Play It Out – Exploring Emotions Through Role-Play

Helping children use imagination, role-play and storytelling to express and understand their emotions.

In this imaginative episode of Mindful Moments with Miss Harrison, children explore how playing out emotions through acting and role-play can help them understand feelings in a safe, creative way. Whether pretending to be a superhero, chef, explorer or magical creature, play allows children to experience and explore a wide range of emotions—from pride and frustration to courage and kindness.

Through the story of Toby, who turns a disappointing race into a brave adventure through pretend play, children learn that it’s not always about winning—it’s about trying your best, helping others, and learning through experience.

What children will learn in this episode:

• How role-play can help express emotions safely and creatively
• Why imaginative play supports emotional awareness
• How to create characters and adventures based on real feelings
• Strategies for using pretend play to process tricky situations

Emotional Learning Tips from Miss Harrison:

• Pick a feeling: Choose an emotion you’ve felt recently—proud, nervous, frustrated, excited.
• Create a character: Pretend to be someone who can explore that feeling—a superhero, scientist, explorer, or magical creature.
• Act it out: Use toys, costumes, drawings or your imagination to create a story where your character learns something helpful about that emotion.

Play is a powerful emotional tool. It helps children explore real situations through the lens of creativity, building emotional confidence and problem-solving skills.

Mindful Moment Challenge:

This week, act out a short story based on how you felt today. It could be a tale of bravery, kindness, patience or pride. Use your imagination to discover new ways of understanding and managing your feelings.

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In this episode of Mindful Moments with Miss Harrison, children discover how storytelling can be a powerful way to explore their emotions. Through imagination and creativity, children learn to express their feelings safely—by turning them into characters, adventures, and positive journeys.

Using the story of Jay, a nervous boy who creates a tale about “Captain Jay the Brave Explorer,” children see how storytelling can turn tricky emotions into exciting discoveries. Whether through writing, drawing, acting, or speaking, stories help children understand themselves and build emotional strength.

What children will learn in this episode:

• How stories can be used to express and explore feelings
• The emotional power of turning yourself into a character
• Why storytelling builds self-confidence and resilience
• How to create a story based on a feeling like worry, excitement, or bravery

Creativity and Emotional Literacy from Miss Harrison:

• Pick a feeling – Start with an emotion like nervousness, happiness, or anger
• Create a character – It could be a knight, astronaut, dragon, or someone like you
• Build an adventure – What challenge does the character face? How do they grow?
• Share your story – Write it, say it aloud, act it out, or draw it

These story tools allow children to process emotions and imagine new possibilities with confidence and courage.

Mindful Moment Challenge:

This week, create a story about a feeling you’ve had. You can write it down, draw it, perform it, or share it with someone you trust. Notice how the story helps you understand what you felt—and how you grew through it.

Perfect for:

• Primary school-aged children exploring creativity and emotions
• Teachers delivering PSHE, English, or SEL lessons
• Parents and carers supporting children through emotional ups and downs
• Mental health and wellbeing leads promoting expressive arts and storytelling

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#MindfulMoments #EmotionalLiteracy #StorytellingForChildren #CreativeWellbeing #PSHE #MindfulnessInSchools #WellbeingThroughCreativity #SELForChildren #ChildrenMentalHealth #ExploringFeelingsThroughStory

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Helping children explore how music can support emotional expression, mood regulation, and self-awareness.

In this episode of Mindful Moments with Miss Harrison, children discover the power of music as a creative tool for understanding and sharing emotions. Whether it's clapping, tapping, humming, or listening to a favourite song, music helps us tune in to what we’re feeling—and sometimes say what words can’t.

Through the heartwarming story of Aria, who learns to turn a tough day into a personal song, children see how musical expression can bring clarity, comfort, and joy.

