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The link between mental wellbeing and overall health has received increasing attention over the last decade. We often consider the impact on adults, but starting good physical habits as well as building resilience is essential from an early age. So why not include this as part of the core curriculum in schools?
 
One school's group has decided to make wellness a priority, and Stamford American School Hong Kong, part of Cognita’s family of 77 schools operating in 8 countries, celebrated their first Cognita Global “Be Well Day” on September 27th. About 40 student activities and parent sessions were organized at this first “Be Well Day”, promoting the message of wellbeing through a variety of ways such as mindfulness and gratitude practices, understanding emotions and how our brain works, learning about nutrition, dances and physical exercises.

Although this event will take place only once a year, the day was a celebration of the year-round efforts of all the schools in the group to not only educate children academically but take a holistic approach to education where wellbeing plays a central role.  It also provided an opportunity for schools in the group to share ideas and leverage best-practices that will continue to be implemented year-round.

Students and parents alike enjoyed and appreciated the refreshing focus beyond academics, and African drumming activity was a crowd favorite among older students.

“I think it’s important to learn how to be well, because by taking care of your own wellbeing, you can interact with other people better. My favorite session was the African drumming, it made you become more aware of your surroundings through the vibrations,” shared Nicholas Overbaugh, a Grade 5 student of the school.

The “Be Well Day” was a community event for the school, and families were invited in to learn about digital wellbeing and the importance of physical activities from our specialists, and to work out at a boot camp.  Some parents even volunteered to lead wellbeing sessions for students such as Bollywood dance and fitness class.

Wellbeing isn't something new to Stamford American School Hong Kong, which opened its doors in 2017. Under the leadership of Head of School Karrie Dietz, the school has strived to create a caring community for all students, staff and families. Part of the culture of care begins with providing students resources to support their wellbeing, and this includes three full-time counselors and two nurses onsite, which students can easily access throughout the school day. The counselor's guidance helps students navigate a variety of challenges that impact their wellbeing from managing emotions, time management and making friends. Their efforts are supported by the Second Step program, a cornerstone of the Stamford curriculum which focuses on social-emotional skills. Second Step provides purposeful strategies for students to negotiate through a variety of real-life situations from stress management skills to the prevention of online bullying. This foundation in social-emotional skills helps prepare students for the challenges that they face both in and out of school.