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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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Press play on podcasts: Whether you're new to podcasts or looking for something fresh to add to your queue, our (screen-free!) picks keep kids of all ages listening and learning.

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Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

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Listen to Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee on Spotify. "Health has become overcomplicated. I aim to simplify it" In this podcast, we hear stories from leading health experts and exciting personalities who offer easy health life-hacks, expert advice and debunk common health myths giving you the tools to revolutionise how you eat, sleep, move and relax.

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The TPH Podcast with Dan Harris - Ten Percent Happier

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Tune in to the Ten Percent Happier podcast with Dan Harris for interviews with meditators, scientists, and authors on meditating, mental health, and much more.

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Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify | Listen on Google Podcasts | Listen on Pocketcasts | Listen on Stitcher | TuneIn | RSS

Fearne's HAPPY PLACE podcast, now in its ninth series with over 40 million downloads, builds on the success of the top 10 bestseller HAPPY where Fearne draws on her own experiences and shares advice from experts on how to work through feeling blue to finding joy each and every day.

Whatever your reason may be for feeling lost or frazzled from the pressures of this fast paced life, there are ways to put one foot in front of the other and help you unlock that inner happiness.

In this series Fearne delves into this subject further through chatting to inspiring individuals who have either made a change in their own lives or who help people every day to find a different way of looking at life.

Where's your Happy Place?

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Happy Place Podcast - News - Fearne Cotton

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In this series Fearne delves into this subject of Happiness through chatting to inspiring individuals who have either made a change in their own lives or who help people every day to find a different way of looking at life.

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BBC Radio 4 - All in the Mind - Downloads

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A podcast about dedicated and motivated amateur runners who are working hard to get better and achieving inspirational results.

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Guide to positive sleep

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There always someone to talk to

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Reach out for any reason, anytime. Childline is always here for every child and young person. Childline Ukrainian Services Childline Ukrainian Services Free Phone 1800 666666 Live Chat - it's easy! Info & Advice How I Feel Friends Home & Families Sexuality & Relationships Bullying, Abuse, Safety and Your Rights Education & Work About Me [...]

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Pieta | Preventing Suicide and Self-Harm since 2006

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Pieta provides free, therapeutic approach to people who are in suicidal distress, engage in self-harm, or bereaved by suicide, 24/7. Reach out to us today!

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How to cope with loss

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We are pleased to offer parents and guardians a chance to join us on zoom to learn more about Rainbows

The session aims to tell you about the Rainbows programmes, how they work and how they can support your son/daughter in advance of your son or daughter attending or perhaps they have already attended or you may be thinking about enrolling them . The session will help you make an informed decision.

Rainbows is 35 years in Ireland. We have learnt a lot from children and young people and what their concerns and worries can be. The focus of every session is on children/young people and is not on adult issues. It explores how children of different ages and stages of development can be affected by what has happened, highlighting what is normal and how attending the programme can help.

It is an informal welcoming space to listen - no pressure to speak - questions can be asked at any time.

Many parents and guardians have attended to date and have indicated how helpful it has been.

Feedback from these sessions in 2021-2022 was really positive - we hope to build on our support for parents going forward.

It's great for children to see that they are not alone & there are lots of other children in the same position.

Thank you so much, incredibly valuable and supportive

Absolutely amazing session. Empathy, professionalism from start to finish.

I felt very alone and so drowning in it all. I'm feeling better and know I am not alone. Thank you for everything.

Finding out that my kids behaviour is quite normal

Being able to share and chat with parents going through the separation was v helpful also

Ideas of what to do when kids are emotional or struggling was good to learn

We very much look forward to welcoming you on zoom.

Please boil the kettle, bring your cuppa and log in to meet Anne from Rainbows who will deliver the sessions
Dates for "Introduction for Parents/Guardians to the Rainbows Ireland Separation Programmes" Dates for "Introduction for Parents/Guardians to the Rainbows Ireland Bereavement Programme"

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Rainbows Ireland - Supporting Children with Bereavement and Parental Separation

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We are pleased to offer parents and guardians a chance to join us on zoom to learn more about Rainbows The session aims to tell you about the Rainbows programmes, how they work and how they can support your son/daughter in advance of your son or daughter attending or perhaps they have already attended or you may be thinking about enrolling them .