What children will learn in this episode:

• How music connects to different emotions
• Ways to use music to explore and express feelings
• How to create rhythms and tunes to match their mood
• Why musical expression supports emotional wellbeing

Creative Strategies from Miss Harrison:

• Listen to match your mood: Choose songs that reflect how you feel—or that help you feel better.
• Create your own music: Use your voice, hands, feet, or everyday objects to make rhythms and melodies.
• Move with the music: Let your body respond—dance, sway, tap, or just breathe along with the beat.

These practices help children build self-awareness and express their emotions in safe, imaginative ways.

Mindful Moment Challenge:

This week, pick one piece of music each day that matches how you're feeling—or create your own rhythm or tune. Notice how it affects your mood and helps you connect with your emotions.

Perfect for:

• Primary school-aged children exploring emotional expression through the arts
• Classrooms teaching PSHE, SEL or wellbeing through creative outlets
• Families encouraging emotional conversations at home
• Music therapists and educators promoting emotional literacy

Quote of the Week:

“Your heart has its own song—and it’s always okay to let it out.”

#MindfulMoments #MusicAndEmotions #EmotionalExpressionForChildren #MindfulnessInSchools #CreativityAndWellbeing #SELThroughMusic #MentalHealthForChildren #PrimaryWellbeing #MindfulMusicActivities #EmotionalLiteracy

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Helping children explore and express emotions creatively using colour, shape, and imagination

In this first episode of Series 8: Exploring Emotions Through Creativity, Miss Harrison introduces children to the powerful connection between creativity and emotional awareness. Sometimes feelings can be hard to put into words, but drawing offers a way to express emotions freely and safely. Using colours, shapes, and patterns, children can explore and communicate what they feel inside—even the feelings they don’t yet fully understand.

Through Lucas’s story, reflective prompts, and creative drawing activities, children discover that there is no right or wrong way to express feelings visually. This approach nurtures self-awareness, emotional regulation, and confidence in expressing complex emotions.

This lesson supports children in expanding their emotional vocabulary beyond words, promoting creativity as a vital tool for emotional wellbeing.

What Children Will Learn in This Episode:

• How drawing can help express emotions when words are hard to find
• Ways to match colours with different feelings
• How to use shapes, lines, and textures to explore and communicate emotions
• That emotional expression through art is unique, safe, and personal

Creative Skills from Miss Harrison:

• Choose your colours: Think about how your feelings might look as colours—yellow for happiness, blue for sadness, red for anger, green for calm.
• Use expressive lines and shapes: Big swirls, tiny dots, zigzags or gentle waves—each one can carry emotional meaning.
• Trust your instincts: Your artwork doesn’t have to look like anything in the real world. The goal is to express, not impress.

Mindful Moment Challenge:

This week, draw one picture each day to show how you’re feeling. It might be neat or messy, colourful or dark—whatever feels right to you. At the end of the week, look back and notice how your feelings have changed or stayed the same.

Perfect For:

• Primary school-aged children learning to manage emotions
• Classrooms exploring PSHE, SEL or art-linked wellbeing
• Families supporting emotional literacy at home
• Mental health leads and pastoral teams using art for emotional support

Quote of the Week:

“Your feelings are important—and so is your creativity.”

#MindfulMoments #DrawingEmotions #MindfulnessForChildren #CreativeEmotionalLearning #EmotionalExpression #ArtForWellbeing #SocialEmotionalLearning #PrimaryPSHE #MentalHealthForChildren #ArtTherapyForKids #MindfulParenting #EmotionalLiteracy #ChildWellbeingThroughArt

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In this beautifully crafted six-part series, Miss Harrison supports primary-aged children as they learn how to build, maintain and celebrate meaningful friendships. Each episode offers storytelling, reflective practice, and actionable challenges to support children’s social and emotional development at school and at home.

Episode 1: What Makes a Good Friend?

Theme: Understanding the qualities of a good friend

In this episode, children discover the building blocks of healthy friendships—kindness, fairness, honesty, and support. Through the story of Ava and Mia, we see how being a good friend means showing up, listening, and being kind.

