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Experts have worked out Ten Keys to Happier Living where we can take action to help us feel happier.

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Experts have worked out Ten Keys to Happier Living where we can take action to help us feel happier.

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Bartholomew the Sheep tries Laughter Medicine Assembly

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Bartholomew the Sheep tries Laughter Medicine Assembly

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https://youtu.be/QFeNwci_N5U
A 5 minute video you can add a minute's introduction t

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APP

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The app is like having a little personal action coach in your pocket who:

Gives you friendly 'nudges' with an action idea each day

Sends you inspiring messages to give you a boost

Helps you connect & share ideas with like-minded people

People are finding it really helpful and inspiring; for example, Jane said:
"I love it. The fact I get daily messages prompting me with the day's happiness challenge and reminding me of good things is perfect"
The Action for Happiness app is based on the themes and actions from our popular monthly calendars and aims to give users a couple of friendly "nudges" each day - firstly that day's action in the morning and secondly an inspiring message towards the end of the day.
** Please note that the push notifications are currently timed for UK use so may not arrive at the ideal time of day in other time zones!
The app was developed in partnership with Disciple Media, using their innovative app platform which helps communities to thrive.

We'd love your support in helping to spread the word about the app so please do let your friends and colleagues know about it. And we'd love your feedback about the app too :)

> Download the app for iOS & Android

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Get daily actions and inspiration on your phone, connect with a like-minded community

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You will find the Sign Up form at the bottom of the page - Happiness Clubs - on the Action for Happiness Website.

Complete this to access all of the training videos.

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The mission of Action for Happiness is to promote a happier world, through a culture that prioritises happiness and kindness

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Purchase the children's book '50 Ways to Feel Happy'

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Purchase the children's book '50 Ways to Feel Happy'

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This is an action-packed, illustrated book that helps children build happiness skills and develop helpful habits for their daily lives. Use the activities in the book as described in the training and suggestions on this Padlet Board.

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50 Ways to be Happy specifications: Paperback
192mm x 244mm
64pp
ISBN 9781526210029
Readership, children. general

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Downloading a document to use as a template

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Downloading a document to use as a template

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1. Click on the document
2 Click on the 3 dots on the right hand side
3. Click on download attachment

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GREAT DREAM - TEN KEYS TO HAPPIER LIVING

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GREAT DREAM - TEN KEYS TO HAPPIER LIVING

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Bartholomew wonders how to be a good friend

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Bartholomew wonders how to be a good friend

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Assembly - Bartholomew Sheep Works Out How To Be A Good Friend

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Whether it's your individual journey at focus or sharing the experience with others - taking action will lead you towards a happier life.

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AWARENESS - key messages and challenge for the week

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AWARENESS - key messages and challenge for the week

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GIVING - key messages and challenge for the week

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GIVING - key messages and challenge for the week

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MEANING - key messages and challenge for the week

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MEANING - key messages and challenge for the week

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ACCEPTANCE - key messages and challenge for the week

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ACCEPTANCE - key messages and challenge for the week

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EMOTIONS - key messages and challenge for the week

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EMOTIONS - key messages and challenge for the week

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DIRECTION - key messages and challenge for the week

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DIRECTION - key messages and challenge for the week

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RESILIENCE - key messages and challenge for the week

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RESILIENCE - key messages and challenge for the week

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TRYING OUT - key messages and challenge for the week

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TRYING OUT - key messages and challenge for the week

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RELATING - key messages and challenge for the week

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RELATING - key messages and challenge for the week

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EXERCISING - key messages and challenge for the week

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EXERCISING - key messages and challenge for the week

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ACTIVITY BOOKLET for YOUNGER CHILDREN AGES 4 - 5 to introduce them to the GREAT DREAM framework.

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ACTIVITY BOOKLET for YOUNGER CHILDREN AGES 4 - 5 to introduce them to the GREAT DREAM framework.

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Important information is provided for each Key with example activities that can be undertaken with younger children to help begin to embed the actions that they can take to promote their own happier living.

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Blank template to plan a Happiness Club session

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Blank template to plan a Happiness Club session

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The 10 keys are based on the latest research and backed by thousands of studies.

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The 10 keys are based on the latest research and backed by thousands of studies.

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Assembly: Bartholomew appreciates what he cannot see

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Assembly: Bartholomew appreciates what he cannot see

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Add a minute's introduction where you greet the children and encourage them to think about invisible things that keep them alive

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School Assembly - Bartholomew Sheep Celebrates Things We Can't See

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A one minute practice to make life happier and kinder

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Action for Happiness (@actionhappiness)

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SIMPLE AWARENESS ACTIONS - for you to try

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SIMPLE AWARENESS ACTIONS - for you to try

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Go nature spotting.

