From The School Counsellor - Beth Cronin

Thriving and Resilient Kids

As your school counsellor, I'm eager to share a brilliant resource that many of our teachers are already embracing in the classroom to support our students' social and emotional wellbeing: Grow Your Mind.

At school, we are continually working to equip our children with the skills they need to navigate their emotions, build resilience, and foster strong, healthy friendships. A key part of this involves understanding how our amazing brains work!

Some of our teachers are using Grow Your Mind's engaging podcasts and videos to help children learn about their "brain animals" – like the Guard Dog (our amygdala, which looks out for danger and can get big when we're worried or angry), the Wise Owl (our prefrontal cortex, which helps us think clearly and make good choices), and the Elephant (our hippocampus, which helps us remember). Understanding these parts of the brain helps children learn to manage their big feelings and respond thoughtfully, rather than react impulsively. It also helps us as the significant adults in their lives. All of us have a Guard Dog that can get big and bossy at times. 

We've seen how these simple analogies empower children to understand themselves better, which in turn helps them listen more effectively, join in activities with confidence, and build thriving friendships.

I highly encourage you to explore these free resources at home with your children. It's a wonderful way to open up conversations about mental health, emotions, and relationships in a fun and accessible way.

You can watch the engaging Grow Your Mind Animals video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI1xY_Hj3U4

And dive into the award-winning Grow Your Mind Podcast, hosted by kids for kids, covering topics like courage, emotional regulation, and friendships: https://growyourmind.life/podcast/

By listening and learning together, you can reinforce the important messages your children are hearing at school and continue to build a shared language around wellbeing and mental fitness at home.

Warmly,

Beth Cronin