School Survey - Student, Parent, & teacher feedback
“Laura Dowdall’s workshops were a central element in our recent, highly-successful ‘Wellbeing Week’.
Laura’s gift of effective communication, pupil-motivation and enjoyable presentation ensured a positive response from teachers and pupils.
Feedback indicated that many relaxing techniques were learned, which will help us all become more in tune with our bodies and deal with stress.
With the current national focus on wellbeing and the importance of teaching positive mental health strategies to children, these workshops are a timely and valuable resource to any school.”
– Deputy Principal, Holy Trinity National School: Brianóg Brady Dawson
Feedback from Teachers and Parents on Student Workshops and Parent Talks:
“Laura came to our school as part of Well-being week at the end of
January. She ran workshops for all the classes and was able to pitch it perfectly to their ages and abilities. The children really enjoyed it and learnt relaxing breathing techniques, ways to release stress and anxiety, ways to encourage self-esteem and a positive outlook. All the teachers were very impressed with Laura as well.
Laura also ran a Parents Wellness workshop in the evening. She talked through ways to support parents’ own well-being and mental health, how to support and communicate with their child through practical tips. All left feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. I could not recommend Laura highly enough. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience and a deep passion for supporting peoples’ well-being no matter the age.”
– Gillian Asple, teacher + School Wellbeing co-ordinator
“Students most certainly appeared rejuvenated after the workshop. There most certainly was a calmness for the rest of the day. I will most definitely bring in many more movement breaks into class time. I would definitely recommend Creative Wellbeing as it is a wonderful way to motivate students and teachers to bring wellbeing into the classroom.”
– 1st class Teacher
“Students seemed a lot calmer and happy at the end of the session, they were all very enthusiastic. They seemed very focused the following morning after the wellbeing workshop. I would definitely recommend this workshop! It’s important for children to have strategies to express their feelings and cope with anxiety. Parents should be aware of these too.”
– 2nd class Teacher
“I thoroughly enjoyed the class for the teachers and the workshop for parents. All the content was so useful and relevant and has inspired me to make sure I do more. Thank you so much!”
– 2nd class Teacher
“Students felt a lot calmer and seemed a lot brighter in their expressions afterwards. They seemed settled and relaxed. I felt a good energy from them for the rest of the day. I would recommend this workshop, I loved the techniques and will use them for helping children with worries or bad feelings.”
– 3rd class Teacher
“They were really calm and relaxed after the session. They were focused and ready to learn!”
– 5th class Teacher
“The children were much calmer afterwards. I’d highly recommend this programme of student workshops and the teachers workshop. The teachers workshop was really useful and gave lots of helpful activities for the classroom. Thanks you!”
– 1st class Teacher
“The class was very calm afterwards. There were lots of nice ideas I will adapt. I would recommend this as it is necessary for all children for concentration and to control anxious feelings.”
– Junior infants Teacher
“The children were much calmer afterwards. I will do the meditation after lunch to calm the children. I would recommend this programme to schools and parents, it is very insightful and relaxing. It allows parents to get the children to share their thoughts and not to be stressed.”
– Parent and Teacher of 2nd class
Feedback from Teachers, SNAs and Parents on Creative Wellbeing 6 week Training programme:
“The Creative Wellbeing course exceeded my expectations! The breadth, depth and gentleness of the exercises made them easy to translate into every day teaching with all ages and capabilities! Laura also incorporated lots of self- care practices along the way….something very much appreciated!”
–Michelle, Primary School Teacher
“I attended Laura’s Creative Wellbeing Workshop. It was aimed at teachers and parents who wished to learn techniques to enhance their ability to support the creative development and wellbeing of children. It is a super programme with lots of useful information on how to enhance children’s well-being through helping them communicate with an emphasis on movement, learn self-soothing and wellbeing practices, enjoy fun and inspirational games to promote wellbeing, release anxiety and be fully in the present moment. The programme is very practical with a deep dive into the science behind each of the practices and instant application in class to help integrate understanding of the practice fully. For anyone working in a supportive role with children, particularly during the pandemic, this essential programme offers practical guidance on how to support children and on how to equip them with the tools needed to thrive in these uncertain times.”
– Grainne Bennett, Parent
“I attended the creative well- being 6 week course with Laura ( online) and feel so enriched by the learning and awareness it gave me on so many aspects of my own emotional health and how to support children I work with also! The mix of practical techniques with theory based exploration is so comprehensive and empowering. I’ve developed a much deeper understanding and confidence around acknowledging feelings ..bringing more compassion, adopting a more nurturing and soothing approach towards myself and children I work with.”
– Brighid Sweeney, Special needs assistant
Student Feedback:
Teachers surveyed their students after the workshops to gather feedback in their own words
How do you feel after doing the Creative Wellbeing workshop?
“Good: Thumbs Up! Okay; Super; Excellent.”
– Junior Infants, 4-5 years old
“Good; Active; Sleepy; Relaxed; Tired.”
– Senior Infants, 5-6 year olds
“Refreshed; Calm; Happy;Relaxed; Very Comfortable.”
– 1st class, 6-7 year olds
“Relaxed and Happy; Calm; Sleepy; Cosy; Comfortable; Relaxed and ‘at home.”
– 1st class, 6-7 year olds
“Relaxed; Calm; Comfortable; Flexible; Sleepy; Peaceful.”
– 2nd class, 7-8 year olds
“Relaxed: Calm; Peaceful; Heartwarming; Happy; Feeling Comfortable; De-stressed; Focused.”
