Hi, I'm Dr Ranj.
Are you ready to connect with each other?
We are going to make some big waves of thanks to those people who've helped us or cared for us.
Carefully and watching for your classmates, show me the biggest wave you can give.
Who were you waving to?
Is it a friend, a teacher or someone at home?
How far is your wave going?
Is it going across the room to someone in a different part of the school, or perhaps someone who lives far away?
If it is, your wave will need to be as big as you can make it.
Just be careful of others around you, like this.
Let's connect together to give a big wave of thanks.
I'll start our big wave and then your teacher is going to go next, followed by everyone in the class.
One after the other, until the wave travels back to the start.
Are you ready? Let's go.
Oh, lovely waving, everyone.
That's brilliant.
I can see you waving.
Oh, hi Evie!
Oh, hi, Amy.
Great wave.
It was great to see so many of you give such a big effort.
Shall we go again?
But this time, as you wave, I want you to thank someone for something they've done for you.
Like this. Thanks to my bus driver for getting me here today.
Have you thought of someone? Ready?
Go. Thank you.
Brilliant.
Well done, everyone.
This time, think of something about planet Earth that you want to say thanks for.
So, for example, thank you to the planet for all the wonderful spaces in nature that we get to go and enjoy.
Are you ready?
Go. Thank you.
Oh, brilliant reason.
So many reasons to be thankful for the earth.
Okay, Last go.
And this time think of something where you're going to say thank you to yourself.
What are you thankful for that you've done recently?
If you're not sure what to say or would prefer to keep it private, then just say thank you.
But let's make this the best one yet.
Ready and go.
I'm thankful for going to bed early last night so I can wake up feeling refreshed this morning.
Oh, there's some good ones there.
Oh, fantastic.
It's really important to have people around us who we trust and to say thank you to if things helped us to feel safe and happy.
Thank you for taking the time to give thanks today to someone who is important to you.
I sometimes forget to do this, but I will try to show my thanks a little bit more and to myself.
Repeat after me.
Thank you. All together.
Thank you.
I love that you also took some time to connect with someone special to you today.
I hope to see you again soon. Bye.
TV presenter and medical doctor Dr Ranj uses the gesture of waving to spread thanks throughout the class and beyond.
The bigger or more exaggerated the wave, the longer the pupils’ thanks can travel and the more grateful they become.
Taking a moment and displaying gratitude to the people in our life, whether that’s family, fellow pupils or teachers, can help to drastically elevate our moods.
Connecting with others helps us to form our identity and see how we can make a valuable contribution in the world that we live in.
Teacher Notes
- Phase and setting most suitable for: KS1 and KS2. Whole class gratitude practice / Appropriate for assembly.
- When to use: Mindfulness moment / End of day.
See our Moodboosters School Timetable for more ideas.
- Curriculum/topic/SEMH links: Gratitude - Harvest, Christmas, Earth Day, people who help us.
- Visit the Teacher Guide for more information and support.
Enrichment activities
- Thank You Circle:
- Children sit in a circle.
- One at a time, they say thank you to someone (a friend, family member, teacher, etc.) and share one reason why they are grateful.
- Example: "Thank you to my mum for helping me with my homework!"
- Planet Praise:
- Go around the room and have each child name one thing about the Earth they are thankful for.
- Example: "I'm thankful for the trees because they give us fresh air!"
- Self-Thankfulness Sharing:
- Invite children to think of something they did recently that they are proud of and share it aloud.
- Example: "I'm thankful that I helped my little brother tie his shoes!"
- Thank You Cards:
- Children create a thank you card for someone who has helped them recently.
- They can decorate it and write a short message inside.
- Example: "Dear Mr. Green, Thank you for teaching me how to read!"
- Thankful Lists:
- Have children write three short lists:
- One person they are thankful for
- One thing about the Earth they are thankful for
- One thing about themselves they are thankful for
More from Connect:
Copy Me. video
Rhys Stephenson and George Webster ask pupils to copy each other’s movements to validate how they feel and create a sense of importance.
Pass It On. video
Ade Adepitan guides pupils to use a combination of movements and facial gestures to spread kindness and friendliness.
Carnival Connect. video
Evie Pickerill leads a fun classroom activity where pupils are encouraged to join in with dance moves, whilst thinking about something worth celebrating.
Dance Crew and You. video
CBeebies presenter Evie Pickerill teaches a street dance routine for children that encourages feelings of inclusion and togetherness.
Hummingbird Harmony. video
Rhys Stephenson and George Webster lead children in slow and simple breathing movements in this Moodboosters learning activity.
Hand to Hand. video
Paralympian Ade Adepitan uses hand clapping routines to encourage children to connect with each other to help combat feelings of loneliness.
LOL Selfies. video
Rhys Stephenson and Joe Tasker get pupils to pull funny faces in this classroom activity to help overcome feelings of shyness and boost confidence.
Yee-haw! video
TV presenter and Strictly chamption Oti Mabuse leads a country and western line dance encouraging children to think just one step at a time.
Rock, Paper, Scissors. video
Rhys Stephenson and Joe Tasker lead an epic Rock, Paper, Scissors showdown to help promote the virtue of patience and giving things time.
More from Moodboosters:
Boost. collection
Energetic, movement-based activities promoting self-confidence in children by encouraging them to use movement and positive thinking to build self-esteem.
Recharge. collection
Activities to help children become aware of the importance of self-care, whilst building resilience and recognising what makes them special.
Imagine. collection
Learning activities to promote creativity and optimism in children whilst encouraging them to use their imagination to envision their goals and aspirations.
Teacher's guide
Curriculum-linked ideas and tips about how you can use Moodboosters with your class during the school day.
Watch again - our live launch. video
Watch highlights as children from around the nations join together for a big mood-boosting moment.
About Moodboosters
Everything you need to know about our initiative to get KS1 / KS2 pupils moving for mental health and wellbeing.
