Your Mind Matters! Assembly Script

Introduction & Hook (5 minutes)

(Slide 1: "Your Mind Matters! What's Up With Your Mood?")

Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! I am so happy to see all of your bright faces here today. Let's start with a quick thought: Have you ever woken up feeling super happy and excited, like it's going to be the best day ever, and then maybe on another day, you felt a little bit grumpy or worried?"

Teacher: "Show of hands if you've ever felt that way before! (Pause for hands). Absolutely! That's totally normal. Our feelings, our thoughts, our moods – they change all the time. Just like we talk about staying physically healthy by eating good food and playing outside, today we're going to talk about something just as important: our mental health."

What is Mental Health? (7 minutes)

(Slide 2: "What Is Mental Health?")

Teacher: "So, what exactly is mental health? It's all about how we think, how we feel, and how we act every single day. It's how we handle stress when there's a big test, how we get along with our friends, and how we make choices that are good for us."

Teacher: "Think of it like this: your body needs healthy food and exercise to be strong, right? Well, your brain, your mind, your feelings – they also need care to be strong and healthy! Everyone has mental health, from our youngest students to our oldest, and even all the grown-ups in this room. We all have good mental health days, and sometimes, we have not-so-good mental health days. And both are perfectly normal."

(Slide 3: "Why Does it Matter?")

Teacher: "Why does taking care of our mental health matter so much? When our minds are healthy, it's easier to learn new things, to have fun with our friends, to solve problems, and to feel really good about who we are. It helps us be the best you we can be!"

Boost Your Brain Power! (Strategies) (10 minutes)

(Slide 4: "Boost Your Brain Power! (Strategies)")

Teacher: "The great news is there are lots of simple things we can do every day to keep our minds healthy and happy. Let's call these our 'Brain Power Boosters'!"

• Teacher: "First up: Get Enough Sleep! Who loves to sleep in? (Pause for hands) When you sleep, your brain gets to rest and recharge, just like your phone. It helps you think clearly and feel less grumpy."

• Teacher: "Next: Eat Yummy & Healthy Food! Think of healthy food as super fuel for your brain and body. It gives you energy and helps you concentrate."

• Teacher: "How about Move Your Body! Who likes to run, jump, or play sports? (Pause for hands) When you exercise, it actually helps your brain release 'happy chemicals' that can make you feel better!"

• Teacher: "Another good one: Spend Time Outdoors! Getting sunshine and fresh air can make a huge difference in how we feel. Go play outside, take a walk, or just sit and enjoy nature."

• Teacher: "And this is a big one: Connect with People! Talk to your friends, spend time with your family, or chat with a teacher or another trusted adult. Sharing your day, laughing, or even just being around people you care about is great for your mental health."

• Teacher: "Also, Do Things You Love! What are your favorite hobbies? Drawing, reading, building, playing music? Making time for things that make you happy helps your mind feel good."

• Teacher: "Finally, and this is so important: Be Kind to Yourself! Everyone makes mistakes sometimes. Everyone has tough days. It's okay! Treat yourself with the same kindness you would show a good friend."

It's Okay to Ask for Help! (5 minutes)

(Slide 5: "It's Okay to Ask for Help!")

Teacher: "Now, sometimes, even when we use all these 'Brain Power Boosters,' our feelings can still get too big, or problems can feel too tricky to handle alone. And guess what? That's perfectly normal, too. The most important thing to remember is: It's a sign of strength to ask for help, not a weakness!"

Teacher: "Think about it: if you scraped your knee, you'd tell a grown-up, right? Mental health is the same. If your feelings are hurting, or you're feeling really worried or sad for a long time, it's super important to tell someone."

Teacher: "Who are some trusted adults you can talk to?" (Pause for student responses, guide them if needed: parents, guardians, teachers, school counselors, principals, coaches, etc.)

Teacher: "Exactly! We have lots of amazing grown-ups at home and right here at school who care about you and want to help. If you ever need someone to talk to, please know that your teachers, our school counselors, and administrators are here for you. You don't have to carry tough feelings alone."

Conclusion & Call to Action (3 minutes)

(Slide 6: "Remember: You Matter!")

Teacher: "So, to wrap up, let's remember a few super important things:

• Your mental health matters just as much as your physical health.
• You have awesome strategies to help you feel good every day.
• It's always okay to ask for help from a trusted adult if you need it.
• And most importantly, be kind to yourselves and be kind to your friends."

Teacher: "Let's take a quick mindful moment together before we finish. Everyone, find a comfortable seat, sit up tall, and let's take one big, slow, deep breath in through your nose (inhale), and let it out slowly through your mouth (exhale)."

Teacher: "Thank you all so much for being such great listeners today! We hope you take these ideas with you and remember how truly important your minds are. Have a wonderful rest of your day!"

Warm-Up: How Are You Feeling Today?

Instructions for Teacher:

1. Introduce: "Before we dive deeper, let's take a quick moment to check in with ourselves. How are you feeling right now?"
2. Explain Scale (Visual/Verbal): "I'm going to ask you to show me on a scale of 1 to 5 how you're feeling, without needing to say anything out loud.
   • 1 Finger: Feeling a bit tired, sleepy, or low energy.
   • 2 Fingers: Feeling okay, calm, or neutral.
   • 3 Fingers: Feeling pretty good, happy, or energetic.
   • 4 Fingers: Feeling great, excited, or enthusiastic!
   • 5 Fingers: Feeling absolutely amazing, fantastic, or super energized!"
3. Demonstrate: "I'll show you an example. If I'm feeling calm, I might show 2 fingers like this." (Demonstrate quietly).
4. Ask for Response: "On the count of three, quietly show me with your fingers how you're feeling right now. Ready? One... two... three!"
5. Observe & Acknowledge (Briefly): Quickly scan the room. "Thank you for sharing. It's interesting to see all the different ways we're feeling today, and that's perfectly normal! Our feelings change throughout the day, and it's good to notice them."

Note to Teacher: This is a quick, non-verbal check-in to help students tune into their emotions and for the teacher to get a general sense of the room's energy without singling anyone out.

Cool Down: Mindful Moment

Instructions for Teacher (to be read to students):

"Great job today, everyone! To end our time together, we're going to practice a quick 'Mindful Moment.' This is a way to help our brains feel calm and focused after learning so much.

1. Find a comfortable position. You can sit up tall in your seat, or if you're on the floor, just make sure you're comfortable.
2. Gently close your eyes if you feel comfortable, or you can just look softly at the floor in front of you.
3. Now, bring all your attention to your breath. Feel the air coming in through your nose... and feel it leaving your mouth.
4. Let's take three slow, deep breaths together.
   • Breathe in slowly through your nose... (pause) ...and breathe out slowly through your mouth.
   • Breathe in again, filling your belly like a balloon... (pause) ...and breathe out, letting all the air go.
   • One more time, breathe in peace... (pause) ...and breathe out any wiggles or worries.
5. Notice how your body feels. Notice how your mind feels. It's okay if your thoughts wandered; just gently bring them back to your breath.
6. When you're ready, slowly open your eyes."

Teacher: "How do you feel after that quick mindful moment? Even just a few deep breaths can help us feel a little calmer and more ready for the rest of our day. Remember this trick for any time you need it!"