Episode 2: Listening Like a Friend

Theme: Building friendships through active listening

Children learn how listening helps us connect, show respect, and understand others better. Jacob and Leila’s story highlights the difference between half-listening and full, mindful attention.

Episode 3: Sharing and Taking Turns

Theme: Fairness, patience, and compromise in friendships

Through the story of Daniel and his game cards, children learn that taking turns isn’t always easy—but it keeps play fair and fun. Sharing strengthens friendships and builds emotional intelligence.

Episode 4: Handling Friendship Arguments

Theme: Resolving conflicts calmly and respectfully

Even good friends have disagreements. This episode teaches children how to manage conflict by staying calm, listening, and finding fair solutions—just like Hannah and Tom when their fort-building plans went wrong.

Episode 5: Making New Friends

Theme: Confidence and kindness when meeting new people

Making new friends can feel exciting—and a bit scary! Through the story of Safiya, children learn how small acts of kindness and bravery can create new connections and grow their friendship circle.

SEO Keywords: how to make new friends at school, friendship confidence, social skills for children
Hashtags: #MakeNewFriends #FriendshipConfidence #SocialSkills #WellbeingInSchools

Episode 6: Celebrating Friendship

Theme: Gratitude, joy, and connection

In this final episode, children reflect on the joy that friendships bring. Ella, Liam and Zara plan a friendship picnic to show each other how much they care. Children are encouraged to celebrate their own friendships with kindness and gratitude.

What Children Will Learn in Series 7:

• What makes a good friend and how to become one
• How to listen and communicate kindly
• Fairness, patience, and the power of taking turns
• Managing disagreements with calmness and care
• Confidence to meet new people
• Joy and gratitude for the friendships they have

Perfect For:

• Primary school-aged children (5–11 years old)
• Parents and carers promoting social-emotional wellbeing at home
• Teachers delivering PSHE, Circle Time or SEL lessons
• Wellbeing leads and pastoral teams in primary education

#MindfulMoments #NavigatingFriendship #PSHE #ChildrensWellbeing #FriendshipSkills #EmotionalDevelopment #PrimaryEducation #SocialSkillsForChildren #KindnessInClassrooms #CircleTime #EmotionalLiteracy #MindfulnessForChildren

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In this uplifting episode of Mindful Moments with Miss Harrison, children reflect on the joy and importance of friendship. After learning how to be a good friend, listen, share, handle arguments, and make new connections, this episode is all about celebrating the friendships we already have.

Through the story of Ella, Liam, and Zara, children discover how small, thoughtful actions—like sharing kind words, giving a handmade gift, or planning a friendship picnic—can show appreciation and strengthen bonds.

This episode encourages children to pause, reflect, and express gratitude for the friends who bring laughter, comfort, and care into their lives.

What children will learn in this episode:

• Why celebrating friendship helps relationships grow stronger
• Simple and meaningful ways to show appreciation to friends
• How kindness and gratitude build connection and trust
• That friendship isn’t just about play—it’s about care, support, and joy

Friendship Skills from Miss Harrison:

• Say thank you: A few kind words can go a long way in making someone feel valued
• Create happy moments: Playing a game, telling stories, or sharing laughs builds deeper connection
• Give from the heart: Small gestures like a drawing, a bracelet, or a kind note show care and appreciation

Mindful Moment Challenge:

Choose one friend this week to celebrate. Tell them what you appreciate about them or do something kind just for them—like writing a note, making a small gift, or simply saying, “Thank you for being my friend.”

Notice how celebrating someone else makes you feel, too.

