It is a perfect story for children who are feeling anxious or for when you want to discuss strategies about what to do when we have a worry, as we all do at some point. My own children have loved this book, especially with the uncertainty of COVID-19. My youngest (aged 6) asked me to read it over and over again. We are passionate about taking the curriculum outdoors. That’s why we have created the first ever whole school training, Taking the Curriculum Outdoors: A Whole School Approach. Build on discussions about feelings – what makes us happy, sad, angry, worried? Some children might be worried about Coronavirus and what is happening just now.

The children can even decide to tear it up and use it alongside this Throw Your Worries Away activity. How can I help my child to talk about their emotions? It tells the story of a little girl who carries around a huge bag filled with worries. (‘The metaphor is little monsters). Now ask the children to start composing the message and think about how they would like to send this – there are lots of different choices. They could design a card, record a message, draw a picture, record themselves singing a song at home or even play a piece of music. This would be a good opportunity to involve the whole family – record the message and send it to the chosen recipient. Schools: Schools play an important role in your life. There are school-based counsellors to help you with issues like bullying and depression. The Huge Bag of Worries is one of my favourite books. It is amazing for helping your child with their fears and worries.

You can also help your children to relieve anxiety and stress with this Homemade Stress Ball activity.

Elmer the elephant is bright-colored patchwork all over. No wonder the other elephants laugh at him! if the children are happy to share the worries from the bag let them do so and discuss the strategies they could use to deal with the worry. This can be done in role play with advice from the other elves/fairies. Beyond the UNCRC, the Welsh Government has implemented “Together for Mental Health,” a Cross-Government Strategy setting out goals for improving mental health and mental health services in Wales. This Strategy covers all ages; children and young people, adults of working age and older people. Sporting Activities: Exercise can have an important role in mental wellbeing. Getting involved in the habit of exercise will help you to be healthy. The Welsh Government will be implementing more play areas, cycle paths, places to go walking, safe streets and green open spaces.A fantastic book that opens discussions about worries and leads to some fun outdoor activities. It also enables you to think about strategies to deal with your worries such as developing your network and who could help you feel safe. *New Online Training* Taking the Curriculum Outdoors: A Whole School Approach

Wherever Jenny goes, her worries follow her - in a big blue bag. They are with her all the time - at school, at home, when she is watching TV and even in the bathroom! Jenny decides they have to go, but who will help her get rid of them?

Encourage the children, with an adult, to make their own bubbles. A recipe can be found here with good instructions on how to make a bubble wand - https://wredtedart.com/bubble-recipe/?cn-reloaded=1 There could have been more information about some of the worries that the other characters have, it is helpful to see that for example Mum and Dad also have worries but this could have been talked about more. There are lots of worries in the bag but none are talked about in too much detail, it would have been good to maybe name and explore some in a bit more detail at the end to help with sorting them into groups. The Huge Bag of Worries by Virginia Ironside tells the story of Jenny, a happy girl with a lovely mum and dad, a great brother, a dog named Loftus, best friends and a wonderful teacher at school. But just lately, Jenny has started worrying. Article 13, which states that all children have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to speak, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child’s choice;