Playful Minds

By the end of their journey through the Playful Minds programme, children will achieve Play Champion status by:

• Playing more than ever before
• Regulating their emotions through play
• Recognising the benefits of play for their mental health and well-being
• Demonstrating characteristics linked to being emotionally intelligent
• Identifying their own unique trusted adults and wider community network
• Demonstrating resilience by managing their own risks
• Recognising the value of outdoor play in managing BIG emotions.

By the end of their journey through the Playful Minds programme, we hope that the adults that surround the children become Play Champions by:

• Making play a priority!
• Encouraging outdoor play!
• Allowing children to be MESSY, LOUD and to PLAY FREELY
• Recognising the value of play for their child’s mental health and well-being
• Role-modelling healthy coping strategies
• Empowering children with the TIME, SPACE and PERMISSION to play!

PlayBoard’s Playful Minds programme makes learning about emotions and resilience not just effective, but super fun!

Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, Playful Minds aims to support their mission of building social connections through engaging with community activities by providing exciting and stimulating play opportunities across the Belfast City Council area. Play enables children to form relationships and develop social norms in a fun and age-appropriate way that moves at their own pace. These relationships will ultimately help to support their mental health and well-being as they grow.

“There’s a rumble in the jungle! Little Lion can’t manage his emotions, he’s not even sure what they are! Go on an adventure with Archie Bear and his jungle friends to explore what emotions are, and learn how to manage our feelings in a very fun and playful way.”

In 2022, PlayBoard developed a mental health and well-being storybook for school-aged children. Archie’s Adventures in Emotions was born and is accompanied by an exciting play activity pack and snuggly Archie Bear Teddy. This resource has become the foundation of the Playful Minds programme, featuring throughout the programme and promoting the power of play in supporting children to build emotional intelligence in an age-appropriate and FUN way!

Promoting a holistic delivery approach, ensuring that key messages are carried through to the home.

• Flexible timing, held before, during, or after the children’s sessions.
• Parents will learn about the programme, the topics their child(ren) explored, and how they can support emotional development at home through play.
• Key concepts:
  • Introduction to the project and its goals.
  • A look at children’s mental health, resilience, and the power of play.
  • Tips for parents on using play to explore emotions at home.

Children’s Play Sessions

Featuring the process of storytelling, the children will explore our eight primary emotions with the help with Archie Bear, Little Lion and all their jungle friends. Most importantly, they will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of exciting and stimulating play activities that will support them to manage and process their emotions at their own pace, in a fun and inclusive environment, while exploring the following topics:

1. Who am I? Discover what makes you special.
2. What are emotions? Explore the magic of feelings.
3. How do I manage my emotions? Learn to tackle big feelings.
4. Where do I belong? Understand your place in the world.
5. The power of Play Champions! A fun-filled celebration of everything we’ve learned!

Each play session should run on consecutive weeks/days and will last between 1.5 to 2 hours each depending on the availability of your setting.

• View the information flyer.
• Download Expression of Interest Form.

If you would like further information on the project, please email the Team: playfulminds@playboard.co.uk