Why a holistic education in childhood must include wellbeing

Reading, writing and arithmetic—the 3R's of a child's education. The learning and development of these skills is well embedded in school curriculums, and they're an integral part of academic success.

But primary school teacher, Cass Furst, says there's a whole new set of skills children need and deserve to be learning in the classroom to set them up for a successful and fulfilling life.

Navigating our fast-paced and complex world can be challenging, especially for kids who are still developing crucial social and emotional skills and resilience. The rates of mental ill-health among children are rising; social anxiety has increased by 45% among children 6 to 12, and peer relationship difficulties are up 39% for this cohort (Australian Psychological Society, 2022).

Cass says, "Since the pandemic, the incidence of anxiety in the classrooms I’ve worked in has skyrocketed. There are more support staff in classrooms than ever before and it’s almost at the point now where I’m informed of who doesn’t struggle with mental health, rather than those who do."

In her article for Smiling Mind, Cass shares the experiences that have made her so passionate about incorporating social and emotional learning into the school curriculum, and her tips for boosting positive mental wellbeing in the classroom.