Children’s Wellbeing Tools
Start at the Beginning creates fun wellbeing tools that help young children explore emotions, build confidence and feel supported from the very earliest years.
Building Imagination
Children are supported to recognise how they feel and why, building self-awareness and confidence through trusted tools, conversation and shared experiences.
Growing Cognitive
Through play, creativity and storytelling, children are given inclusive opportunities to share thoughts, feelings and experiences in ways that feel natural and pressure free.
Increase Confidence
Children develop coping skills, courage and resilience that help them manage change, challenges and relationships, supporting wellbeing now and into the future.
About Us
Wellbeing starts at the beginning of life
We believe that wellbeing starts at the beginning, in early relationships, everyday conversations and moments of play. Our tools are designed to fit naturally into children’s daily lives, helping them feel safe, heard and valued.
Developed in collaboration with nurseries, schools, families and volunteers, the Start at the Beginning Wellbeing Tools use play, storytelling and creativity to support emotional awareness, communication and connection. They are intentionally simple, non-clinical and accessible, allowing children to explore feelings at their own pace and in ways that feel right for them.
Our approach supports the adults around children — educators, practitioners and families — by offering practical resources that encourage meaningful wellbeing conversations without adding pressure or workload.
Our Approach
The Start at the Beginning Wellbeing Tools align with Scotland’s GIRFEC approach, the SHANARRI wellbeing indicators, and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
Through consistent, caring use, the tools help children to be:
Active and Responsible – learning through play, creativity and shared experiences
Safe and Nurtured – supported through trusted relationships and calming resources
Respected and Included – listened to, valued and encouraged to express themselves
Healthy and Achieving – developing confidence, communication and emotional awareness
RECENT MESSAGES FROM THE CHILDREN
“We all love our friend CAL the wellbeing octopus, who is a regular visitor to the forest school sessions at Bracoden Woods to check up on us and ensure we are Safe, Healthy, Achieving, Nurtured, Active, Respected, Responsible and all Included.” Shirley, Leafy Trails Forest
“The kids in my nursery are working their way through the well beginning indicators and are awarded badges when they understand what it means to them. They have a wish wall and when they all achieve their legs, they will get a special treat.” Kirkcowan Nursery
“We have loved having BIG CAL with us at ACE Place Rodger Drive, Crawfurd Road and Riverside settings. Children of ages 3 to 12 have all been introduced to CAL and used CAL during our discussions about the Wellbeing Indicators.” ACE Place Childcare
“The new book – BUTTER’s Journey of Discovery – with the knitted characters is exactly what we are looking for to teach the Rights of the Child across all age groups.” Bracoden Primary School
NEWSLETTERS:
2025