emotions, build resilience and self-esteem, and promotes positive mental wellbeing.