Helping young minds blossom
Now this is the kind of revamp to kids’ education we have all been crying out for.
While focusing on how to teach teens about mental health and diversity, we seem to have created a huge blind spot – forgetting about preschoolers.
With 50% of mental health problems already established by age 14, it’s clear early intervention is vital so children can get to grips with emotional learning when they’re tiny tots.
This means, as they grow up, they are already well-versed with understanding their moods, what social inclusion looks like, and, crucially, how to ask for help if they need it.
So, please put your hands together for the incredible Think Equal.
This charity is on a crusade to rewrite history by equipping young people with awesome, age-appropriate wellness tools to become their best selves.
With a little help from some well-known pals, Think Equal have teamed up with Olivia Colman, Helen Mirren and Stephen Fry to spread the message far and wide.
Together, they are launching a new book series called EQlicious, in which the high-profile celebs will narrate a collection of animated stories for kids, aged three to six.
The initiative will also see an array of activities, games, song, and prompts for meaningful conversations gifted to families to help them introduce wellbeing into their living rooms.
Chatting about their goals, national treasure Mirren said that “empathy is the most important human emotion” and that these exercises will help our offspring develop more of it.
Meanwhile, Peep Show icon turned Hollywood star Colman said there are no quick fixes, so for truly impactful change, we need to play the long game.
Colman said: “We have to start early so that we can prevent discrimination and mental ill health and create peaceful societies with generations of happy, healthy and successful human beings.”
Think Equal are dedicated to tackling the current crisis, in which the Department of Health and Social Care spends £105billion a year on mental health disorders.
Founder Leslee Udwin, who has a background in filmmaking, explained: “We are calling for a systemic change. Studies show that the best time for pro-social foundations and co-creating positive neural pathways in the child’s developing brain, is before the age of six.”
Sounds like we could all benefit from their books, not just the little ones.
To get involved, just click here: EQlicious.
