Teaching Kids to be Happy is a factual radio programme produced by Kit Murray and Mark Mullen. This radio factual feature is designed to highlight mental well-being within primary education in Lincolnshire. We aim to shine a positive light on the impacts of the practices related to mental well-being and social skills in schools, specifically within Lincolnshire. Essentially, our idea is to produce a feature that consists of a varied cast of interviewees i.e.. teachers (and in-training), a psychology expert, a Yoga instructor for children and the main contributors, and what we consider the heart of our piece, the pupils at Nettleham C of E Junior School.
It is easy to focus on the negative in things and we want to highlight the positive impact of teaching children how to be calm, attentive, and happy in schools. During the output, listeners will hear contrasting opinions from people involved in this sector, as well as professional opinions from yoga instructor Sue Rook and even a principal lecturer from our own University of Lincoln in health and social care, Dr. Paul Linsley.
We thought this piece is incredibly relevant today, not only in UK but worldwide. Although we have an emphasis in Lincolnshire, we know that these issues pertain to many countries and issues consistently arise even today. With new programmes, such as SEAL, ran by the government impacting primary educational institutes across the UK, children today are exposed to a whole world of new techniques which are often subject to change, different learning practices, and even pupil and teacher relationships.
Young children are the soul of our project, as one day they too will be adults with jobs, families, and even more responsibility. Addressing mental health awareness at an early age, which certainly has a negative stigma in our society, is our prime objective. We tend to hide it behind closed doors, push it under the rug, or blame it on outside forces. This should not be the case. If we are able to teach these children how to effectively maintain a healthy well being, then throughout their life time they will be better prepared when obstacles arise that can challenge them.