Thriving through Play: A Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Classroom Approach for Educators in Crisis-Affected Settings

The training provides educators with the knowledge, skills and motivation to support their students’ mental health and wellbeing using play-based strategies. It is based on four guiding principles: (1) wellbeing at the centre; (2) practical; (3) conflict sensitive; and (4) play-based and provides practical tools and activities for teachers to promote student wellbeing, respond to distress, and nurture their own wellbeing. Play-based strategies guide the entire training, including opportunities to draw, play and co-create. With this training guide, we hope to provide teachers in conflict settings across the world with the knowledge and skills to support students’ mental health and wellbeing in the classroom, using conflict sensitive learning approaches and learning through play.