We were delighted recently to have the Mini Mind project publicised on the University of Sunderland’s news page! The post is re-published below.
A global perspective for Mini Minds
Teachers from across the region joined colleagues from the School of Education at Wearside View to explore pedagogical approaches to support children in developing positive mindsets. Teachers from Barnes Park Infants, Newbottle Primary Academy, West Park Academy, and Coxhoe Primary School attended a workshop led by Global Spirit Ed, an organisation which empowers schools to nurture positive and supportive environments.
The workshop is the first stage in a collaborative project between the School of Education and Global Spirit Ed, supported by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding.
Director of Global Spirit Ed, Kevin Holland, who led the workshop, told us: “The aim of the Mini Mind programme is to empower children to take responsibility for their actions and choices, provide a greater understanding of how their mind works, and consider the relationships around them.”
The day began with a personal reflection on the behaviours, attitudes, and beliefs that we hold in relation to what we are capable of, how we set and frame our goals and aspirations, and how we go about achieving them. This is the MindSpan thinking cycle for raising awareness of our thoughts and emotions to understand how they are connected to our behaviours and outcomes. Participants were then supported to work with the resources and to begin planning how they will take this approach into their schools.
Research and Knowledge Exchange Fellow, Dr. Elizabeth Hidson, and Research Mentor for teacher education, Dr. Kate Duffy, will be supporting teachers to identify how they plan to embed the Mini Mind programme in their schools. This is the first of many projects that Elizabeth and Kate are involved in as part of their Knowledge Exchange InterAction Research Unit. The unit engages in evidence-informed practice, encourages practitioner inquiry, and enables research culture.
Dr. Elizabeth Hidson said: “Following the pandemic, we recognise that cognitive, social, and emotional resources must now find their place alongside more traditional learning. As a result of this, our practitioner researchers are interested in trialling an established positive psychology scheme of work for primary age pupils. As a group, we are keen to tailor it to the needs of each school and embrace the potential to reflect on and learn from the experience.”
- University of Sunderland InterAction Unit: https://wp.sunderland.ac.uk/interaction/
- Global Spirit Ed CIC: https://globalspirited.com/
- MiniMind Programme for Key Stage 1&2 children: https://mind-span.co.uk/mini-mind/
