Children’s Book Week
Suffolk Mind teaches pupils importance of movement during Children’s Book Week
Nursery and reception pupils in Suffolk have been discovering the importance of movement for their mental health during Children’s Book Week.
Suffolk Mind delivered its popular Sammy the Sea Squirt Movement Session to pupils at Wickham Market Community Primary School.
The sessions, based on Suffolk Mind’s own children’s book, help youngsters understand the link between movement and mental health, and how staying active can support wellbeing.
Louise Harris, Children and Young People’s Trainer, said: “Movement does wonders for us, it’s one of our 12 physical and emotional needs.
“Teaching young people about mental health and how we can support it, in an age-appropriate way, can provide real benefits later in life.
“It was great to see the pupils really embrace the session.”
Sammy the Sea Squirt is Suffolk Mind’s first story book, following the character Sammy who learns how moving can help with memory and emotions. The book received the Great Idea Award at East Suffolk Awards 2023.
The session involves an introduction on mental health and the benefits of movement, followed by a reading of the book and a movement session based on the characters.
Joanne Harris, Assistant Headteacher, said: “At Wickham Market Community Primary School, we believe it is very important to support children in understanding the different ways they can support their own mental health, so we were very keen to welcome Suffolk Mind to come and work with our youngest minds in Nursery and Reception class.
“They enjoyed a brilliant session focussing on the link between movement and positive mental health. The children and adults gained a huge amount from the session and have been putting some of the techniques into practice already.”
To find out more about Suffolk Mind, or to book a Sammy the Sea Squirt Movement Session, visit www.suffolkmind.org.uk.