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Meditation

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Mindfulness for Resilience: A Body Scan Meditation with John Gerard Murphy

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20 Minute Guided Meditation for Reducing Anxiety and Stress--Clear the Clutter to Calm Down

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25 Fun Mindfulness Activities for Children & Teens (+Tips!)

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Fun mindfulness activities for kids to teach them about mindfulness. Enjoy!

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Five ways to Wellbeing

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Today's practice is Breath Awareness.

The breath is a terrific tool we have at our disposal to create more calm in ourselves. Stress makes our breathing faster and shallower which leads to tension in our bodies and also our minds. Allowing yourself space to breathe is wonderful gift that will reward you in untold ways. Attending to the breath has an extraordinary way of slowing down the breath and soothing the autonomic nervous system. It's as though the breath says "Oh, Thank you for noticing me, Now I can relax!". Sitting with your breath and following it in and out of your body can be difficult because the mind wants you to follow it instead. By noticing when your attention has gone somewhere else, and coming back to the breath again, you are 'flexing your awareness muscle' and strengthening your ability to focus. Informally, you can avail of opportunities during the day to pause with your breath.

Notice any insights form practicing breath awareness that arise for you.

You are invited to join us for another Mental Health Ireland's Mindful Moment Guided Practice Live Stream on Facebook at 1.30 pm .

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Today's practice is Breath Awareness. The breath is a terrific tool we have at our disposal to create more calm in ourselves. Stress makes our breathing faster and shallower which leads to tension in our bodies and also our minds. Allowing yourself space to breathe is wonderful gift that will reward you in untold ways.

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Listening & making notes

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Study Skills – Listening and making notes

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Keep revising it will pay off

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How to make stress your friend

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Kelly McGonigal: How to make stress your friend

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Stress. It makes your heart pound, your breathing quicken and your forehead sweat. But while stress has been made into a public health enemy, new research suggests that stress may only be bad for you if you believe that to be the case.

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Happify: Science-Based Activities and Games

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Build skills for lasting happiness: Happify turns the latest innovations in positive psychology, CBT, and mindfulness into activities and games that help you lead a more fulfilling life.

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Excellent meditation

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Calm is the #1 app for sleep and meditation. Join the millions experiencing better sleep, lower stress, and less anxiety.

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Conquering exam stress

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Conquering exam stress: lessons from our bodies

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App with excellent meditation exercises

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Zeminar Presents Harry Barry | Banish Panic Attacks for Life

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The Little Things campaign focuses on the little things that we can all do to protect our own mental health, and support the people we care about.

Familiar faces

In 2018, we asked some familiar faces to share their very own "6 Little Things" for minding their mental health.

Watch Riyadh Khalaf, Cliona O'Connor, Stephen Byrne, Aisling Thompson, Éanna Walsh and Mike Sheridan share their tips:

What are the simple things that you do every day? #6LittleThings

Little things that can make a big difference

Keeping active

Being active every day, something as simple as a walk is proven to have a positive impact on your mood.

Talking about your problems

Problems feel smaller when they are shared with others. They don't always have to be solved - just talking about it will do you good.

Looking out for others

Lending an ear to someone else in trouble, or catching up with someone who seems distant, can change their day, or their lives. Again, you don't have to fix anything for them - just listening is a huge help.

Doing things with others

Taking part in a group activity that you enjoy is proven to have a positive impact on how you feel, be it a game of football, joining a choir, volunteering.

Eating healthily

A regular healthy, balanced and nutritious diet will help both your physical, but also your mental health, and have a positive impact on how you feel.

Staying in touch

Catching up with friends and family is good for our mental health, reminding us that we're part of a community, and having a positive impact on how we feel.

Drinking less alcohol

For the average Irish drinker, reducing alcohol will have a positive impact on their health and mental wellbeing, making it easier to cope with day to day difficulties and stresses.

Sleeping well

Getting a good night's sleep of 7 or 8 hours, as often as you can, will have a positive impact on how you feel. Protect your sleep if you can, it will do you good.

Stories

Download Little Things posters

We designed some posters to remind us of the little things that make a big difference to how we feel.

Share them with friends and family, or download them to remind you that it's the little things that can help lift your mood.
Download Little Things posters

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The Little Things campaign focuses on the little things that we can all do to protect our own mental health, and support the people we care about. In 2018, we asked some familiar faces to share their very own "6 Little Things" for minding their mental health.

