Making Sense of Mental Health and Wellbeing in Primary Schools

A Practical Neuroscience-Based Guide

Dusana Dorjee

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2025
• eBook ISBN: 9781040447994
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Educational Psychology

Building on the latest research in developmental neuroscience, this book provides an evidence-based, accessible and practical roadmap for those looking for more effective ways to support primary school pupils' mental health and wellbeing.

The guide begins by analysing current approaches before presenting a new, comprehensive framework for mental health and wellbeing curricula in primary schools. Focusing on building up mental health knowledge and key skills of children in a neuroscience-informed and age-appropriate way, the book:

• Translates key developmental processes in the mind and brain into learning outcomes, knowledge and skills with focus on Reception stage, KS1, and lower and upper KS2
• Lays out a 7-step, trauma-informed pedagogical approach for teaching mental health and wellbeing and provides a plethora of relevant activity examples
• Looks at the implementation of the curriculum framework as a whole school approach in primary schools, including its positioning within wider social contexts
• Explains key terms, with case studies and reflection opportunities throughout.

This innovative book is a must-have guide for primary school educators interested in understanding the mental health and wellbeing development of their pupils and finding research-based ways to effectively support them long-term. It is also valuable reading for pastoral leaders in schools, mental health professionals and policy makers.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-Title
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• 1 The What, Why and How of School Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Part I Guiding Attention
• Part II Managing Emotions
• Part III Nurturing Connections
• Part IV Finding Direction
• Index