Tag Archive for: child development

Children’s Mental Health Week 2026

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Children’s Mental Health Week takes place this year from 9–15 February 2026, and it provides a valuable opportunity for schools across the UK to shine a light on the emotional wellbeing of their pupils. Organised annually by the children’s mental health charity Place2Be, the week aims to raise awareness and open up conversations around mental health among young people. [childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk]

 

This Year’s Theme: “This Is My Place”

The official theme for 2026, “This Is My Place”, focuses on the importance of belonging—helping children and young people feel valued, connected, and supported within their school community. Place2Be emphasises that a sense of belonging plays a vital role in children’s mental health, influencing their confidence, relationships, engagement and even academic outcomes. [childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk]

Belonging isn’t simply about fitting in: it’s about feeling safe enough to be yourself. Research in positive psychology highlights how connection, psychological safety, and supportive relationships, can act as protective factors for young people’s wellbeing, helping to buffer against stress and creating the conditions necessary for them to thrive. [worthit.org.uk]

 

Why Children’s Mental Health Week Matters in Schools

Schools sit at the heart of children’s lives, so the environments created in them truly matter. Children’s Mental Health Week encourages teachers and school leaders to consider how they can nurture inclusive, supportive spaces—both socially and emotionally. From class-based activities to whole-school discussions, the week provides rich opportunities for pupils to explore their emotions, reflect on relationships, and understand how to support their own wellbeing and that of others.

 

Using the Mental Wellbeing Pages in Our Student Planners

As part of Children’s Mental Health Week, the Mental Wellbeing pages included in our student planners can be an incredibly helpful tool. These sections are designed to support pupils if they are suffering from anxiety or low mood, or are worried about their eating or self-harm, both giving tips on how to self-help and suggesting when it’s time to ask for more support.

Teachers can use these pages during tutor time, PSHE lessons, or as reflection prompts throughout the week. Encouraging students to engage with the content helps them build practical skills they can continue using long after Mental Health Week has ended.

A Week That Lasts All Year

Children’s Mental Health Week serves as a reminder that wellbeing isn’t a one‑off topic: it’s an ongoing commitment.

Here are some simple ways pupils’ mental health can be supported in their classrooms every day:

  • Belonging Boards: younger pupils can contribute drawings, photos, or words that represent what belonging means to them.
  • Quiet Zones: a calm space where students can take a moment to reset—research shows these wellbeing-friendly environments can support psychological safety. [worthit.org.uk]
  • Student Voice Sessions: short group discussions where pupils can share what helps them feel included and supported at school.
  • Kindness Challenges: small acts of kindness which are shown to boost mood and reduce stress, can be encouraged and praised. [schoolofkindness.org]

 

By using resources available and embedding tools like the Mental Wellbeing planner pages into regular practice, you’ll help create a school culture where every child feels safe enough to be themselves.

 

Secondary Planners

Primary Planners

 

Blue Monday and the Winter Blues: Supporting Wellbeing in Your School Community

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Every January, the term “Blue Monday” circulates widely—often referred to as the “most depressing day of the year.” While the science behind Blue Monday is widely disputed, what is real is that many students and staff feel the impact of shorter days, colder weather, and the long stretch between winter and spring. For school communities already working hard to maintain motivation and connection after the Christmas break, this period can bring an added layer of challenge.

Rather than viewing Blue Monday as a single date, it can be more helpful to think about the winter blues as a seasonal dip in energy, mood, or engagement. Secondary schools are busy and demanding environments, and feeling a little flat at this time of year is both natural and common. Recognising the signs early—and putting supportive practices in place—can make a significant difference to the mental wellbeing of your staff and students.

 

Why Winter Affects Mood

During the winter months, reduced exposure to daylight can disrupt sleep cycles and lower serotonin levels—both of which play an important role in regulating mood and maintaining focus. Students may find it harder to get up in the morning, stay motivated, or feel enthusiastic about learning. Staff may experience their own dips in energy, making the school day feel heavier than usual.

These changes don’t necessarily indicate a serious mental health concern, but they do highlight the importance of nurturing wellbeing through small, consistent actions.

 

Creating a Supportive Environment in School

Schools already do so much to promote connection, routine, and a sense of belonging—key protective factors against low mood. During winter, even small adjustments can make a noticeable impact:

  • Encourage movement: whether it’s brief times to simply stretch, outdoor time when possible, or active learning tasks, movement boosts energy and improves concentration.
  • Create opportunities for connection: group tasks, peer support circles, and regular one-to-one check-ins help students feel seen and supported.
  • Promote good habits: hydration, balanced eating, and regular sleep patterns can easily slip during winter. Gentle reminders can make a big difference.
  • Normalise conversations about mood and stress: when students understand that feeling low sometimes is normal and not something to hide, they’re more likely to seek support early.