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What Is Stress? (for Teens) - Nemours KidsHealth

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Stress is a normal response to life’s changes, pressures, and challenges. It’s a mind-and-body signal that helps you get ready for what’s ahead. Find out more about how stress can help, and how it sometimes holds you back.

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Loads of activities

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WIMS School Supports Our new 'WIMS School Supports' series provides sets of presentations and lesson plans designed for teachers to use in the classroom to support students with transitioning back to school under the unusual and challenging circumstances of 2020.

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Stress levels can be higher than usual around exam time. While a bit of stress can help you to stay motivated and focused, too much can be unhelpful.

Exam stress can be overwhelming. It can confuse and exhaust you. If it all seems to be getting on top of you, there are things you can do to keep calm.

Having to revise a lot of information in a short space of time can be stressful. Not understanding course material can also add to your stress.

Keep a routine and take regular breaks

It's important to have regular study breaks and make time for relaxation and exercise.

Practising mindfulness helps you focus on what's happening right at this moment. Going for a walk, run, or to the gym is not a waste of time. It's a great way to clear your head and can help you focus.

Watching your favourite TV show or going to the movies are also good ways to take a break from studying.

Related topics
Exercise and mental health

Limit caffeine

Caffeine and energy drinks can give you a short lift. But they're not good for you in the long term.

They can make you feel sick and can interfere with your sleep and your ability to concentrate. You study better with regular breaks. Getting lots of sleep and exercise are also important.

Manage expectations

External pressures around exams can be huge. These can be hard to deal with, especially with family and people you respect. You need to remember that it's your life and your exam, with you in control.
Tips to help you manage expectations

Base expectations on your past performance and doing the best you can do.

Put the exam in context. In the overall scheme of things, how important is it?

Tell people about what you think is realistic. Talk to them, find out what they hope for you and tell them what you are thinking and feeling.

Use the expectations of yourself and others to assist your studying.

Talk to people about how you are feeling, see if they have any advice or help they can offer.

Ask for and accept support from those around you, especially family members.

If you don't do as well as you'd hoped there are always alternatives. It's not going to dictate whether you are a good or a bad person, or whether you are a success or failure.

Exams can't measure these sorts of things. All they measure is how well you can present the material asked for by the examiner. They are nothing more, nothing less.

Look after yourself

It's easy to let exams get on top of you and to forget to look after yourself. If possible, try to get a good night's sleep every night. It's a good time to make an effort to eat healthily, making sure you eat plenty of fruit and vegetables.

Ask for and accept support

If you're feeling overwhelmed, you might find it helpful to talk to a teacher or counsellor. It's also important to ask for, and accept, support from your family if you can. This support might be practical, like picking you up from the library. It could also be emotional support, including advice or help.

If you need to talk to someone outside the situation, you can call:

Options for the future

If you are doing the leaving cert, getting the marks for your first preference is great. But it's not the end of the world if you don't. There are other options to get into your course.

It may mean deferring and getting some practical experience or doing further study. You might consider retaking some subjects in some cases, or transferring in after a year or two. If you do accept another offer, you may find that you like it or it suits you better.

Leave the stress in the exam hall

There's always a light at the end of the tunnel. Exams have a beginning and an end, and the stress that goes along with them should end with the exam.

Once the paper's in, there's nothing more you can do about it. You should just try to relax afterwards.

Related topics
10 ways to fight your fears

page last reviewed: 23/09/2018
next review due: 23/09/2021

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Stress levels can be higher than usual around exam time. While a bit of stress can help you to stay motivated and focused, too much can be unhelpful. Exam stress can be overwhelming. It can confuse and exhaust you. If it all seems to be getting on top of you, there are things you can do to keep calm.

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Want to try the body scan

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Mindfulness for Students Mindfulness is a great resource for students, not only when doing exams

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Being a teen is stressful! Whether it's school, friends, or dating, the teen years are full of difficult changes-both mentally and physically. If you're like many teens, you may have difficulty dealing with stress in effective ways. You aren't alone, and there are things you can do to stay calm, no matter how stressful life becomes. All you need to do is stop, breathe, and be mindful and aware in the present moment.

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Being a teen is stressful! Whether it's school, friends, or dating, the teen years are full of difficult changes-both mentally and physically. If you're like many teens, you may have difficulty dealing with stress in effective ways. You aren't alone, and there are things you can do to stay calm, no matter how stressful life becomes.

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Trusted information on everyday and complex child health conditions from The Hospital for Sick Children.

