Mental health experts have come up with a top ten list of songs to help motivate pupils as they return to the classroom this week.
Experts from the Freedom Foundation say music can create calmness that makes children feel safe and secure which, in turn, can lead to them interacting and participating more.
The songs are divided into three groups: for motivation on a Monday morning, for midweek motivation and for motivation at the end of the week, as follows:
´հ:Teachers get ‘reality check’ on returning pupils
Cost of Covid: Teachers’ grim figures on learning loss
Covid catch-up plan: Summer schools and more tutoring
For motivation on a Monday morning
1.Shineby Emili Sande
2.Move on Upby Curtis Mayfield
3.High Hopesby Panic! at the Disco
For midweek motivation
4.Smileby Jungle
5.Happyby Pharrell Williams
6.Dog Days Are Overby Florence and the Machine
7.Giantsby Dermot Kennedy
For motivation at the end of the week
8.Fridayby Riton & Nightcrawlers
9.Strongerby Sam Feldt (featuring Ke$ha)
10. I Feel Goodby James Brown
The Freedom Foundation is a social enterprise that delivers dance, singing and song-writing programmes in schools to improve mental health and wellbeing. The list of songs form part of a series of tips on how teachers can use music and dance to help children with the transition back into school after lockdown.
Freedom Foundation director Laura Grant said: “We began working digitally and in person with students after the end of the first lockdown. Across the board, we saw a massive decrease in motivation - not just for schoolwork, but for everything - and a big increase in anxiety.
“What’s vital now is that we allow our children to be children, we give them the freedom and independence they’ve missed over the last year and we help them work through the anxieties and the struggle they’ve faced emotionally as a result.”
