My Brilliant Brain: A Storybook and Guide for Understanding Anxiety and Implementing Self-Calming

This brilliant resource set which includes a storybook and adult resource guide is designed to give children strategies to use but also to pre-empt feeling of worry and anxiety. It teaches both children and the adults that look after them about what anxiety is, where it comes from, why it happens and, most importantly, that it happens to everyone, that it is ok and that a lot of the time we can manage it. There are many reasons why children and young people may become anxious at school or at home. If that anxiety is preventing a child from accessing learning or doing the things they want or need to do then it is important that the child is helped to manage and overcome those often paralysing feelings. Giving children the understanding and the strategies to manage anxiety and to self-calm is to give them a crucial skill set. The children’s book introduces Myg the Amygdala– giving children usable knowledge to help them understand just what happens when they feel anxious. The adult resource gives a similar understanding to adults, explaining how anxiety can affect learning and socialisation. This is combined with clear guidance on approaches to support children and discussions, activities and experiential learning for individual children, groups or classes.Suitable for teachers, support staff, therapists and parents this is an invaluable book and resource that will enhance the development of emotional health, resilience and wellbeing.

"Aimed at upper primary and lower secondary aged children, Myg and Me enables positive conversations about anxiety. Split into six easy to follow sessions which work well one-to-one or in small groups, this beautifully illustrated resource offers activities that are explained clearly and simply without compromising on facts, giving useful suggestions to help children manage their own anxiety. I recommend Myg and me as a practical, engaging, and clear resource to anyone who wants to support children to develop an understanding of their emotions and how to manage them."Heather Rowlands, Peacemakers

Liz Bates is an independent education consultant. She supports both primary and secondary schools in all aspects of Emotional Health and Wellbeing, and Safeguarding, including whole school approaches, training staff and delivering talks to parents. Liz is a Protective Behaviours Trainer, a Wellbeing Award Advisor for Optimus and a Schools Engagement Trainer for The Anna Freud Centre.