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Welcome to the Body Coach TV where I post weekly home workouts to help you get, stronger, healthier and happier.

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Guide to a Good Night's Sleep A healthy sleep routine can be a big difference to how we feel and has great benefits to our physical and mental health. Whether you've had sleeping problems before Covid-19, or if they've only come on recently, there are clear action steps that you can take to improve your sleep and boost your health and your mood.

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SpunOut.ie is Ireland's youth information website created by young people, for young people.

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The ISPCC operates Teenline, a national active listening service for children and young people up to the age of 18 in Ireland.

Teenline can be contacted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by calling 1800 833 634.

The service is free to contact and is confidential, non-directive and non-judgmental.

Teenline was founded in 2005 by Maureen Bolger, following the death of her son Darren (aged 16) by suicide.

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The ISPCC operates Teenline, a national active listening service for children and young people up to the age of 18 in Ireland. Teenline can be contacted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by calling 1800 833 634. The service is free to contact and is confidential, non-directive and non-judgmental.

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HSE Drugs & Alcohol Helpline
This confidential service has both a freephone Helpline (1800 459 459) and an email support service ( helpline@hse.ie).

The HSE Drugs & Alcohol Helpline provides support, information, guidance and referral to anyone with a question or concern related to drug and alcohol use and/or HIV and sexual health. The service is non-judgemental and offers space to talk about your situation, to explore some options and to consider your needs. During calls/ emails, staff refer to a database of over 400 services nationwide.

Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9.30am and 5.30pm.

If you have any questions about our service, feel free to get in touch.

The Helpline is a member of the European Foundation of Drug Helplines (FESAT) and Telephone Helplines Association (UK).

For more information visit www.hse.ie/go/drugshivhelpline or www.facebook.com/drugsalcoholandhivhelpline

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HSE Drugs & Alcohol Helpline This confidential service has both a freephone Helpline (1800 459 459) and an email support service ( helpline@hse.ie). The HSE Drugs & Alcohol Helpline provides support, information, guidance and referral to anyone with a question or concern related to drug and alcohol use and/or HIV and sexual health.

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Samaritans is a charity registered in England and Wales (219432) and in Scotland (SC040604) and incorporated in England and Wales as a company limited by guarantee (757372). Samaritans Ireland is a charity registered in the Republic of Ireland (20033668) and incorporated in the Republic of Ireland as a company limited by guarantee (450409).

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Young people's Health in mind

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A young person who attended Jigsaw

As a teenager I received the mental health support I needed. The work we did together has helped make me who I am today and I strongly believe that every young person should be able to access that kind of help.

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Visit Jigsaw.ie | The National Centre for Youth Mental Health

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We offer a listening ear, and give expert advice and support, online and in person, to young people across Ireland, aged 12 - 25 years-old.

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LGBT Ireland welcomes the published report into the lived experiences of LGBTI+ people living in International Protection accommodation. This report will support positive changes and the implementation of measures to ensure members of the LGBTI+ community in the...

read more

LGBT Ireland today released its Annual Report for 2022. 2022 was a very difficult year for the LGBTQI+ community both in Ireland and around the world. Rising levels of anti-LGBTQI+ hate crimes saw 2022 recorded as the most violent year for members of the LGBTQI+...

read more

Recruitment of Board Members for LGBT Ireland LGBT Ireland is a national charitable organisation providing support services to people who are lesbian, gay, bi, transgender, queer, or intersex (LGBTQI+) and their family members. The organisation was established in 2010...

read more

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LGBT Ireland Supporting, Educating and Connecting to enhance LGBT+ lives. We're here to support Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people.

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We're for Teenagers

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1. Colour code your timetable

Give each subject its own colour! Do several copies: one for the locker, the homework journal, your study area. Put in the name of your teacher and classroom the first time you put in a subject. It could look like this.

2. Become organised.

Use your homework journal for homework and to pack your bag for the next day. Write in the names of the subjects in for each day. It will save time when taking down homework in class. For your files/notes/books. Try having a weekly clear out and organisation of locker and work area. Use colour folders and covers/colour tabs for your copies. Use the same colour for the subjects as in your timetable.

For example, English could be red, Maths yellow, Geography pink etc. And of course, most importantly have your MOBILE switched OFF when doing homework.

