A host of famous faces have teamed up with BBC Education and BBC Children in Need to deliver a new suite of fun educational resources providing primary school-aged children with the tools, language and support to manage their feelings and learn emotional and social skills.
From today, new bbc.co.uk/moodboosters website will provide teachers and parents with interactive activities that can be used throughout the school day or through learning at home for children ages 5-11. Those lending their support from across the BBC and beyond include Gethin Jones, Amy Dowden, Oti Mabuse, Joe Wicks MBE, Ade Adepitan MBE, Dr Ranj Singh and George Webster.
Primary schools invited to join a special launch live stream on BBC Children in Need’s Appeal Day with host Gethin Jones and special guest Joe Wicks MBE.
The new Moodboosters website will provide primary school teachers, parents and children with short, simple and fun videos, featuring some famous faces, to support the PSHE curriculum for 5-11 year-olds.
BBC Education will also make available in the coming weeks a range of activities and videos designed specifically for use at home to get children and grown-ups moving together in their living rooms. These resources will be available on the Moodboosters website.
According to NHS data*, the mental health of children and young people in England has worsened since 2017 as a result of the pandemic – the NHS Digital data showed that in 2020, one in six (16.0%) children aged 5 to 16 years were identified as having a probable mental disorder, increasing from one in nine (10.8%) in 2017. The increase was evident in both boys and girls.
In response to this, the Moodboosters activities have been devised with the help of children’s mental health charity stormbreak and subject specialists to make physical movement fun, enjoyable and give a sense of wellbeing. Evidence supports that movement can be used for teaching emotional literacy skills, enabling and empowering children to effectively recognise and manage their feelings.
Dr Ranj Singh said, “It’s been difficult for children and young people over the last couple of years and sadly a significant number are struggling with their mental health. I see this every day as a paediatrician on the front line and that’s why initiatives like Moodboosters are essential because they help address some of those issues. Not only are they fun, they give children practical tools that they can use by themselves, with their teachers, friends or families to help them better cope with the world around them.”
BBC Children in Need Day Live Stream
On Friday 18 November, to celebrate the Moodboosters launch on BBC Children in Need Appeal Day, children from around the UK are invited to a big mood-boosting activity at 12 noon. Led by broadcaster Gethin Jones, and with The Body Coach Joe Wicks joining as a special guest, the event will be live streamed into classrooms so school pupils can boost their moods whilst doing something incredible for BBC Children in Need.
The curriculum linked videos and resources are available on the Moodboosters website, bbc.co.uk/moodboosters from today.
The live Moodboosters stream is accessible via bbcchildreninneed.co.uk/schools at 12pm on Friday 18November.