Supporting Educators’ Mental Wellbeing Through Movement and Play
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About the cards
The Move and Play the Stress Away (MPSA) Cards are a practical self-reflection tool designed to support teachers, educators and helping professionals in managing stress and strengthening mental wellbeing through movement, play and mindful awareness.
Each card offers a short, guided invitation to pause and reconnect with the body, emotions or present moment. Rather than providing instructions to “fix” stress, the cards encourage gentle exploration and self-observation. This approach supports early stress recognition and helps prevent overload before it escalates into burnout.
The cards are intentionally simple and flexible. They can be used individually, in pairs or in group settings, and require no special preparation or equipment. Users can draw a card intuitively, select one that resonates with their current state, or integrate the cards into structured wellbeing sessions, workshops or counselling processes.
The MPSA Cards are particularly suited for:
short breaks during the workday
transitions between demanding tasks
individual reflection and self-care routines
group reflection with colleagues
counselling and support sessions with educators
The content of the cards is rooted in embodied learning principles. By engaging the body through movement, breath, posture or sensory awareness, users can access regulation strategies that go beyond cognitive reflection alone. Playful elements invite curiosity and reduce performance pressure, making the practice accessible even in moments of fatigue or emotional overload.
The cards complement the MPSA MOOC and training resources, but they can also stand alone as an everyday wellbeing tool. There is no prescribed order or “correct” way to use them. What matters is the personal experience and the space they create for listening to one’s own needs.
Through regular use, the MPSA Cards support educators in building small, sustainable wellbeing habits — helping them stay connected to themselves, their bodies and their professional roles with greater balance and resilience.