Large Happy Bear

Parents and educators can use Happy Bear as a tool for emotional expression, encouraging children to share their feelings and thoughts through the bear. This practice can cultivate emotional intelligence and communication skills from a young age. By incorporating the bear into daily routines, caregivers can create a safe and comforting environment for children to explore their emotions. For example, children might be encouraged to talk to the bear about their day, express their fears and joys, or even role-play different scenarios to better understand their feelings and reactions.

Additionally, the bear can be used in group settings, such as classrooms or therapy sessions, to facilitate discussions around empathy, cooperation, and problem-solving. Children can take turns using the bear to voice their perspectives, helping them to develop a sense of empathy and understanding for others.

Moreover, this approach can be adapted as children grow, with the bear serving as a constant, reassuring presence in their journey towards emotional maturity. As children become more adept at articulating their emotions, they can transition from using the bear to direct conversations with trusted adults, further enhancing their emotional and social skills.

Ultimately, the bear becomes more than just a toy; it transforms into a valuable educational tool that supports the holistic development of a child's emotional intelligence, paving the way for healthier, more communicative relationships in the future.

Example lesson plan:

Subject: PSHE    Duration: 60 minutes     Objective: Students will understand and articulate their emotions, practice relaxation techniques, and develop conflict resolution skills using Mood Bears.
Materials Needed: Mood Bears (8 different bears representing different emotions)
Circle time mat
Calm music for relaxation
Conflict resolution cards/questions
Whiteboard and markers

Lesson Outline:
1. Introduction and Circle Time (15 minutes)
Objective: Facilitate a discussion about emotions using Mood Bears.Greeting and Warm-Up: Welcome students and have them sit in a circle. Briefly introduce the Mood Bears and explain how each bear represents a different emotion (e.g., Happy Bear, Sad Bear, Angry Bear, etc.).
Discussion: Pass around each bear and ask students to share a time when they felt the emotion represented by the bear. Encourage them to use phrases like “I felt
____ when ____.”
Engagement: Highlight the importance of recognising and talking about emotions.

2. Guided Relaxation Exercise (15 minutes)
Objective: Help children unwind and destress using the Mood Bears.
Preparation: Dim the lights and play calming music. Have each student pick a Mood Bear they feel connected to at the moment.
Relaxation Technique: Lead the students through a guided relaxation exercise. Instruct them to cuddle their Mood Bear, close their eyes, and take deep breaths. Guide them through relaxing each body part from head to toe.
Reflection: After the exercise, ask students how they feel and if the Mood Bear helped them relax. Discuss the importance of taking time to relax and de-stress.

3. Conflict Resolution Activity (20 minutes)

Objective: Teach children to communicate their feelings and find peaceful solutions to conflicts using Mood Bears.

Scenario Introduction: Present a simple conflict scenario relevant to their age group(e.g., “Two students want to play with thesame toy.”). Role-Playing: In pairs, have students use the Mood Bears to express their feelings about the conflict. For example, one student holds the Angry Bear to show they are upset, while the other holds the Nervous Bear.

Guidance: Facilitate the role-play,encouraging students to listen to each other and find a compromise or solution. Provide conflict resolution cards/questions to guide their discussion if needed.

4. Conclusion and Reflection (10 minutes)

Objective: Reinforce the day's learning and encourage ongoing use of Mood Bears.

Discussion: Ask students to share one thing they learned about emotions, relaxation, or conflict resolution.

Feedback: Allow students to give feedback on the activities and how they felt using the Mood Bears.

Encouragement: Encourage students to use the Mood Bears throughoutthe school day whenever they need support with their emotions.

Homework/Extension Activity: Ask students to draw a picture of their favorite Mood Bear and write a short story about a time when the bear helped them with their emotions.

Assessment: Observe student participation and engagement during activities. Review student reflections and stories to assess their understanding and application of emotional intelligence concepts.