Perfect for:

• Primary school-aged children exploring social and emotional development
• Teachers and support staff delivering PSHE or SEL lessons about friendship and wellbeing
• Parents and carers nurturing kindness and gratitude at home
• School counsellors and pastoral teams supporting emotional literacy and peer connection

#MindfulMoments #CelebratingFriendship #GratitudeForFriends #SocialEmotionalLearning #FriendshipSkills #EmotionalLiteracyForChildren #MindfulnessForChildren #PrimaryWellbeing #PSHEInSchools #KindnessInClassrooms #HealthyFriendships #BuildingConnections #ChildrensMentalHealth

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In this episode of Mindful Moments with Miss Harrison, children explore how to take small, brave steps towards making new friends. Making new connections can feel exciting—but also a little bit nerve-wracking. With simple strategies and supportive stories, children build the confidence they need to start new friendships with kindness and courage.

Through the story of Bella, who moves to a new town and finds the courage to say hello at lunchtime, children learn that even the smallest actions—like smiling, making eye contact, or asking a question—can open the door to new and meaningful friendships.

What children will learn in this episode:

• Why making new friends helps us feel included and supported
• How to overcome nervousness when meeting someone new
• Simple conversation starters for playgrounds, classrooms, and clubs
• The power of kindness, curiosity, and a brave “hello”

Friendship Skills from Miss Harrison:

• Smile and make eye contact – It shows you’re open and friendly.
• Say hello – Simple greetings build bridges.
• Ask a question – Find something in common to talk about.
• Be brave – It’s normal to feel shy. Starting a friendship is a courageous act.

These actions help children feel more connected, included, and confident in new situations.

Mindful Moment Challenge:

This week, try saying hello to someone new—at school, at a club, or in your neighbourhood. Notice how it feels to reach out. A simple smile or question could be the start of a brand-new friendship.

Perfect for:

• Primary school-aged children developing social confidence
• Classrooms exploring PSHE, SEL, or transitions to new environments
• Families supporting children in new settings or friendships
• Teachers and pastoral leads encouraging inclusive play and friendship building

Quote of the Week:
“Every friendship begins with a simple, kind step.”

#MindfulMoments #MakingFriends #FriendshipSkills #ConfidenceForChildren #SocialEmotionalLearning #MindfulnessForChildren #ChildrensMentalHealth #KindnessMatters #BuildingFriendships #EmotionalWellbeingForChildren #PSHE #SchoolTransitions

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In this episode of Mindful Moments with Miss Harrison, children explore the importance of sharing and taking turns—two simple but powerful habits that help friendships grow stronger. When children share fairly and take turns kindly, they create trust, fairness, and joy in their relationships.

Through a relatable story about two friends, Sam and Ava, children learn how to notice when others are feeling left out, how to offer turns with kindness, and how small actions like saying, “Would you like a turn?” can make a big difference.

What children will learn in this episode:

• Why sharing and taking turns help everyone feel valued
• How to use kind words to invite others to join in
• Simple strategies for fairness in play and group situations
• How to recognise when someone might feel left out

Friendship Skills from Miss Harrison:

1. Notice and include – If someone is waiting or watching, pause and invite them to join.
2. Be fair and take turns – Make sure everyone has equal time or opportunity.
3. Use kind language – Words like “Let’s share,” or “Would you like a go?” make others feel welcome.

These small actions build trust and connection and show that we care about our friends’ feelings.

Mindful Moment Challenge:

This week, try to find one moment each day where you can share or take turns—whether it’s with a toy, a game, a seat at the table, or even a conversation. Notice how it makes both you and the other person feel.

Perfect for:

• Primary school-aged children learning social-emotional skills
• Classrooms exploring PSHE, SEL or friendship-focused themes
• Families building stronger sibling and peer relationships at home
• Educators teaching fairness, empathy and inclusion

#MindfulMoments #FriendshipSkillsForChildren #ConflictResolution #MindfulnessForChildren #PSHELessons #SocialEmotionalLearning #HowToHandleArguments #ListeningSkills #ChildrensWellbeing #EmotionalResilienceForChildren #CalmConversations #HealthyFriendships #KindnessMatters

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