A warm welcome to our Hotspur Thrive page
This page will be updated weekly with ways you can stay connected and embrace the Thrive Approach at home.
Resources from the previous closure period in 2020 can all be found underneath. These are still useful ideas to help all of our families as we find ourselves learning away from school. When we are in school and all our children are taking part in Thrive activities, repetition of positive relational experiences is the key to success, so if you tried an idea last time and enjoyed it - enjoy it together again.
I will update this page weekly with some new ideas too.
Mrs Leanne Pearson
Activities for Children and their Grown Ups
- January 2021
2020 Resources
Weekly Thrive Activities
Here are some activities for families to stay connected. There are ideas for Key Stage 2 children and for Early Years/Key Stage 1. If you download the documents you can access links to online videos and web pages to support some of the activities.
Week 16
Week 15
Week 14
Week 13
Week 12
Week 11
Week 10
Week 9
Week 8
Week 7
Week 6
Week 5
Easter Week 2
Easter may feel very different this year while we are all keeping safe at home with our families. All the teachers at Hotspur are thinking of you all and wish you a Happy Easter. Watch movies and play games and try our some of the activities below to have fun together.
Warmest wishes,
Mrs Pearson
Looking for an Easter egg hunt alternative? Try the Thrive colour hunt!
Explore your home, yard or garden to see how many of the Thrive colours you can find, then use the boxes to draw, glue or write what you discover.
Easter Week 1
Week 2
Week 1
2020 Resources
Helpful Videos
Time to Breathe with Mrs Pearson
A very important element of the Thrive Approach is using the breath to regulate and calm both brain and body. Here are some ideas for different breathing techniques that both adults and children may find useful in times of dysregulation.
Bunny breaths are great to help you focus and calm. I find bunny breaths really helpful if there have been tears that are ready to stop but keep coming back. Bunny ears are optional!
Lion breaths are a favourite with the children at Hotspur. Lion’s Breath not only stretches the muscles in your face, but it also relieves tension and tightness while improving circulation. It’s an energetic and awakening breath that will also help to ease the mind and often creates giggling afterwards. We sometimes call it the 'cheery lion' as it really helps to cheer you up.
Bumblebee breath is great for when you are feeling cross and maybe like there is a volcano inside your tummy, you might be hot and perhaps your heart is racing as fast as lightening. Give this breath a go!
Top fact: It involves an extended exhale which is especially effective at calming the parasympathetic nervous system. Just what you need if you are feeling angry or frustrated.
Rainbow breath is another brilliant breath to help you feel calm. We use this one often in school. Have a go at following along with the video.
Playmobil
In this fun video short ROBert explains Coronavirus. This may be useful for parents and carers who would like guidance on how to talk about the virus in a child friendly way. You may even be inspired to make your own lego or playmobil video after watching it - this can be a great way of expressing any fears, worries or anger at how everyday life has changed.
The Stay Home Superheroes
A useful therapeutic story to share with children to explore school closures and staying inside.
A few little reminders for our Parents and Carers
Useful Websites
- Thrive have created a Facebook page ' The Thrive Approach - supporting the community to weather the storm' Take a look as people from all over the world are posting useful activities each day.
A free 'Stay Calm' pack is available to download from Relax Kids.
-
https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/calm-zone
There are lots of way to feel calmer. It's about finding what works for you. Try some of the breathing exercises, activities, games and videos to help let go of worries.
- https://www.smilingmind.com.au/covid19-support-page
How mindfulness can help support children and families.
-
https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/self-care
Ideas for self care - aimed at children but would help to calm and regulate their grown-ups too.