How to use Moodboosters in your classroom
Welcome to the wonderful world of Moodboosters!
A series of fun, simple and interactive classroom activities to get your primary school pupils aged 5-11 moving for mental health and wellbeing. Made in association with BBC Children in Need and children’s mental health charity stormbreak.
Whether you're doing the activities in the classroom or at home, we've created this teacher guide with ideas and tips on how Moodboosters can be used during the school day to help pupils understand and express their emotions and feelings, have fun and feel good.
How to use Moodboosters in your classroom
Excerpts from Moodboosters clips:Hi!
When I say ‘star,’ you say ‘jump!’
Arms in the air like branches.
Oh, ghost! Freeze!
Hello, everyone.
How are you doing? Yay!
Hi, I'm Rhys.
And I'm Joe.
And playing games is a great way to connect with each other.
Are you ready to connect?
Dr Tharaka Gunarathne:Moodboosters is a lively series of interactive videos that brings fun and energy into the school day. Use them to get kids moving, grooving, and feeling great.
Excerpts from Moodboosters clips:Whoa! I feel so energised now.
Dr Tharaka Gunarathne:From mindful moments to air guitar jams, kids don't just watch, they jump in, follow along and feel the Moodboosting benefits for themselves. Each film provides fun, imaginative activities to the key elements of the PSHE curriculum, as well as the statutory primary RSHE curriculum, which focuses on relationships. Full details of links can be found in the accompanying notes. There are four different collections to explore within this series: Connect, Boost, Imagine and Recharge.
Excerpts from Moodboosters clips:Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
And air guitar!
Let's really go for it!
Dr Tharaka Gunarathne:Featuring household names such as Strictly's Amy Dowden.
Excerpts from Moodboosters clips:Right. It's showtime!
Dr Tharaka Gunarathne:Paralympian Ade Adepitan.
Excerpts from Moodboosters clips:Are you ready?
And breathe.
Dr Tharaka Gunarathne:Presenter Evie Pickerill.
Excerpts from Moodboosters clips:Now let's get rocking, baby!
Dr Tharaka Gunarathne:And dancing superstar Oti Mabuse.
Excerpts from Moodboosters clips:Yee haw!
Dr Tharaka Gunarathne:The films have been carefully created in partnership with experts to teach children valuable techniques which can boost their wellbeing.
Excerpts from Moodboosters clips:Sometimes we can feel lonely or scared, and those feelings are okay.
But it's important to that there are people who love us and care , and who can help us when we feel like this.
Imagine you are doing something you've always wanted to do.
Got it?
Dr Tharaka Gunarathne:This Moodboosters activity encourages children to use their imagination, to visualise succeeding in a task.
Excerpts from Moodboosters clips:Now, thinking of that thing, let's imagine making it happen.
Dr Tharaka Gunarathne:This is called visualisation.
Excerpts from Moodboosters clips:So let's start crouching down low as if you are the beginning of an idea.
So let's think. As the idea starts to grow, so do you, slowly but surely reaching for the stars.
Dr Tharaka Gunarathne:It's a technique used by sports professionals to enhance their focus, confidence and overall performance.
Excerpts from Moodboosters clips:As you grow, you get stronger and the idea of your dream seems closer, closer.
Slowly, your arms outstretched, you reach as high as you can and you grab your dream.
Has everyone grabbed their dream?
Dr Tharaka Gunarathne:Many psychologists say it can also benefit schoolwork and social activities.
Excerpts from Moodboosters clips:Amazing.
Well done, everyone, you did it!
Show me your celebration dance. Here we go.
Yeah! Amazing.
Dr Tharaka Gunarathne:And each one uses stunning visuals, catchy music, and easy-to-follow movements to generate a positive difference in mood.
There are lots of ways to integrate these films into your timetable.
You could use the Connect films first thing in the morning to help the children in your class feel united, strong and ready for the day ahead.
Imagine films can spark new ideas in a lesson and get discussion flowing.
Use Boost films between lessons to get children energised.
Movement can improve thinking skills.
And Recharge films can be a useful tool to calm and refocus children returning to the classroom after lunch or playtime.
Excerpts from Moodboosters clips:Now we're going to need a little bit of imagination and our powers of concentration.
So listen carefully as you're walking.
Dr Tharaka Gunarathne:Dive into this award-winning series to find engaging, reliable, free resources at your fingertips.
Make Moodboosters a fun and practical way to lift your class’s mood every day.
Watch on the BBC website to start today.
Excerpts from Moodboosters clips:Catch you later, crew.
Bye! See ya!
How can moving for mental health benefit pupils?
Moodboosters can encourage positive emotions, interpersonal skills and resilience which can improve children’s engagement and sense of wellbeing at school any beyond.
You can read more about the psychology behind Moodboosters on this article.
Where can Moodboosters fit into your daily timetable?
The activities are designed to be fluid and adaptable for the class timetable, particularly as part of health and wellbeing lessons or more flexibly just before (or after) breaks throughout the school day.
We have a suggested timetable of when to choose a themed Moodboosters activity video that best meets the needs of your pupils in a particular moment of the school day here.
| Time of day | Suggested Moodboosters theme | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Start of the day | Boost | Energise mind and body |
| Before morning break | Connect | Improve class morale and team spirit |
| After morning break | Recharge and Imagine | Regulate and refocus |
| Before lunch | Connect | Improve class morale and team spirit |
| After lunch | Recharge and Imagine | Regulate and motivate |
| Between lessons | Boost and Imagine | Energise and motivate |
| End of the day | Connect and Imagine | Reflection time |
Curriculum links
Moodboosters classroom resources can be used for teaching primary school pupils age 5 -11 PSHE in England, Health and Wellbeing in Wales and Scotland, and PDMU in Northern Ireland, and to with Ofsted, Estyn and Education Scotland requirements.
Each film is clearly labelled with the appropriate key stage, and with the parts of the curriculum it is linked to.
Preparation
Moodboosters activities have been carefully crafted with subject specialists to help children normalise big feelings, have fun and feel good.
We advise that teachers, parents or adults sharing a Moodboosters video with children watch the video first and assess the space available is suitable for accessibility requirements.
Teachers should ensure that the learning environment is safe and ive for all pupils during viewing, especially when they are asked to share ideas, feelings and emotions.
Being sensitive: Sensitivity is important even if you are not aware of any existing personal circumstances in the class – always work on the basis that there is at least one child who may be vulnerable, or not feeling okay.
Following up: Make yourself available for pupils if they want to discuss anything with you afterwards, and ensure pupils know where else they can get , both in and out of school.
Ensure you follow your school’s safeguarding and confidentiality policies and procedures; If you are unsure of the procedures, seek advice from your Designated Safeguarding Lead.
You can also the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000. For further details on establishing safe teaching and learning procedures, see guidance offered by the PSHE Association.
The Moodboosters classroom activities are based on the stormbreak approach and were developed by the stormbreak team in partnership with the BBC.
More resources
BBC Children in Need. External Link
Find out how your primary school can be part of an amazing day of fun and excitement
stormbreak. External Link
Explore more useful resources for children's mental health and wellbeing
Recharge. collection
Activities to help children become aware of the importance of self-care, whilst building resilience and recognising what makes them special.
Connect. collection
Fun, movement-based activities for children centring on relationships and how to recognise emotions in others through empathy.
Imagine. collection
Learning activities to promote creativity and optimism in children whilst encouraging them to use their imagination to envision their goals and aspirations.
Boost. collection
Energetic, movement-based activities promoting self-confidence in children by encouraging them to use movement and positive thinking to build self-esteem.
