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The world has speeded up, the pressures are greater and the rules of growing up have changed. It won’t have escaped your notice that stress, anxiety and other forms of mental ill health are on the rise. Worse still, the symptoms are

starting earlier.

The solution is to equip children with the skills and knowledge so they can begin to take charge of their own wellbeing.

Therefore we’ve developed a set of videos and activities that introduce themes of happiness, wellbeing, flourishing, resilience, positivity and personal responsibility to children aged 8 to 11. Although these videos target this particular age range, it is per-fectly possible to show them to older children too. Our view is that the earlier children can get the messages and strate-

gies instilled, the better their ability to cope with the world as it is.

The videos themselves contain a total of 75 minutes of learning. However, the activities and ‘homework’ mean that the learning can be extended to fit a much longer time frame. Each video comes with a set of facilitator notes complete with

discussion prompts, follow-up tasks and extension activities.

Our ethos is that wellbeing is too important to be left to chance. Feeling good is a basic human right and it’s everyone’s responsibility to know how.

Thus, the primary series can be combined with our secondary, teachers and parenting videos to generate a common language and a set of principles that embeds positivity into the school culture. The ripple effect will extend far beyond the

school gates.

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Andy describes himself as a qualified teacher, author, wellbeing expert and learning junkie. He has spent 15 years studying the science

of positive psychology, culminating in a Loughborough university PhD. As a result, Andy is the UK’s first (and only) Dr of Happiness.

Andy has worked with schools across the world. His mission - to embed happiness, positivity, wellbeing and flourishing into the curriculum. Andy delivers at headteacher conferences and training days and is well-

versed in the joys and challenges of teaching.

As far as 8 to 11s are concerned, it’s worth telling them that Andy is a best-selling children’s author. His ‘Spy Dog’ and ‘Spy Cat’ series has sold a million copies all over the world. He’s also written other books for children including ‘Diary of a Brilliant Kid’ and ‘The Teenager’s Guide to Life, the Universe and Awesomeness’. Andy’s been on the TV a lot. He has two grown up children, a dog, cat and 2 pet pigs called Hargreaves and

Rooney.

Andy’s books, happy teeshirts and posters are showcased here http://www.artofbrilliance.co.uk/shop/featured

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• How to have a brilliant life (15 mins 48 secs)A gentle introduction to life, human potential and comfort zones

• Small changes that have a biiiiiig impact (20 mins 30 secs)Andy introduces the themes from his PhD (minus the big words)

delving into attitudinal choice and the 4-minute rule

• Life is a bit fat sausage (18mins 7 secs)How thinking styles might be holding us back. Andy also looks at ‘personal responsibility’ via the concept of the sausage machine

• Bouncebackability (15 mins 16 secs)After a quick tour through ‘over thinking’ Andy introduces

6 strategies that children can use when the going gets tough (which it will!)

Andy is at pains to point out that he knows you are an excellent teacher who cares passionately about the children’s happiness and general wellbeing. You know the characters in your class. Andy doesn’t.

Hence it makes no sense for him to provide a prescriptive blow-by-blow instruction manual for how to use the videos.

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He’s tempted to suggest you just click ‘play’ and let the lessons unfold. However, it would be super helpful for the teacher to watch each video before the session to familiarise themselves with the content. That means you know what’s coming and are thus able to get the most out of the materials as well as being

able to manage any questions that may arise.

Most of the videos have an activity built in. It is advised that the teacher creates time and space for the children to reflect on the questions that appear on screen. Some of the videos also include a take-away task which Andy gleefully describes as ‘homework’. The aim is not to add to children’s workloads so the ‘homework’ is of a practical and/or inspirational nature. Indeed, the entire series is about doing rather than writing. Note: the very best way to engage children with the homework is for the teacher to do it

too!

The teacher will get the best out of these programmes if the homework activities are mentioned and reflected on in informal conversations during the week. For positive habits to become embedded, they

need reinforcing and repeating. But then you already know that!

Each video also has some extension ideas or pointers towards other resources. The aim is to generate deeper learning that stretches the children’s understanding. Andy recognises that ‘happiness’ and

‘wellbeing’ are subjective in nature. As such, there are no right or wrong answers. A healthy discussion will often point children towards a solution that’s right for them.

It’s also important to recognise that mental ill-health in on the rise. Andy is at pains to point out that these videos (and associated activities) have been given a deliberate light touch. He has steered the learning

towards small changes that, when applied, make a big difference to feelings of energy and positivity.

The best way for you to get the most out of these videos is to be enthusiastic about their content. If you care, the children will follow. Be creative in the discussions you have. Don’t play the first video

and forget about the learning until next time. Stay on-message. Get the children involved in thinking and discussing the themes.

Andy’s got total confidence in your ability to bring the messages to life.

Thank you.Andy and the team x