We Eat Elephants (WEE)
As part of our whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing, the Healthy Minds Team deliver the “We Eat Elephants” programme. This programme runs for one session per week across five-six weeks. “We Eat Elephants” is based on principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and is an evidence-based intervention. The purpose of the programme is to support children to understand the difference and connection between thoughts, feelings, physical sensations in their body and their behaviour.
Within these sessions, children will be introduced to four characters who are experiencing life changes such as starting a new school and making new friends.
Children will be encouraged to spot ‘red/unhelpful thoughts’ and to support the character to change them into ‘green/helpful thoughts’ to help them to feel better. Children will also be introduced to breathing strategies and grounding techniques to support with emotional regulation, as well as being introduced to problem-solving via a step-by-step approach.
Ways you can support at home: Parents/carers can support children in practising the strategies at home such as recognising helpful (I can try my best) and unhelpful thoughts (I can’t do it; it is too hard) and breathing strategies e.g. five finger breathing and box breathing.
