Schools can do so much for a child's mental state. A good environment at school, with the right teachers who believe in them and treat them well, not to mention the right social scene, can build up a child and make a difference for their entire life. Conversely, with teachers who do problematic things, or don't know how to handle social situations correctly, school can cause lasting trauma in someone's lives. With so much at stake, let's learn more about how we can help make sure that school is a place that enhances a kid's mental and physical wellbeing.
The number of students affected by mental health conditions is rising, with an NHS survey revealing one in eight 5-19 year olds in England had a diagnosable condition in 2017. In a nationwide Primary Schools survey, 66% of parents reported their child regularly feels anxious about school. International School students face additional stress from adapting to new cultures. Increasing exam demands and modern school environments heighten this anxiety.
Schools must evaluate their wellbeing procedures, but with limited resources and numerous students, staff are under significant pressure to meet safeguarding requirements and provide quality educational experiences.
Prioritizing a child's mental health and wellbeing can enhance their ability to handle major life events like stress, trauma, and physical illness. Kids with strong mental wellbeing tend to be more involved in class, behave better, and progress further, and they also manage stress and recover from illness more effectively.
How can schools ensure student wellbeing?
Emphasize Nutrition
Promoting a nutritious, well balanced diet for students is vital for their wellbeing, focus, and academic achievements. This holds particular significance in underprivileged communities, where malnutrition prevails. Amid the COVID-19 lockdowns, numerous students faced severe impacts, with a substantial proportion experiencing underweight conditions.
To combat this, schools, supported by initiatives like those from the Walmart Foundation, must implement a comprehensive nutrition program involving awareness sessions, parental involvement, community events, and nutritional monitoring. Initiatives may include promoting healthy food choices and collaborating with health organizations for dietary guidance. These efforts can lead to noticeable improvements in students' health and greater family engagement in healthy eating habits.
Explore Nature
Learning extends far beyond the confines of traditional classrooms, offering abundant opportunities for hands-on education. Initiatives like Forest Schools and Nature-Friendly Schools have gained traction, yet outdoor learning remains underutilized despite growing acknowledgment of its benefits.
Bringing a sense of energy and enthusiasm can invigorate various activities, spanning all subjects, by simply shifting them outdoors. This could entail incorporating outdoor elements into a math lesson, like map-making for coordinate practice, utilizing physical movement to understand angles and shapes, or fostering creativity through outdoor art projects like crafting autumn leaf arrangements. Similarly, encouraging reading for enjoyment can involve setting up outdoor reading spaces with engaging books for students to delve into and discuss.
Cyberspace hosts abundant resources for sparking ideas and motivation, including platforms like Learning Through Landscapes, providing complimentary outdoor lesson plans adhering to the curriculum. Besides the positive impact on mood and stress relief, spending time outdoors fosters concentration, increases vitality, and stimulates creativity. It also grants children, especially those challenged by the structured environment of classrooms, the liberty to express themselves more freely, potentially revealing their strengths.
Mindfulness Practices
In schools worldwide, children are dedicating 10 minutes during their hectic days to practice mindfulness, focusing on sensations like their feet on the ground or their breath. Mindfulness, simplistically, sharpens attention to the present moment, reducing anxiety about the past or future. While evidence on its impact is limited, the Department for Education is funding research into student well-being strategies, including mindfulness.
Despite this, schools are increasingly embracing it to support mental health, aided by organizations like the Mindfulness in Schools Project. Some integrate mindfulness into daily routines or provide mental health resources during breaks. Teachers, too, benefit from mindfulness training, enhancing their wellbeing and effectiveness.
Physical Activity
Exercise isn't just about health; it combats anxiety, boosts mood, and enhances self-esteem and cognitive function. Encouraging an active lifestyle comes in various forms beyond PE classes, like sports clubs, playtimes, and engaging activities. Kids can benefit from fun experiences like healthy cooking challenges, "daily mile" activities, or walking/cycling to school. These habits stick with children into adulthood, underscoring the importance of starting early. So, get your kids moving as soon as possible for lifelong benefits.
Health Monitoring
Given the paramount importance of student welfare in schools, it's imperative to establish efficient protocols for its oversight and administration, especially considering resource constraints; thus, automating relevant processes becomes imperative.
Many educational institutions are exploring digital solutions that seamlessly sync with their administrative systems to address, track, and oversee student issues in real-time. These platforms comply with global safeguarding standards, offering tailored support to educators and pastoral staff for proactive student care.
Schools can utilize this software to track safeguarding issues for individual or multiple students, establish recommended actions, keep tabs on their progress, and alert relevant staff and parents or guardians efficiently, all within one platform.