Supporting health and wellbeing through MindUP
At Fielding, we are proud and privileged to be a MindUP school. Since 2015, we have been part of a growing network of MindUP schools across the UK and beyond.
MindUP is a unique evidence-based framework that teaches social and emotional learning skills, linking cognitive neuroscience, positive psychology and mindful awareness.
The 15 lesson curriculum and practical approaches are relevant and suitable for children from the ages of 3 to 11, helping them use the knowledge, understanding and skills they are taught to navigate the challenges of the 21st century with resilience, kindness and compassion.
MindUP is central to our strategic vision at Fielding. It is a fantastic way to promote the mental health and emotional wellbeing of our school community. The interactive teaching and learning approaches, complemented by whole school mindful practices, help create an exciting learning environment within which children can thrive academically, socially and emotionally. For more information on research findings go to:
The MindUP Curriculum
So what is the 15 lesson curriculum?
We start by teaching children about 3 key parts of the brain:
The Brain Break
These MindUP lessons are complemented by the ‘Brain Break’. This core practice takes place three times a day, enabling our pupils and staff to be calm, focused and ready to learn.
What is a Brain Break?
Pause, Listen, Breathe: a simple 2-3 minute mindful breathing technique that directs attention to the breath. Regular Brain Breaks help us to
- Think more clearly
- Act in a reflective manner
- Better regulate their emotions
- Reduce their stress
- Make better decisions
- Develop self-awareness
The more this is practiced, at school and at home, the more self-managed and mindful we can all become.
MindUP and Values Working Together
From as early as Nursery, children start to learn about the brain and how Brain Breaks can help them to calm down and focus. From Years 1 to 6, pupils are taught the 15 MindUP lessons across the year. Where appropriate, MindUP lessons are taught alongside a linked value to gain a deeper understanding of MindUP teaching. MindUP is also embedded into other curriculum subjects from ‘Perspective Taking’ in an English lesson to ‘Mindful Seeing’ in an art lesson. This deeper understanding helps pupils to use and apply the knowledge and understanding of MindUP strategies and concepts to everyday life both at school and beyond.
Being a MindUP school is helping us to create a culture of gratitude, optimism, happiness and respect within which we call all grow and flourish.