Focus on one thing at a time. Be aware of the present and what is going on.

Stop to watch the sky and clouds for a few minutes each day.

Notice 3 things that are beautiful.

Take 3 calm breaths regularly throughout each day.

Eat slowly, notice the taste, texture and smell of your food.

Listen to a piece of music without doing anything else.

As you walk notice the sound of each step and how it feels.

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Great icebreaker - Five Finger Breathing Exercise

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Great icebreaker - Five Finger Breathing Exercise

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Open your hand out like a star.

Get your index (pointer) finger of your other hand ready to  trace up and down your fingers.

Slide up each finger whilst slowly counting to five

Slide down the other side to the count of five

Breathe in through your nose - out through your mouth.

Breathe in as you slide your finger up and breathe out as you slide it down.

Keep going until you have finished tracing your hand.

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Make a list of what matters to you most.

Find a way to help a project or cause that you care about.

Find out about the values and traditions of another culture.

Do something to contribute to your local community.

Look up at the sky. Remember we are all part of something bigger.

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SIMPLE ACCEPTANCE ACTIONS - for you to try

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SIMPLE ACCEPTANCE ACTIONS - for you to try

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Treat yourself as you would treat a friend.

When things go wrong, be kind to yourself.

Notice the things you do well and and say well done.

Say a caring, calming, phrase to yourself when you are low.

Choose to see your mistakes as opportunities to help you learn.

Write down three things you like about yourself.

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SIMPLE EMOTIONS ACTIONS - for you to try

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SIMPLE EMOTIONS ACTIONS - for you to try

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Decide to look for what’s good even on the difficult days.

Take a photo of something that brings you joy and share it.

Appreciate nature and the beauty of the world around you.

Create a playlist of your favourite songs and enjoy them.

Create a list of your favourite memories.

Watch a funny video clip and enjoy how it feels to laugh.

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SIMPLE DIRECTION ACTIONS - for you to try

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SIMPLE DIRECTION ACTIONS - for you to try

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Take a small step towards a goal that really matters to you.

Make some progress on a task you have been avoiding.

Share an important goal with someone you trust.

Ask for help in overcoming an obstacle you are facing.

Find a new way of looking at a problem.

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We all have ups and downs - difficulties are part of life.

Resilience is about finding positive ways to manage difficult situations and the feelings linked to them.

What we think about things determines what we feel.

Having a support network can increase our resilience.

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SIMPLE TRYING OUT ACTIONS-for you to try

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SIMPLE TRYING OUT ACTIONS-for you to try

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Learn about a new topic.

Make a meal using a recipe you've not tried before.

Try a new form of exercise.

Play new music or watch a new TV show.

Design your own birthday card for a friend.

Visit somewhere in the local area you've not been to before.

Learn to say a word or phrase in 3 different languages.

Share one of your skills with a friend or ask them to share one of their skills with you.

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SIMPLE RELATING ACTIONS - for you to try

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SIMPLE RELATING ACTIONS - for you to try

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Smile at the people you are with and try to brighten their day.

Ask a friend what good things happened to them recently.

Ask curious questions when listening to others.

Put away  your phone/game and focus on who you are with.

Plan to meet up with others and do something fun.

Get in touch with an old friend you've not seen in a while.

Make positive comments to as many people as possible today.

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SIMPLE EXERCISING ACTIONS - for you to try

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SIMPLE EXERCISING ACTIONS - for you to try

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Dance to your favourite music.

Go to bed on time.

Help in the garden.

Go up and down the stairs at least 10 times a day.

Walk or Cycle if you can instead of asking for a lift.

Try an online exercise class or work out.

Go outdoors today.

Eat a rainbow of fruit and veg today.

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Example Planning Session for Happiness Club (Awareness & Trying Out)

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Example Planning Session for Happiness Club (Awareness & Trying Out)

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Creativity is so good for our mental health and emotional wellbeing

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The Ten Keys to Happier Living GREAT DREAM framework is a MENU not a PRESCRIPTION

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The Ten Keys to Happier Living GREAT DREAM framework is a MENU not a PRESCRIPTION

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An action plan of happiness for the holidays (not Action for Happiness but lots of cross-over)

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An action plan of happiness for the holidays (not Action for Happiness but lots of cross-over)

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HOME

Posters for children

Posters for children

These lovely posters have been designed to accompany our Keys to Happier Living toolkit for schools, based on the Ten Keys to Happier Living.

> Download the full set of posters

(two versions)
Poster sets for colouring in

Ten Keys to Happier Living
TEN KEYS BUNTING

Download our Ten Keys to Happier Living bunting designs:

Book: Ten Keys to Happier Living

Order your copy of our inspiring, science-based book and discover how to live a happier life and help create a happier world.

