Unique ways to improve children’s mental well-being

Children spend a large part of their growing years in school. Beyond academic learning, schools and educational institutions play an important role in shaping how children manage stress, build confidence and relate to others. Supporting mental well-being therefore does not always have to begin with formal counselling. It can also be built into everyday school life through creative, social and preventive approaches. 

1. Embedding social-emotional learning into daily routines 

Schools can support children's mental well-being by making social-emotional learning (SEL) part of everyday school life, rather than treating it as a one-off lesson. This can include short morning check-ins, reflection journals, gratitude prompts, class discussions or simple exercises on recognising emotions .

By building these habits into daily routines, children learn that emotions are normal and manageable. This also gives teachers more opportunities to notice when a child seems withdrawn, anxious or overwhelmed. Research supports this approach, with a major review published in Child Development, covering over half a million students across more than 50 countries, found that schools with strong SEL programmes saw meaningful improvements in student well-being, academic performance and sense of belonging.

2. Redesigning physical spaces for calm

The school environment itself can affect how children feel. Bright, noisy and crowded spaces may be stimulating for some students, but overwhelming for others. Schools can consider creating quiet corners, calm rooms or reflection spaces where children can take a short pause when they feel overstimulated.

In its Infant School, each classroom has a designated quiet area, such as a tepee, soft seat or cosy corner with cushions and calm furnishings. In its Junior School, students can use tepees or cosy corners as part of their “regulation toolbox”, with strategies such as breathing, mindfulness and visualisation. The school also has pastoral hubs where students can read, play board games, do art projects or engage in calming activities such as colouring and sand play before returning to lessons.

This shows that calm spaces do not need to be complicated. A small area with books, soft seating, calming visuals, sensory tools or breathing prompts can help children regulate their emotions before returning to class. This supports a whole-school approach to mental health, where well-being is shaped not only by formal support, but also by the wider school environment and culture.

3. Hands-on creative workshops that let kids unwind together

Creative workshops offer children a non-clinical way to relax, express themselves and connect with others. Instead of focusing on grades or performance, activities such as cooking workshops, music and rhythm sessions or cooperative games. These activities give children different ways to unwind, express themselves and connect with their peers. The key is not the specific activity itself, but creating a low-pressure space where children can explore, make choices and experience a sense of achievement outside the usual academic setting.

Schools can also partner with external facilitators to introduce structured creative workshops as part of their well-being or enrichment programmes. For example, GroupAID runs hands-on workshops such as terrarium-making and Bearbrick acrylic pour, which can be adapted for different school settings. These activities give students a shared experience that is creative, tactile and social. A child who may not usually stand out in class may still feel proud of creating something of their own, while students also get to practise patience, communication and teamwork in a relaxed environment.

4. Including movement, nature and sensory breaks 

Not every child processes stress by talking about it. Some children need movement, outdoor time or sensory activities to reset. Schools can include short movement breaks, nature walks, gardening sessions or tactile activities between lessons to help students release energy and return to class more settled.

A real-life example can be seen at Lakewood Elementary School in California, where teachers use short “brain breaks” during lessons. In one classroom, students jog in place while answering quiz questions, helping them refresh their focus before returning to academic work. Younger students also have access to a “Chillax Corner”, a quiet classroom space with calming tools such as stress balls, pictures and fidget items, where they can regulate their emotions before rejoining the class. 

This shows that movement and sensory breaks do not have to be disruptive or complicated. When built into the school day, they can give children practical ways to manage restless, frustration or overwhelm. Physical activity is also linked to benefits such as improved brain health and academic performance in children. Even small changes, such as stretching between lessons or brining nature-based activities into the school day, can help children manage stress in healthier way. 

5. Teach digital well-being and healthy screen habits 

Finally, schools can support mental well-being by teaching children how to manage their digital lives. This includes discussing screen time, cyberbullying, online comparison, digital boundaries and the effect of devices on sleep and mood. 

A real-life example can be seen in Victoria, Australia, where state schools are introducing limits on classroom screen use. From 2027, secondary school students will be limited to a maximum of two hours of screen use during classroom time, while younger primary school students will have even lower limits. The aim is not to remove technology from learning completely, but to encourage more face-to-face interaction, hands-on activities, discussion and focused classroom engagement. 

The OECD notes that being online is now an integral part of children’s lives, but there are concerns about how reliance on digital technologies may affect well-being. Schools can help children build balanced habits, rather than simply telling them to avoid technology. This prepares students to use digital spaces more safely, intentionally and confidently. 

Ultimately, improving children’s mental well-being can begin with small, everyday changes. A calmer classroom corner, a short movement break, a creative activity or a conversation about healthy screen habits can all help students feel more supported and ready to learn.

If you’re exploring ways to bring more creative, hands-on well-being experiences into your school or institution, reach out to GroupAID and we’d be happy to share how our workshops can be adapted for your students.