PlayBoard NI, the lead organisation for the development of children and young people’s play, has launched a new well-being book.
The innovative children’s book, Archie’s Adventures in Emotions and accompanying activity cards promotes emotional intelligence through play. Navigating a range of feelings, the book aims to equip children with the skills to understand and manage their emotions in a fun and playful way.
Pictured with children in main image at the book launch are Christine McCullough, illustrator, left; with Lisa Maclean, Chief Executive, Footprints Women’s Centre; Alan Herron, Chief Executive, PlayBoard NI; and Maelíosa Cahill, Footprints Family Empowerment lead.
The children’s story is accompanied by a resource of simple play activities which can be used by parents at home or by those working with children in settings, in groups or on a one-to-one basis.
Designed as an element of PlayBoard’s Spaces to Be programme, the new resource continues PlayBoard’s work in supporting children’s mental health and well-being through a play-based approach.
PlayBoard Chief Executive, Alan Herron, said: “The health and well-being of children and young people is at the core of what we do, and through our play-based programmes such as Spaces to Be, and our resources, we continue to strive for the best outcomes for all children and young people across Northern Ireland. We hope that Archie’s Adventures in Emotions will assist parents and those working with children to talk about emotions and mental health in a playful yet impactful way.”
Lisa Maclean, Chief Executive, Footprints Women’s Centre said: “Our Family Empowerment Project (sponsored by BBC Children in Need) offers a holistic service to families and children in the Colin Area. Key to our service delivery is recognising the strength and value of working in partnership with other child-centric organisations and our partnership working and co-delivery with PlayBoard NI has proved a huge success.
“We are pleased to have worked together to promote positive play and build resilience through the Spaces to Be programme, and the OUR Generation project since 2022. The cross-community programme looks at diversity and difference, focusing on similarities and common goals. There was a gap in the market for a children’s emotional well-being resource and the children helped make this happen.”