 

Using Our Planners to Support Student Wellbeing

Our Mental Wellbeing pages, included as standard in our Academic and Pocket student planners, include Top Tips on how to manage low mood and other worries, not just on Blue Monday but whenever students feel they need support during the year.

These pages include common worries such as:

  • Feeling anxious
  • Low Mood
  • Eating
  • Self-harm

As well as tips on self-help, all the pages include links for further help and advice too.

 

Looking Ahead with Optimism

Although winter can feel long, it’s also a season of reset. By acknowledging the winter blues and nurturing wellbeing across your school community, you help students develop healthy habits they can carry into spring and the rest of the year.

 

 

Academic Planners

Academic 16+ Planners

Pocket Planners

Pocket Planners 16+

 

Why Now is the Perfect Time to Organise Your Leavers’ Yearbook

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Now it’s the beginning of a new year and the academic year is moving on, it’s time to start planning one of the most treasured keepsakes for students: the leavers’ yearbook. Whether you’re a head student or part of the school staff, organising a yearbook now ensures you have plenty of time to create something truly memorable.

 

Why Start Now?

Yearbooks take time to design, gather content for, and approve. Starting early means:

  • no last-minute stress: collecting photos, quotes and messages can be time-consuming. Beginning now gives everyone time to contribute.
  • better quality: early planning allows for thoughtful layouts, proofreading and professional printing.
  • inclusive contributions: students and staff can share their memories without feeling rushed, ensuring the yearbook reflects the whole school community.

 

What to Include in a Great Yearbook

A yearbook should capture the spirit of the year and celebrate achievements. Below are some suggested sections.

  • Class and Year Group Photos: these are the heart of any yearbook, giving everyone a place in history.
  • Personal Profiles: short bios or fun facts about each student make the book personal and engaging.
  • Messages from Staff and Head Students: inspirational words and farewell notes add warmth and meaning.
  • Highlights of the Year: include photos and write-ups of key events – sports days, school trips, performances and charity fundraisers.
  • Awards and Achievements: celebrate academic successes, sporting triumphs and unique talents.
  • Fun Extras: maybe include “Most Likely To…” awards, memorable quotes, and candid photos for a touch of humour.
  • Looking Ahead: a section for future aspirations or advice for the next year group can make the yearbook forward-looking and inspiring.

 

Make It Special

Consider adding interactive elements like QR codes linking to videos of school events or digital photo galleries to make the yearbook even more engaging.

 

Start planning today to ensure your leavers’ yearbook is a cherished keepsake for years to come. It’s more than just a book – it’s a celebration of friendships, achievements, and unforgettable moments

 

Yearbooks

Supporting Teen Mental Health During the Festive Season

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The Christmas period is often portrayed as a time of joy, family, and celebration. For many teenagers though, the festive season can bring unique challenges that impact their mental health. As teachers, understanding these pressures is key to supporting students during what can be an emotionally complex time.

 

Why Christmas Can Be Stressful for Teens

While younger children may see Christmas as magical, teenagers often experience heightened stress. Academic pressures, social expectations and family dynamics can all contribute to feelings of anxiety or low mood. For some, financial strain at home or complicated family relationships means the season is far from cheerful. Others may feel isolated if they don’t share the same traditions or if they are coping with loss.

Social media adds another layer of pressure. Teens are bombarded with images of ‘perfect’ celebrations, which can lead to comparison and feelings of inadequacy. This can intensify existing mental health challenges, such as anxiety or low self-esteem.

 

Common Mental Health Challenges at Christmas

  • Anxiety: the disruption of routine during the holidays can be unsettling. Teens who thrive on structure may feel anxious about changes in schedules, social gatherings, or expectations.
  • Low Mood: shorter days and less daylight can contribute to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), while loneliness or family tensions can deepen feelings of sadness.
  • Eating Concerns: festive meals and treats can trigger stress for those struggling with body image or eating disorders. Comments about food or appearance, even well-meaning ones, can be harmful.
  • Managing Mental Health: with school closed, access to regular support networks may be limited. Teens might feel unsure where to turn if they’re struggling.

