Wellbeing Day Activities

This wellbeing day plan is designed for Year 5 and Year 6 students in Australian schools. It includes six engaging, age-appropriate activities aligned with the Australian Curriculum. Each activity runs for 45 minutes, with students rotating through stations throughout the day. These activities are designed to foster personal and social capabilities, as well as the health and physical education curriculum, promoting mindfulness, resilience, and collaboration.

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Activity 1: Mindfulness Through Art

Curriculum Focus: Personal and Social Capability (Self-awareness), The Arts (Visual Arts)

Objective

Students create art to express emotions, promote mindfulness, and enhance self-awareness.

Materials Required

• Coloured pencils, crayons, and markers
• Large sheets of paper
• Relaxing instrumental music (optional)

Instructions

1. Introduce students to a simple breathing activity for mindfulness (2 minutes).
2. Present the task: draw their "favourite place" that makes them feel calm and safe. This could be real (like the beach) or imagined (like a magical forest).
3. Encourage students to use patterns, colours, and symbols to express how that place makes them feel (25 minutes).
4. Pair students to share their drawings and explain the emotions they associate with their creation (10 minutes).
5. Collect artwork to create an inspiring display in the classroom or hall.

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Activity 2: Gratitude Wall

Curriculum Focus: Health and Physical Education (ACPPS037 – Practising gratitude and recognising positive behaviours).

Objective

Students practise gratitude by identifying and sharing positive aspects of their lives.

Materials Required

• Sticky notes or small pieces of coloured paper
• Markers or pens
• A large display space, like a whiteboard or a roll of butcher's paper labelled “Our Gratitude Wall”

Instructions

1. Discuss the concept of gratitude with students, giving examples (5 minutes).
2. Ask each student to write or draw one thing they are grateful for on a sticky note (10 minutes).
3. Students take turns placing their notes on the Gratitude Wall, reading theirs aloud as they do.
4. Once all notes are on the wall, discuss common themes that emerge and how gratitude can enhance wellbeing (10 minutes).
5. Leave the wall up for reflection throughout the week.

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Activity 3: Collaborative Problem Solving

Curriculum Focus: Personal and Social Capability (Collaboration), Critical and Creative Thinking

Objective

Develop teamwork and critical thinking skills by solving a relatable real-world scenario.

Materials Required

• Scenario cards (printed)
• Whiteboard or paper for brainstorming

Instructions

1. Divide students into groups of 6-8 and assign each group a scenario (e.g., "Plan an outdoor family day with a $50 budget," or "Design a playground that everyone can enjoy.") (5 minutes).
2. Groups collaborate to brainstorm and create a practical or creative solution (25 minutes).
3. Each group briefly presents their ideas to the class, explaining their decision-making process (15 minutes).

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Activity 4: Outdoor Nature Walk and Reflection

Curriculum Focus: Science (ACSHE083 – Observing natural environments), Health and Physical Education (ACPPS039 – Practising self-awareness)

Objective

Encourage connection to nature and mindfulness through observation and reflection.

Materials Required

• Journals or notebooks
• Pencils or pens

Instructions

1. Lead students on a structured nature walk around the school grounds or a nearby safe area (20 minutes). Ask them to focus on their senses: What can they see, hear, smell, or feel?
2. Stop at a quiet spot and have students close their eyes, take a few deep breaths, and focus on the environment around them (2 minutes).
3. After returning, students write a journal entry or a poem reflecting on their experience and the emotions it invoked (15 minutes).
4. Volunteers can share their reflections with the group, highlighting how connecting with nature supports their wellbeing (8 minutes).

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Activity 5: Yoga and Movement

Curriculum Focus: Health and Physical Education (ACPMP064 – Improvement of movement skills, mindfulness through physical activity)

Objective

Enhance physical and mental health through a combination of stretching, balance, and relaxation exercises.

Materials Required

• Yoga mats (or clean area to sit/stretch on)
• An open indoor or outdoor space

Instructions

1. Guide students through a short series of basic yoga poses (downward dog, tree pose), focusing on balance, breathing, and posture (15 minutes).
2. Incorporate some fun, balance-focused challenges, like "flamingo freeze tag," where students must freeze in a balancing pose (15 minutes).
3. End with a guided relaxation or short meditation, encouraging slow, deep breathing and calm thoughts (15 minutes).

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Activity 6: Acts of Kindness Workshop

Curriculum Focus: Personal and Social Capability (Social Management), Civics and Citizenship

Objective

Students brainstorm and plan small acts of kindness they can complete at school or at home.

Materials Required

• Paper slips labelled “Kindness Coupons”
• Pens or pencils

Instructions

1. Discuss the ripple effect of kindness and how small actions can impact others positively (5 minutes).
2. Hand out pre-labelled “Kindness Coupons” and ask students to write a kind action they plan to complete that week (e.g., "Help someone with their homework," or "Pick up litter in the playground.") (15 minutes).
3. Encourage students to pair up and discuss their coupons with a classmate (10 minutes).
4. Collect all coupons and display them anonymously on a kindness tree or board at the school, tracking progress on completing the actions.

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Wrap-Up: Reflection Circle

At the end of the day, gather students together in a circle for a brief reflection on the activities they enjoyed most and how the day has helped foster their personal wellbeing. Incorporate student suggestions for future wellbeing activities to ensure they feel heard and valued.

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These activities prioritise empathy, mindfulness, creative thinking, and teamwork while aligning with the Australian Curriculum. They offer students the tools for social-emotional growth and inspire them to apply health and wellbeing principles in their everyday lives.