Mood Bear - Silly Bear

Silly Bear can be an invaluable tool in teaching children about mental health and well-being. Through engaging stories, interactive activities, and relatable scenarios, Silly Bear can support children in developing these crucial skills in a fun and approachable way.

Silly Bear can present children with various challenges that require creative thinking and decision-making. For example, Silly Bear might face a dilemma, such as figuring out how to share toys fairly among friends or finding a lost item. By guiding children through the steps of identifying the problem, brainstorming solutions, and evaluating the outcomes, Silly Bear can help them develop critical thinking skills in a playful context. Additionally, Silly Bear can model asking for help and using resources, demonstrating that collaboration and seeking advice are valuable tools in problem-solving.

Silly Bear can share stories of overcoming obstacles and not giving up, even when things get tough. Whether it's learning a new skill, like riding a bike, or working on a challenging puzzle, Silly Bear's adventures can illustrate the importance of persistence and resilience. By showing that setbacks are a natural part of the learning process and encouraging children to keep trying despite difficulties, Silly Bear can instill a growth mindset and inspire children to stay determined in the face of challenges.

Silly Bear can introduce techniques and strategies to manage emotions and behaviors effectively. Through interactive games and activities, Silly Bear can teach children about recognising their feelings, taking deep breaths, and finding calming activities when they feel overwhelmed. Silly Bear can also demonstrate the importance of routines and mindfulness practices, helping children understand how to create a balanced and healthy lifestyle. By normalising discussions around emotions and self-control, Silly Bear can empower children to develop greater emotional awareness and regulation skills.

Silly Bear can also encourage children to express their thoughts, feelings, and creativity freely. Through art, music, storytelling, and role-playing, Silly Bear can provide a safe space for children to explore and communicate their inner world. By validating and celebrating each child's unique voice and perspective, Silly Bear can help children build confidence in their ability to express themselves authentically.

Lastly, Silly Bear can play a pivotal role in enhancing children's communication skills. By modeling effective communication techniques, such as active listening, using "I" statements, and expressing empathy, Silly Bear can teach children how to engage in meaningful and respectful conversations. Through interactive dialogues and group activities, Silly Bear can promote the importance of clear and compassionate communication, helping children build stronger relationships and resolve conflicts amicably.

Overall, Silly Bear's playful and approachable nature makes it an excellent ambassador for teaching children about mental health and well-being. Silly Bear can equip children with the essential skills they need to thrive emotionally and socially.

Example lesson plan:

Subject: PSHE    Duration: 60 minutes     Objective: Students will understand and articulate their emotions, practice relaxation techniques, and develop conflict resolution skills using Mood Bears.
Materials Needed: Mood Bears (8 different bears representing different emotions)
Circle time mat
Calm music for relaxation
Conflict resolution cards/questions
Whiteboard and markers

Lesson Outline:
1. Introduction and Circle Time (15 minutes)
Objective: Facilitate a discussion about emotions using Mood Bears.Greeting and Warm-Up: Welcome students and have them sit in a circle. Briefly introduce the Mood Bears and explain how each bear represents a different emotion (e.g., Happy Bear, Sad Bear, Angry Bear, etc.).
Discussion: Pass around each bear and ask students to share a time when they felt the emotion represented by the bear. Encourage them to use phrases like “I felt
____ when ____.”
Engagement: Highlight the importance of recognising and talking about emotions.

2. Guided Relaxation Exercise (15 minutes)
Objective: Help children unwind and destress using the Mood Bears.
Preparation: Dim the lights and play calming music. Have each student pick a Mood Bear they feel connected to at the moment.
Relaxation Technique: Lead the students through a guided relaxation exercise. Instruct them to cuddle their Mood Bear, close their eyes, and take deep breaths. Guide them through relaxing each body part from head to toe.
Reflection: After the exercise, ask students how they feel and if the Mood Bear helped them relax. Discuss the importance of taking time to relax and de-stress.

3. Conflict Resolution Activity (20 minutes)

Objective: Teach children to communicate their feelings and find peaceful solutions to conflicts using Mood Bears.

Scenario Introduction: Present a simple conflict scenario relevant to their age group(e.g., “Two students want to play with thesame toy.”). Role-Playing: In pairs, have students use the Mood Bears to express their feelings about the conflict. For example, one student holds the Angry Bear to show they are upset, while the other holds the Nervous Bear.

Guidance: Facilitate the role-play,encouraging students to listen to each other and find a compromise or solution. Provide conflict resolution cards/questions to guide their discussion if needed.

4. Conclusion and Reflection (10 minutes)

Objective: Reinforce the day's learning and encourage ongoing use of Mood Bears.

Discussion: Ask students to share one thing they learned about emotions, relaxation, or conflict resolution.

Feedback: Allow students to give feedback on the activities and how they felt using the Mood Bears.

Encouragement: Encourage students to use the Mood Bears throughoutthe school day whenever they need support with their emotions.

Homework/Extension Activity: Ask students to draw a picture of their favorite Mood Bear and write a short story about a time when the bear helped them with their emotions.

Assessment: Observe student participation and engagement during activities. Review student reflections and stories to assess their understanding and application of emotional intelligence concepts.