3. Use SMART Goals!

SMART goals for your homework give you an exact idea of what to learn within a given time. It will help to keep you focussed. This is far more productive than reading over a chapter three times. Here is an example from History on the Reformation. At the end of 20 minutes I will know the following key facts and be able to test myself:

4. Moving from Short term to Long term

Rote learning (learning off-by-heart what you do not understand) is not recommended for students with dyslexia. It is better to learn with understanding or to see patterns. Use several senses rather than look over/read over notes to make the material your own. It is hard work but it helps. Use activities such talking, listening, debating, drawing, visualising, flashcards, lists of questions etc.

5. Know your learning style

Visual learners - prefer diagrams, colour, mindmaps, organisers

Verbal/auditory learners - like using highlighting, recording on MP3, talking and repeating information.

Movement, movement, saying, writing.

The website www.vark-learn.com has an on-line questionnaire that takes about ten minutes to complete and tells you your preferred learning style.

6. Note taking

If you cannot take good notes, can you get photocopies or use revision books. This will allow you listen in class and understand what is being taught. There are websites that can be helpful. See end of this article. Put page numbers, date, subject and topic at the top of each page. When summarising the summary should be less than a quarter of text. Use lots of space, numbering, bullet points, headings, sub-headings & colour. Graphic Organisers and Mindmaps help organise your thinking, help when learning/memorising material and then help in structuring written answers. There are some examples of graphic organisers below.

7. Memory techniques

Visualisation. Make up images in your mind to help you remember. Here is an example. The colours in the wires in the electric plug are blue, green/yellow, and brown. See the image of a Teddybear (brown for the live wire,) on green grass (green for the earth wire) and a blue sky (blue for the neutral).

Grouping. Don't try to memorise long lists of unrelated facts. Group them in blocks.

Mnemonics. Make up sentences or words that help you remember facts. Here are some examples.

8. Reading

Try to make time to read something everyday. It will develop reading stamina and speed. It is like training for a race. You cannot run a 5 K race immediately. You train for it over time. Active reading means asking yourself questions about the text before you start, then try to find the answers to those questions as you read. It will help keep your mind focussed. Then when you finish, check if you can now answer the questions.

See if a plastic colour overlay helps or use a ruler to keep your eyes focussed on the page. Maybe enlarged print (on computer or Kindle) may help. Digital copies of textbooks are available so you can read and hear the text at the same time. Factsheet 16 under downloads at www.dyslexiacourses.ie has details on how to access them. There is a scanning pen available now which reads aloud text as well as capturing text to file. See www.scanningpenshop.com.

Reading aloud or subvocalizing (saying the words quietly to yourself) can help you read more accurately particularly in exams.

9. Spelling and Vocabulary

Dictionary/notebook when reading will help develop vocabulary: Put a tab where each letter begins in the dictionary. Have an alphabet bookmark and choose a dictionary with large print. Collins Dictionaries have dictionaries where the alphabet is printed on each page.

Keep a vocabulary notebook for each subject

Develop mnemonics for spelling words you confuse

Become a word detective. Lots of longer words come from Latin and Greek. If you understand the meaning of some of these words, you will be able to understand new words you might come across. For example, if aqua = water, phobia = fear, hydro = water, bi = two, lateral = side, --cide = killing, you might be able to guess the meaning of the following:

10. Writing

Make up three characters in great detail such as how they look, clothes, hobbies, family, school, jobs, friends, opinions etc. Collect pictures from magazines etc. to illustrate your characters. It makes it easier to compose a short story if you have people already in your head. Use your five senses when writing a description of a scene.

When answering questions think of 3 points to support your answer, then 2 references /quotes to back up each point.Use the question to start your answer. So if you are asked What the key causes of climate change? begin your answer The key causes of climate change are.. Write and don't stop for spelling, check it afterwards otherwise it will interrupt your thinking.

Have checklists of points to prompt you to write more. For example when writing about a person in history, think about clothes, food, farming, houses, rulers, religion, schools, beliefs, death. Templates which show how to structure an answer help with planning. Examples are available with Inspiration Software. Here is an example.

Article provided by Wyn McCormack of Dyslexia Courses.ie

Comments

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Ten Study Tips for Junior Certificate Students with Dyslexia

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Give each subject its own colour! Do several copies: one for the locker, the homework journal, your study area. Put in the name of your teacher and classroom the first time you put in a subject. It could look like this. Use your homework journal for homework and to pack your bag for the next day.