Children's kindness inspires commuters

Pupils at John Stainer School re-branded Anti-Bullying Week as "It's Cool To Be Kind Week" and have been spreading kindness at school and in their local community.
Read more
Together we're stronger
Having a network of social connections or high levels of social support has been shown to increase our immunity to infection, lower our risk of heart disease and reduce mental decline as we get older.

Not having close personal ties has been shown to pose significant risks for our health.
Happiness is good for your heart
Harvard School of Public Health examined 200 separate research studies on psychological wellbeing and cardiovascular health.

Optimism and positive emotion were found to provide protection against cardiovascular disease, to slow progression of heart disease and reduce risk, by around 50%, of experiencing a cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack.
Happiness: a skill you can learn
Western neuroscience has now confirmed what Eastern wisdom has known for a long time: happiness is a skill we can learn.

Research shows that happiness, compassion and kindness are the products of skills that can be learned and enhanced through training, thanks to the neuroplasticity of our brains.
Our happiness is not set in stone
Although our genes influence about 50% of the variation in our personal happiness, our circumstances (like income and environment) affect only about 10%.

As much as 40% is accounted for by our daily activities and the conscious choices we make. So the good news is that our actions really can make a difference.

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HOME Posters for children These lovely posters have been designed to accompany our Keys to Happier Living toolkit for schools, based on the Ten Keys to Happier Living.

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Using your finger slowly trace the path from the start into the centre of the labyrinth. While your finger is at the centre, breathe in …. And breathe out 3 times. Trace the path back out again. Reflection: Ask the pupils what they felt and what they enjoyed doing this.

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Say something nice.

Offer to help.

Smile.

Say thank you.

Apologise.

Tidy your room.

Send kind thoughts.

Make and give a gift to someone.

Share good news.

Be kind to yourself.

Open a door for someone.

Think of a Giving action that works for you.

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Small moments that have meaning for us can add up to us feeling we have meaning in our life

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Look for the meaningful moments in daily life 💕✨

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Acceptance session plan - example from contributor

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Acceptance session plan - example from contributor

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Session Plan for Emotions Yr 2 - example from contributor

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Session Plan for Emotions Yr 2 - example from contributor

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Session Plan for Direction year 2 - example from contributor

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Session Plan for Direction year 2 - example from contributor

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Resilience session plan - example from contributor

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Resilience session plan - example from contributor

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When you feel you can't do something add the word 'yet.' E.g. I can't ......YET.

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When you feel you can't do something add the word 'yet.' E.g. I can't ......YET.

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Relating Session Plan for year 2 group - example from contributor

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Relating Session Plan for year 2 group - example from contributor

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Plan for exercise session - example from contributor

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Plan for exercise session - example from contributor

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After your session, use this to assess what worked well, what needs to be learnt, to help prepare for the next session

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Designed for secondary aged pupils - a holiday wellbeing challenge (not Action for Happiness but plenty of cross-over)

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Designed for secondary aged pupils - a holiday wellbeing challenge (not Action for Happiness but plenty of cross-over)

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The Keys to Happier Living Toolkit is an engaging, accessible and evidence-based programme to promote the emotional wellbeing and resilience of children aged 5-11
There are two versions of the Toolkit, one for ages 5-7 and the other for ages 7-11. You can use the form below to find out more and access the online ordering system.

Both versions are based on the Action for Happiness Ten Keys to Happier Living framework and have been piloted in primary schools with appropriate age groups. Qualitative feedback was very positive and quantiative analysis showed significant improvements in wellbeing and other areas. The toolkit for ages 7-11 was also previously awarded the PSHE Association Quality Mark.

The Toolkits are available to order online and cost £80 each for unlimited access to all resources for a full academic year. They consist of a set of downloadable digital resources which can be used/printed by the school as needed:

Toolkit for Teachers: full teaching materials covering an initial assembly and 11 subsequent lessons, with ideas for ongoing reinforcement

Journal for Children: each child receives their own journal to help embed learning

Journal for Adults: to help staff embed the ideas in their own lives too

Information Leaflet: for Parents and Carers about the Keys to Happier Living

Extensive supporting resources available to download

An Information Leaflet with some general activities has also been developed for teachers to introduce younger children (ages 4-5) to the GREAT DREAM framework. This is included in the downloadable resources for the Toolkit ages 5-7.