How Teachers Can Help Before the Holidays

  1. Start Conversations Early: create space for open discussions about mental health in the classroom. Normalising these conversations helps students feel less alone.
  2. Signpost Resources: remind students about the mental well-being pages in their planners. These pages are designed to empower them with practical strategies they can use during the break.
  3. Encourage Routine: suggest that students maintain some structure during the holidays—whether through exercise, hobbies, or regular sleep patterns.
  4. Promote Kindness: encourage students to focus on meaningful connections rather than material expectations. Acts of kindness can boost mood and reduce stress.

 

A Positive Message for the Season

Christmas doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. By acknowledging the challenges and equipping teens with tools to manage their mental wellbeing, we can help them navigate the season with confidence and self-compassion.

As teachers, your role in supporting mental health is invaluable. A simple reminder to check their planner’s well-being pages or downloading an app before school breaks up, could make a big difference for a student who feels overwhelmed when they are alone.

As well as general information about managing mental health, the Mental Wellbeing pages included in Boomerang’s student planners cover worries about anxiety, low mood, eating, and self-harm. Each section gives warning signs to look out for, top tips which may help, and a web address for further advice.

 

Primary Planners

Academic Planners

Teacher Planners

 

The Importance of School Trips

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School trips are more than just a break from the classroom – they are powerful learning experiences that shape students academically, socially, and emotionally.

Beyond the Classroom: Why School Trips Matter
In an age where education is increasingly digital and test-driven, school trips offer a refreshing and essential balance. These excursions – whether to a local museum, a historical site, or even abroad – bring learning to life in ways that textbooks simply can’t match.

Deepening Academic Understanding
One of the most compelling benefits of school trips is their ability to enhance academic learning. When students experience a subject first-hand – like walking through a Roman ruin or observing marine life in a coastal tide pool – they gain a deeper, more memorable understanding of the material. Engaging with subjects in real-world settings can help students retain more information and apply it meaningfully.

Building Social and Emotional Skills
School trips also aid social development. Being outside the structured classroom environment encourages students to collaborate, communicate, and problem-solve in new ways. Whether it’s navigating a new city or working together on a group activity, students build confidence, independence, and resilience.
From the first moment of the trip hoodies being distributed before leaving, these experiences also help students form stronger bonds with peers and teachers, creating a more cohesive and supportive classroom environment when they return.

Expanding Cultural Awareness
Trips that expose students to different cultures, communities, or ways of life, promote empathy and global awareness. Visiting a cultural centre, attending a play, or exploring a new country can challenge assumptions and broaden perspectives – skills that are increasingly important in our interconnected world.

Encouraging Personal Growth
For many students, especially those on residential or international trips, these experiences are a first taste of independence. They learn to manage time, take responsibility for their belongings, and adapt to new environments. These challenges, though sometimes daunting, are important for personal development.

Making Learning Fun and Memorable
School trips are fun. And fun matters. When students associate learning with excitement and discovery, they are more likely to stay motivated and curious. These positive memories can spark lifelong interests and even influence career paths.

In short, school trips are not just an educational luxury – they can be seen as a necessity. They enrich the curriculum, nurture essential life skills, and create lasting memories that shape students far beyond the classroom walls.  Trip Books, full of photos, interesting facts and fun anecdotes, are a great way of keeping those memories and experiences alive in years to come too.

Art in Education: Is There Still a Place For It?

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The presence of art in education is a topic that’s been debated for as long as we can remember.

However in recent years, there’s certainly been a shift in focus towards more ’employable’ subjects in the education sector. We often push subjects such as maths and science to the forefront due to their undeniable importance for our future.

But where does this leave art?

Well when it comes to child development, we need to address all the core areas, meaning that the stimulation of creative thinking is still vital, particularly for:

Social & Emotional Development

  • Art in education can improve children’s communication skills and vocabulary.
  • It can increase their ability to form and maintain relationships with adults and other children.
  • Learning artistic techniques also helps children with the recognition and expression of feelings and emotion.

Cognitive Development

  • Creativity helps with problem solving and abstract thinking skills.
  • It can also improve the ability to approach new tasks and challenges with confidence.
  • Art helps with the processing of visual information.
  • It can heighten curiosity and interest, especially through experimentation.
  • Studying art helps with critical thinking skills. In particular, the making and execution of mental plans and pictures.
  • Innovation. Imagination is a necessity when it comes to thinking outside of the box.

Art in Boomerang School Planners

Each year here at Boomerang, we’re proud to say that we take design inspiration for our school planners from different artistic concepts. Our theme this year is Ancient and Traditional Art (see pg. 4 of the virtual planner).

We’re featuring 12 different ancient, traditional and tribal art styles from all over the world, from Aboriginal to Inca to Norse.

Children’s creativity is something to be valued.