S10 E1 Understanding Change – Helping Children Manage Big Feelings

Buy the teacher guide and pupil journal for this episode here - just £2

Subscribe for just #3 a month for ad free listening and bonus content 

Understanding Change – Helping Children Manage Big Feelings

Helping children understand change, manage mixed emotions, and build emotional resilience.

In this episode of Mindful Moments with Miss Harrison, children are introduced to an important life skill: understanding and managing change. Change can be exciting, but it can also feel confusing, uncomfortable, or even a little bit scary.

Through Ayaan’s story, children learn that it’s completely normal to experience mixed emotions when something changes—whether it’s starting a new school, moving home, or trying something new. By learning to name their feelings, children can begin to feel calmer, more confident, and better prepared for what comes next.

This episode supports children in recognising that change is a natural part of life—and that every change brings both challenges and opportunities for growth.

What children will learn in this episode:

• What change is and why it happens
• Why change can bring mixed emotions
• How to recognise and name feelings during times of change
• That feelings about change are normal and temporary

Emotional Skills from Miss Harrison:

• Name your feelings: Saying how you feel helps make emotions feel smaller and more manageable
• Accept mixed emotions: It’s okay to feel excited and nervous at the same time
• Reflect on change: Think about what you might miss and what you’re looking forward to
• Stay curious: Change brings new opportunities to learn and grow

These strategies help children build emotional awareness and resilience during transitions.

Mindful Moment Challenge:

This week, when something changes—big or small—pause and ask yourself, “What am I feeling right now?” Try naming your feelings out loud or writing them down. Notice how this helps you feel calmer and more in control.

Perfect for:

• Primary school-aged children experiencing change or transition
• Classrooms exploring PSHE, SEL, or emotional wellbeing
• Families supporting children through moves, new schools, or life changes
• Teachers and pastoral leads helping children manage transitions

Quote of the Week:

“Change can feel tricky—but it also helps us grow.”

#MindfulMoments #UnderstandingChange #EmotionalResilience #ChildrensMentalHealth #ManagingChange #PrimaryPSHE #SocialEmotionalLearning #MindfulnessForChildren #TransitionsInSchool #WellbeingInSchools #EmotionalLiteracy #GrowthThroughChange

Transcript

Change is when something becomes different from how it was before. It might be starting a new school or class, moving to a new home, meeting new people, or even just trying something for the first time. Change can be big or small, planned or unexpected. And while change helps us grow, it can sometimes feel uncomfortable or even scary. So let's hear a story about someone who faced a big change and some big feelings too. Ayaan had lived on the same street gone to the same school and played with the same friends for as long as he could remember. 

But one day his parents told him they were moving to a new city. Ayaan would be starting a new school and living in a brand new house. At first he felt excited. A new bedroom, a new playground. But then he started to feel nervous. What if I don't make any new friends? 

What if I miss my old home? His tummy felt wobbly and his thoughts started spinning. That night Ayaan told his mum, I feel all confused, and she gave him a big hug and said, that's completely normal. Change is a big feeling. Over time, Ayaan learned to name his feelings, and that helped him feel calmer and braver. What do you think Ayaan learned about change? 

Just like Ayaan, we all feel mixed up during times of change, and that's okay. Here's why change can feel a little tricky. Our brains like patterns. When we know what to expect, we feel safe. Change interrupts that pattern. Feelings get stirred up. 

We might feel excited and worried at the same time. Letting go feels sad sometimes. Even good changes can make us miss the way things used to be. The most important thing to remember is feelings about change are normal and they won't last forever. Can you think of a time when a change felt a little scary or strange at first? Let's create a change feelings map in our minds. 

Think of a change that has happened to you or maybe one that's coming up soon. What's one feeling you had or think you might feel? Excited? Nervous? Curious perhaps? 

Good. 

Now what's something you might miss about the old way? And finally what's something you're looking forward to in the new situation? By naming your feelings you give them space and that helps them feel less overwhelming. You've done such a thoughtful job today learning about why change can feel hard. Remember Change is a part of life and it brings both challenges and new opportunities. It's normal to feel a mix of emotions when things are different and naming your feelings can help you feel calm and ready for whatever comes next. 

Here's your mindful moment challenge for the week. When something changes, big or small, pause and ask yourself, what am I feeling right now? Try naming your feelings out loud or writing them down. Next time on Mindful Moments with Miss Harrison, we'll talk about saying goodbye, how to handle the feelings that come when something ends or we have to let go. I can't wait to see you then. 

Thank you for joining me today. Keep noticing your feelings, keep growing through change, and as always, keep shining.