The 'Smile' project for young children - information for parents and carers

What is the 'Smile' project for young children?

The 'Smile' project for young children and early years settings is based around the '5 ways to wellbeing', which are 5 steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing. The project is being developed by the Public Health and School Travel teams.

We have translated the '5 ways to wellbeing' into more child-friendly ideas which parents, carers and children can use and enjoy together. The idea is that families can practise the '5 ways to wellbeing' together on their everyday journeys, when out and about, or while at home.

The '5 ways to wellbeing' for adults has become 'Ways to help you smile' for young children and their families.

'Ways to help you smile'

The ‘Ways to help you smile’ are 6 proven ways to increase wellbeing for you and your child. The ‘Ways to help you smile’ are:

  1. Speak and sign 
  2. Move
  3. Imagine and play
  4. Learn
  5. Enjoy
  6. Help someone else smile

The Smile PSHE project in schools 2021

In spring and summer 2021, nearly 30 schools across the city are using a set of PSHE lessons (Personal, Social, Health and Economic education) with their infant classes. Each lesson ends by encouraging the children to take the ideas they have learnt on to their journey home. 

Children at the participating schools will take home resources which you can read and use together as a family, or the resources can be downloaded by anyone from the links below. 

 

How can I practise the 'Ways to help you smile' with my child/children?

  • Read 'The Smile Book' together. The characters in the book practise the '5 ways to wellbeing' on their everyday journeys, while they are walking, scooting, cycling, travelling by bus or ‘park & striding’
  • Use the '6 ways to you smile' parent and carer ideas booklet' to help you with ideas to practise 'Smile' with your child - while on everyday journeys, while out and about, or even at home
  • •    Use the set of Smile ‘cards that your child brings home from school. Take these cards with you when you are out and about, and use the ideas on the cards together. These cards are not available for downloading
  • Play the 'Smile dice game' before your journeys, when out and about or at home 

You and your child/children can then practise the '5 ways to wellbeing' on your own everyday journeys, in particular on your own journeys to and from school, whatever way you travel.  

You and your child will also have your own ideas for other ‘Ways to help you smile’!

For more information

For more information, please send an email to transport.projects@brighton-hove.gov.uk.