Nurturing Wellbeing in Children and Young People
A Practical Guide for Teaching and Support Staff in the Classroom
In the dynamic world of education, we understand that our role goes beyond imparting knowledge. We are not just teachers; we are mentors, guides and guardians of the wellbeing of the young minds entrusted to our care. Every day, we have the opportunity to not only educate but also support the mental health, emotional resilience, self-esteem, and self-confidence of the children and young people in our classrooms.
Here are some essential strategies that all adults working in education can employ to ensure the wellbeing of our learners:
1. Praise Effort Over Outcomes
Praising effort is a fundamental building block of self-esteem. It teaches children that tackling a challenge is just as important as succeeding. By acknowledging their hard work, we help them see themselves as resilient and tenacious individuals. This approach promotes a growth mindset, where the focus is on learning and growth, rather than simply achieving a set goal.
2. Create a Safe and Supportive Environment
To nurture wellbeing, we must ensure that our classrooms are safe spaces where children and young people feel respected and heard. Every child’s concerns, no matter how small they may seem to adults, should be acknowledged and validated. It also helps to ensure the learning space has comfortable seating, designated areas for group work, and space for individual reflection, and where possible, try to display student work and positive messages to make the space feel personalised.
3. Encourage Taking Risks
Encourage your learners to step out of their comfort zones, try new things, and challenge themselves. While ensuring their physical safety, provide opportunities for them to take risks in their learning, such as answering questions or attempting tasks that may be slightly daunting. These experiences build self-confidence and resilience which will help to boost their mental wellbeing.
4. Be Positive Role Models
As educators, we have the privilege of being positive role models for our students. We can lead by example, showing them that it’s okay to face challenges, try new things, and persevere even when things get tough. Our positive attitudes, behaviours, and language can inspire them to develop and maintain healthy self-esteem and confidence. Demonstrating a strong work ethic sets a powerful example for students, inspiring them to embrace diligence and perseverance in their own learning and wellbeing journey.
5. Recognising Signs of Mental Health Concerns
Recognising mental health concerns in children is paramount for their overall wellbeing and education. These concerns can manifest in various ways, including changes in behaviour, mood, academic performance, or social interactions. Teachers and support staff play a vital role in identifying these signs by maintaining open lines of communication, observing patterns of behaviour and listening to children’s concerns. Early recognition allows for timely intervention, promoting emotional health and preventing issues from escalating. 
6. Create an Open Environment for Expression
It’s important that we encourage children to express their feelings from a young age. Ensure they are taught about different emotions and help them understand the ways to manage these emotions constructively, as well as providing them with the resources and support they need to prevent mental health concerns from escalating.
In conclusion, by promoting emotional resilience and wellbeing, children and young people can develop the skills to manage challenges, build healthy relationships, and understand their emotional responses. These skills not only improve academic performance and school engagement but also lead to positive long-term outcomes.
Remember, while we support the wellbeing of our learners, we must also prioritise our own wellbeing. The education environment can be demanding, and taking care of ourselves allows us to be the best versions of ourselves for our students.
justteachers has also produced a complementary series of podcasts exclusively for our registered candidates-‘Nurturing Wellbeing’ is covered in episode 2 of our free CPD. Within this, we have called upon the expertise of an Executive Headteacher, SEMH Specialist and justteachers client, to guide us through best practice in the aforementioned principles.
If you wish to have access to our CPD suite & are interested in hearing about supply opportunities with justteachers, start the registration process with us today. The CPD is available to all registered support staff, ECTs or seasoned qualified teachers.
