This resource is a mental health Unit, comprised of 10 lessons, aimed at children around age 8, in alignment with New Zealand education curriculum standards. The unit/lessons are based on the ‘Handbook for mental health’, with each lesson corresponding to a chapter of the handbook. It is recommended that the educator familiarise themselves with handbook before facilitating these lessons so they have a good understanding of the topic. As a whole, the unit is a comprehensive resource for developing the kinds of skills and perspectives necessary for cultivating and maintaining mental health. This being said, the educator is encouraged to curate their own mental health unit, selecting and modifying (as necessary) lessons to create a mental health unit that best suits their learners. Please click on each of the lessons below to open up their respective lesson plans.

Lesson 1: Achieving Goals with “The Way and The Will”

Lesson 2: “Know Thyself” – Understanding Our Bodies, Emotions, and Choices

Lesson 3: “Be a Wisdom Detective! Solving the Quality Crisis”

Lesson 4: Discovering Universal Rules in Nature and Our Lives

Lesson 5: Balancing Our “Inputs” and “Outputs” for a Healthy Mind & Body

Lesson 6: Understanding Our “Inner Driver” (Will) for Positive Choices

Lesson 7: Discovering Our Purpose – our guide like the Matariki Stars

Lesson 8: Mindfulness & Meditation – Growing Our “Focus Power”

Lesson 9: Navigating Emotions with Aroha (Love) and Whanaungatanga (Relationships)

Lesson 10: Growing Our Garden of Self (Observe, Analyse, Action)