– 2nd class, 7-8 year olds
“Calm; Relaxed; Good about Myself; Good.”
– 3rd class, 9 year olds
“Inspired, Good, Relaxed; happy.”
– 4th class, 10 year olds
“Relaxed; Tired; Calm; Sleepy; Peaceful; In a better mood; Connected; Energised; Excited and upbeat for no reason.”
– 5th class, 10-12 year olds
How is your body, mind and mood after doing the workshop?
“Awake, Sleepy; Good Energy; Wants to rest/sleep; Happy; Super; Excellent; Good.”
– Junior Infants, 4-5 years old
“Awake; Happy; Excited; Nice; Kind; Happier.”
– Senior Infants, 5-6 year olds
“Energised; Refreshed; Floating; Relaxed; Weird; Calm; Good; Comfortable; Warm.”
– 1st class, 6-7 year olds
“More Energy; Switched off; Mind is on; Got Tired; Calmer; Balanced; Happy.”
– 2nd class, 7-8 year olds
“It feels more relaxed; My breathing is a lot calmer; My breathing is slower.”
– 2nd class, 7-8 year olds
“Feel a good energy; Happy; Awake; Sleepy; Peaceful; Relaxed; Calm; Normal; Don’t know.”
– 3RD CLASS, 9 YEAR OLDS
“More relaxed in my mind and looser in my body.”
– 4th class, 10 year olds
“Better from how I was before; Energised; Open-minded; Happy, Relaxed, Excited; Breathing has improved; Calm; Peaceful; More Focused; Relaxed; Sleepy.”
What do you remember from the workshop that you might do at home or show your family?
“Monkey Swing; Monkey Walk; Candle breath; Cat crawl; closing the eyes to rest the head (Head Rest).”
– Junior Infants, 4-5 years old
“Closing eyes; tapping body; Swinging arms like tree branches; Bear Walk; Monkey Walk; Lying down (some fell asleep); Cat Crawl.”
– Senior Infants, 5-6 year olds
“Candle Breath; Cross-body brain exercise; Rainbow Breath to calm.”
– 1st class, 6-7 year olds
“Rainbow breathing; BumbleBee breathing; I was bumblebee breathing before school today; Candle-breath- I showed my sister; I showed my brother about breathing out slowly.”
– 2nd class, 7-8 year olds
“Ear to Ear (brain gym); Swimming Dragon; Rainbow breath; Deep breathing for calming down; Meditation with eyes closed.”
– 2nd class, 7-8 year olds
“Wood chopper; Dog into bridge; Candle Breath; Swimming Dragon; Rainbow technique.”
– 3RD CLASS, 9 YEAR OLDS
“Candle breath; Rainbow; Swimming dragon.”
– 4th class, 10 year olds
“Downward dog into rainbow; Cat Cow; Woodchopper; Floor Rolls; Senses exercises; Thought into a balloon, letting them float and pop; Melting Candle; Mindful Walking.”
– 5th class, 10-12 year olds
What did you really enjoy?
“Swinging monkey; Monkey Walk; Playing with my friends”
– Junior Infants, 4-5 years old
“Being on the ground as it was relaxing and comfortable; Monkey walk because it was fun.”
– Senior Infants, 5-6 year olds
“Candle breath; Cross-Body; Lying down relaxation; Rainbow; Sitting Still.”
– 1st class, 6-7 year olds
“Rainbow Breathingcause it made me feel calm and warm; Swimming dragon; Candle breath; Power nap; Meditation.”
– 1ST CLASS, 6-7 YEAR OLDS
“All the dancing! ; Dancing with the scarf; Mindful walking, Bumblebee breathing.”
– 2nd class, 7-8 year olds
“Dog and cat; Putting bad feeling to the side; Power Nap was very relaxing; Swinging.”
– 2ND CLASS, 7-8 YEAR OLDS
“Feeling calm and relaxed; Downward dog into bridge pose (Body Puzzles)- it was fun and made your mind concentrate; Woodchopper stress release- it felt like I could destroy my bad feelings; Meditation; Focusing on the breath.”
– 3rd class, 9 year olds
“The calmness; Breathing; Tribal dance; Evolution game; Dog to cat.”
– 4th class, 10 year olds
“Candle Gazing; Dancing; Woodchopper stress release; Floor rolling; Breathing with eyes closed.”
– 5th class, 10-12 year olds
Did you learn new ways to relax your body and calm your mind?
“Yes”
– Everyone in the class
When will this be helpful?
“At bedtime; When feeling sleepy and need to wake up.”
– Junior Infants, 4-5 years old
“If you feel sad or angry you can give yourself a hug.”
– Senior Infants, 5-6 year olds
“When you are stressed; When you need a time-out.”
– 1st class, 6-7 year olds
“When I am angry and have lots of things in my head that I can’t solve.”
– 1ST CLASS, 6-7 YEAR OLDS
“All the dancing! ; Dancing with the scarf; Mindful walking, Bumblebee breathing.”
– 2nd class, 7-8 year olds
“When I’m angry; When I’m upset; When I’m stressed; When I’m frustrated; When I can’t sleep.”
– 2ND CLASS, 7-8 YEAR OLDS
“To clear the mind and release stress; when trying to sleep; When your Sad; Worried; Scared.”
– 2nd class, 7-8 year olds
“When you are stressed; When you lose your temper; If your mind is full of thinking; To calm and relax.”
– 3rd class, 9 year olds
“During class; In times of conflict; To relax.”
– 5th class, 10-12 year olds
