BBC Education initiative Moodboosters has launched a host of new video resources for families to watch and take part in at home, ahead of Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week from February 6-12.
BBC Moodboosters is a primary age mental health and wellbeing initiative which offers video activities for teachers and parents designed to boost children’s mood by giving them the tools and skills to thrive, feel good and help manage their emotions.
As part of the campaign, Strictly Come Dancing star and Moodboosters ambassador Amy Dowden will read a special CBeebies Bedtime Story on Sunday 5 February (BBC iPlayer, 6.50pm) to mark the occasion.
Reading a story suited to the Children’s Mental Health Week theme and the Moodboosters initiative, Dowden’s reading will explore how children can recognise, understand and navigate their own feelings.
The Strictly star said: “It was an absolute honour to read a CBeebies Bedtime Story, it was something that was on my bucket list! I’m also thrilled to be involved in a brilliant initiative like Moodboosters, as I was really impressed by the range of enjoyable resources it has to offer for children, both in the classroom and at home.”
Several studies have shown a significant decline in children’s mental health across the UK and increased demands on children’s mental health services, with the pandemic and cost of living crisis playing a part in this.
In partnership with BBC Children in Need, a suite of videos for use in the classroom was originally launched in November. There are now ten new videos specifically designed for families to enjoy together at home.
A range of famous faces including Strictly’s Oti Mabuse, Olympian Bethany Shriever, Paralympian Ade Adepitan, Dr Ranj Singh and BBC Childrens’ presenters Rhys Stephenson, Evie Pickerill and George Webster present the three-minute videos which can be accessed via the Moodbusters website.
Dr Ranj Singh said: “Initiatives like Moodboosters are essential. Not only are they fun, they give children practical tools that they can do by themselves, with their teachers, friends or families to help them better cope with the world around them.”
BBC Education’s Own It, the destination for online safety tips and education, will also be adding more videos, quizzes and articles on digital wellbeing and how to make the internet a kinder place for 7-11 year olds ahead of Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week.