"A fantastic toolkit which has been shown to bring considerable benefits. Teachers will especially appreciate the huge array of ideas and creative resources. This program fills a vitally important gap in our schools and I highly recommend it" ~ Sir Anthony Seldon

"I strongly believe that the earlier we teach children how to look after themselves and others, the happier and more successful they will become, and this Toolkit provides the resources to do just that. Highly recommended!" Adrian Bethune (Toolkit 5-7)

"Provides a wide variety of stimulating and creative ideas for developing skills that support happier living and wellbeing in the lives of pupils and parents/carers" ~ PSHE Association (Toolkit 7-11)

The toolkit has been developed by Peter Harper and Val Payne along with Shannon Thorne and Tamarin Butcher for KS1 and with support from Action for Happiness.
Add your details below to find out more: Feedback about the toolkit

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Keys to Happier Living Toolkit for Schools

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The Keys to Happier Living Toolkit is an engaging, accessible and evidence-based programme to promote the emotional wellbeing and resilience of children aged 5-11 There are two versions of the Toolkit, one for ages 5-7 and the other for ages 7-11. You can use the form below to find out more and access the online ordering system.

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Awareness session plan - example from contributor

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Awareness session plan - example from contributor

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Meaning session plan - example from contributor

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Meaning session plan - example from contributor

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Session Plan for acceptance year 2 - example 2 from contributor

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Session Plan for acceptance year 2 - example 2 from contributor

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Direction session plan - example 2 from contributor

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Direction session plan - example 2 from contributor

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Session Plan for resilience Yr 2 - example 2 from contributor

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Session Plan for resilience Yr 2 - example 2 from contributor

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Trying Out Session Plan - example from contributor

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Trying Out Session Plan - example from contributor

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Friendships are important for happiness. How much do you know about your friends?

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KEYS BUSINESS CARDS - I felt happy when..........

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KEYS BUSINESS CARDS - I felt happy when..........

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Join Action for Happiness to help create a happier and kinder world.
SIGN UP using the JOIN THE MOVEMENT BUTTON at the top right hand corner of each page.

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Prioritising happiness and kindness influences how we approach everything - including our personal lives, families, communities, schools and workplaces. It also shapes our views on public policy and helps us to consider the wellbeing of future generations too.
We have no religious, political or commercial affiliations and welcome people of all faiths (or none) and all parts of society. Our members make a simple pledge: to create more happiness and less unhappiness in the world.

Our patron is The Dalai Lama.

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Action for Happiness is a charity that promotes a happier and more caring society. We promote how to be happy, kindness, connection & wellbeing

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CHOCOLATE FUN with one piece of chocolate

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Children either chose who they wanted to give them to or took them to their teacher to award for the Kindest people of the week.

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Sesson Plan for Meaning - example 2 from contributor

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Sesson Plan for Meaning - example 2 from contributor

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The wool network did not work so well with only 9 children - see lesson plan attached

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Notes to go inside Happiness journals (Debbie's notebooks are great)

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Notes to go inside Happiness journals (Debbie's notebooks are great)

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Pupils can play this simple game of Snakes AND Ladders to reinforce their understanding of ‘Resilience.’ When a player lands on a square with a snake they identify something that ‘knocks them down’ or that they find difficult to deal with. They then move down the snake. When a player lands on a square with a ladder they identify something that helps them ‘bounce back.’ They then move up the ladder.

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Change the rules of a simple game like Snakes and Ladders or Snap to create a new game.

Play your new game with a friend.

What did you both enjoy?

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Suggested questions for 'reporter interviews'

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Journal for Adults - Ten Keys to Happier Living

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Journal for Adults - Ten Keys to Happier Living

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The Ten Keys to Happier Living - A personal Journal for adults for downloading

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Step outside and look up at the sky. What do you see and what is the weather like?

Begin walking and:

- Notice what you see, hear and smell.
- Notice your feet touching the ground and stepping out

After your walk what do you remember?

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Take the SMILE challenge and smile at as many people as you can today

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Thankfulness Tree | Easy Thanksgiving Craft For Kids | Party Create

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"You never know what you can do until you try."
C.S. Lewis

"Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young."
Henry Ford

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Cut card to slightly smaller than A4 so that it can be glued later to a piece of coloured A4 paper. Cut down the two long sides. fold card in half, pulling out and creasing the 'pop-up' bit. Stick card to coloured paper. Cut pieces of card no deeper than 8cm on which the children draw their picture. Stick picture to 'pop up'

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What do you feel when you are active or take exercise?

What ways of being active and exercise do you do now and enjoy? How do you feel?

What other ways of keeping active and exercise could you also do in the future?

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Risk Assessment Boddington Actions for Happiness Club Summer 2021  

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Example Risk Assessment - Boddington School

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Example Risk Assessment - Boddington School

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We can help spread positive emotions to others around us

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Action for Happiness on Instagram: "We can help spread positive emotions to others around us 💕 @dr_radha #joyfuljune"

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340 likes, 6 comments - actionhappiness on June 28, 2023: "We can help spread positive emotions to others around us 💕 @dr_radha #joyfuljune". 

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View this post on Instagram

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See how many people you can smile at today 😁

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See how many people you can smile at today 😁