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Video summary

Clinical psychologist Dr Hazel Harrison and Rachel, a member of the Youth Parliament Committee, explore the importance of ‘taking notice’.

Rachel shares how she takes notice of the issues that are happening around her and how she tries to make a positive change.

Throughout this series Dr Hazel introduces us to the five steps to wellbeing. In this film she explains what happens in our brains when we take notice of what is happening around us.

We learn about the positive effects that taking notice can have on our wellbeing, and how having a growth mindset can help us to keep our knowledge and our brain growing.

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Teacher Notes

Taking notice of the people, issues, occurrences and things around you can help you to be in the present moment, taking notice of the ‘here and now’.

Savouring a positive experience can help to increase feelings of positivity.

Reflecting on your own thoughts and feelings will help appreciate what really matters.

Speaking out for the things you believe in can increase your wellbeing - feeling good and doing good are closely connected.

Before watching the film:

Watch the Teacher's guide with Dr Hazel Harrison and Natalie Costa for further support on wellbeing and growth mindset, as well as tips for using these resources.

This explains why the films were made and how they can be used, as well as offering guidance on growth mindset language and ways to integrate this into your daily teaching.

This film is produced with 7-12-year-olds in mind.

However, always make yourself familiar with the content and consider carefully whether it will be appropriate and of use for your class.

Once you are confident it is the right resource for your pupils, watch it through alone and consider how it would work best for you all.

Using the film:

This is one of five films about wellbeing and developing a growth mindset.

They can be shown in any order and are designed to encourage children to think about their own wellbeing, and how they can learn to build good habits to support their mental health and develop a positive attitude.

Classroom Ideas:

  • Start a group discussion about people in the public eye that have taken notice to help make a change.

  • Discuss the different ways in which we can take notice to bring ourselves to the present moment.

  • Try a mindfulness exercise to encourage pupils to notice their breath.

  • Have a ‘take notice’ walk around the school and see if pupils can spot things they’ve never noticed before.

How the film links to PSHE Curriculum:

The films cover the core theme of Health & Wellbeing for KS1 and KS2, delivering learning to pupils on the following points:

  • what keeping healthy means; different ways to keep healthy

  • strategies and behaviours that support mental health - including how good quality sleep, physical exercise/time outdoors, being involved in community groups, doing things for others, clubs, and activities, hobbies and spending time with family and friends can support mental health and wellbeing

  • to value the different contributions that people and groups make to the community

  • the importance of having compassion towards others; shared responsibilities we all have for caring for other people and living things; how to show care and concern for others

  • ways of carrying out shared responsibilities for protecting the environment in school and at home; how everyday choices can affect the environment (e.g. reducing, reusing, recycling; food choices).

This short film will be relevant for teaching PSHE at KS2 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and 2nd Level in Scotland.

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Dan - Connect with others. video

Dr Hazel Harrison and a young magician called Dan find out why it’s important to connect with other people. Dan has Asperger Syndrome, also known as Asperger's, and sometimes finds it difficult to connect with people. In this short film he shares his experiences of learning magic, using his growth mindset, and using magic tricks to help him connect with other people.

Dan - Connect with others

Kristana - Be active. video

Dr Hazel Harrison and a young weight-lifter called Kristana find out why it’s good for us to keep active. In this short film Kristana explains how weightlifting has helped her to feel better about herself, develop confidence in school and overcome challenges.

Kristana - Be active

Mjd - Give to others. video

Dr Hazel Harrison and a student called Mjd explain why it’s important for us to give to others. In this short film Mjd explains how he used a growth mindset to learn English, and how he 'gives to others’ by translating for his classmates and helping them learn.

Mjd - Give to others

Ethan - Keep learning. video

Dr Hazel Harrison and adaptive surfer, Ethan, explore why it’s important to keep learning new things. Ethan has cerebral palsy, a medical condition that affects his movement and coordination. He's also an adaptive surfer and is training to go to the world adaptive championships in California. In this short film Ethan shares his experiences of using a growth mindset to learn new things.

Ethan - Keep learning

The Brain House. video

In this short film for primary schools Dr Hazel Harrison talks about what happens in our brains when we feel different emotions.

The Brain House

Introducing 'The Brain Lab' - A guide for teachers. video

An introduction to the resources for teachers with tips on how the films could be used in the classroom.

Introducing 'The Brain Lab' - A guide for teachers
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