Teach Mental Resilience
Teach Mental Resilience is Bounce Forward's primary curriculum — a six-module series that gives children the knowledge, skills and language to navigate life and the rapidly changing world of the 21st century. Developed from sound research and designed to be genuinely engaging, it takes children on a practical journey of self-discovery that helps them express themselves and empathise with others. The modules build progressively — from understanding emotions and how the brain works, through identifying unhelpful thinking patterns (Gremlins), developing optimism and perspective, and finally connecting it all to their own future. Each module is delivered in order, with professional training built in, because this approach is proven to improve teaching quality and learning outcomes. The earlier children develop psychological fitness, the stronger the foundation for everything that follows — learning, relationships, wellbeing and resilience through adolescence and beyond. This curriculum sits alongside academic subjects, not instead of them, making mental resilience part of everyday school life from the start.
Lessons
6 lessons in this module.
Resilience & Harnessing Positive Emotions Primary
This foundational lesson introduces students to the concept of mental resilience and explores how positive emotions can be cultivated and used as a resource. Students learn what resilience means, why it matters, and how emotions — particularly positive ones — play a crucial role in building mental strength and wellbeing.
Connecting the Brain, Emotions & Thoughts Primary
Students explore the relationship between the brain, emotions, and thinking patterns. This lesson demystifies how the brain processes emotional experiences and how our thoughts are deeply intertwined with how we feel, helping students understand the science behind their emotional responses.
Introducing Gremlin Beliefs Primary
This lesson introduces the concept of 'Gremlin Beliefs' — the unhelpful, often automatic negative thoughts and beliefs that undermine confidence and resilience. Students learn to identify their own gremlins and understand how these beliefs can hold them back, as a first step towards challenging them.
Optimism & Evidence Primary
Building on the gremlin beliefs lesson, this session introduces optimism as a learnable skill. Students discover how to use evidence-based thinking to challenge negative thought patterns and cultivate a more balanced, optimistic outlook — not toxic positivity, but realistic, grounded hope.
WoBbLe The Big Worries Primary
WoBbLe is a memorable framework that helps students understand that life's ups and downs are normal and manageable. This lesson teaches students to embrace wobbles as part of growth and to use the WoBbLe model as a practical tool for maintaining balance during challenging times.
Resilience Planning Primary
The culminating lesson of the Teach Mental Resilience course, this session brings together everything students have learned to create a personal Resilience Plan. Students reflect on their journey through the course and build a practical, personalised toolkit for maintaining and growing their resilience going forward.