R U OK? Day

What is R U OK? Day?

R U OK? Day is a day to ask each other the important question, ‘Are you okay?’. This day is a way to show each other that we care, and we want everyone to feel supported and comfortable to speak about how they feel. We also learn how to listen and help others who feel sad or worried. R U OK day emphasises the importance of spreading kindness.

When is R U OK? Day?

Thursday, September 12

Activities: 

• Circle Time Discussion: Start the day with a circle time discussion about feelings and emotions. Encourage children to share how they're feeling and talk about what makes them happy, sad, or worried.
• Emotion Recognition Activities: Set up stations with pictures or cards depicting different facial expressions to help children learn to recognize emotions. Encourage them to match the facial expressions to corresponding emotions and discuss how to support someone who is feeling sad or upset.
• Mindfulness and Relaxation: Encourage the children to participate in mindfulness exercises and relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, stretching etc. this will assist in practicing calming strategies to manage stress and regulate emotions
• Positive Affirmations: Create a positive affirmations board where children can write or draw affirmations to promote self-esteem and resilience. Encourage them to focus on positive qualities about themselves and their peers.
  
• Storytime about Feelings: Read books about feelings, emotions, and mental health during Storytime. Choose age-appropriate books that teach children about empathy, resilience, and self-care, and facilitate discussions about the themes of the stories.