St John's Church of England School

MindUP is a programme of lessons and activities which every class does throughout the year to help children to:

• learn better
• understand their own emotions and feelings
• be more positive and get on better with each other

Children take part in 15 MindUP lessons over the year, one lesson every two weeks.

Every day children will do three "Brain Breaks" in class.  "Brain Breaks" are deep breathing exercises which children do to help them calm down and prepare them for learning in lessons.

MindUP helps to make the classroom a happier and safer place for children. 

It reduces bullying and aggression and helps children to be more positive and understanding. 

To find out more, see the website.  http://www.thehawnfoundation.co.uk/mindup

Pause.  Listen.  Breathe.  It can take less than a minute to tell our minds to relax and focus.

“Brain Breaks” are short listening and breathing exercises which children are taught to help them calm down and get ready to learn.

Once they have learnt the breathing exercise, they can use this themselves to stop, breathe and think before they act.  

There are 15 MindUP lessons in total. 

Unit 1: Getting Focused (Lessons 1-3)

Children are taught about the different parts of their brain and how they work.

They are taught about “Brain Breaks” and how to do them.

Unit 2:  Sharpening Your Senses (Lessons 4-9)

Children learn about how their senses work, their moving bodies and they way they think.

Unit 3:  It’s All About Attitude (Lessons 10-12)

Children learn how to understand each other and how to be more positive.

Unit 4:  Taking Action Mindfully (Lessons 13-15)

Children learn to show gratitude and small acts of kindness in and outside of the classroom.