Meeting the needs of the

Welsh Curriculum

Connect is a whole school wellbeing curriculum for primary schools, which aims to teach pupils the skills needed to support personal growth in all aspects of an education setting. The curriculum is based on a model called DNA-V, which describes four skills:

  • The Discoverer skill is about learning to explore the environment in a fun and open way

  • The Noticer skill is about contacting and labelling experiences in the present moment

  • The Advisor skill is about weighing up the reasons for and against pursuing a particular course of action

  • The Values skill is about identifying the qualities we want to reflect in our behaviour


The curriculum is also comprised of six themes, which are empirically derived wellbeing behaviours, known as the six ways to wellbeing. Throughout each of the wellbeing themes learners engage with the four DNA-V skills. The six ways to wellbeing which form the curriculum are:

  1. Connecting with others – this involves having healthy social relationships

  2. Challenging oneself – this involves continually trying to improve via learning

  3. Giving to others – this involves spending time and resources helping our fellow human beings

  4. Exercising – this involves engaging in physical activity

  5. Embracing the moment – this involves mindfully interacting with our thoughts and feelings

  6. Self-care – this involves looking after oneself, such as through healthy eating and improved sleep quality


The DNA-V skills that are taught and used throughout Connect, provide teachers and learners with a language for communicating thoughts, feelings and behaviours that can be integrated into the four purposes of the Welsh Curriculum whilst also satisfying the statements of ‘what matters’ for the Health and Wellbeing AoLE.

How Connect meet the four purposes of the Welsh Curriculum


1. Connect teaches the skills needed for learners to become ambitious, capable learners who:

  • are curious and explore their environment;

  • are independent and autonomous;

  • challenge themselves and navigate challenge flexibly; and

  • base decisions and behaviours on values.

and are ready to learn throughout their lives



2. Connect teaches the skills needed for learners to become enterprising, creative contributors who:

  • use conceptual and experiential knowledge and experience to create, solve problems, make decisions and manage change;

  • are aware of own skills, knowledge and strengths;

  • can identify and choose the people, activities and environments that are nourishing; and

  • engage in life through present moment.

and are ready to play a full part in life and work



3. Connect teaches the skills needed for learners to become ethical, informed citizens who:

  • have a deep connection to and understanding of others, and understand the importance of social inclusion;

  • are kind, compassionate, empathetic and appreciative;

  • are aware of the self as an individual and as a human with responsibilities and rights; and 

  • are committed to the sustainability of the planet. 

and are ready to be citizens of Wales and the world



4. Connect teaches the skills needed for learners to become healthy, confident individuals, who:

  • identify values, and use them to guide behaviours;

  • understand the impact of diet, exercise, sleep and risky behaviour on physical and mental health and can make measured decisions about lifestyle choices;

  • engage in self-care activities that include exercise and a balanced diet and actively seek out support when needed;

  • are fully self-aware of emotions, thoughts and physical sensations, how they are connected and how they impact on behaviour;

  • are emotionally resilient, and confident in perception of experience;

  • are aware of others and how their emotions and experiences might affect them;

  • can form positive relationships and strong social networks; 

  • challenge themselves and deal with consequences flexibly; and

  • are resourceful and can manage everyday life independently and seek support when required.

and are ready to lead fulfilling lives as valued members of society.


How the Connect curriculum meets the requirements for the Health and Wellbeing AoLE

1. Developing physical health and wellbeing has lifelong benefits. 

  • learners will understand the impact that diet, exercise, sleep and risky behaviour can have on physical and mental health;

  • learners will be able to make informed decisions, in accordance with their values, about lifestyle choices that keep the body and mind healthy;

  • learners will be more aware of their thoughts emotions and physical sensations, recognising messages and developing skills to act appropriately on these signals to support self-care and wellbeing; and

  • learners will be aware of the people, activities and environments that are supportive and nourishing.


2. How we process and respond to our experiences affects our mental health and emotional well-being. 

  • learners will develop awareness of thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations and the affect these can have on perceptions, actions and decisions;

  • learners will develop skills to self-regulate and communicate feelings;

  • learners will develop awareness of the impact of thoughts, feelings and actions on others, strengthening social connections;

  • learners will develop awareness of others and how their emotions and experiences might affect them; and

  • learners will learn how to communicate thought, feelings and behaviours.


3. Our decision-making impacts on the quality of our lives and the lives of others. 

  • learners will develop the skills to identify the people, activities and environments that are nourishing and rewarding;

  • learners will make informed decisions in accordance with their conceptual and experiential experience and based on their values;

  • learners will be aware of the impact of actions, choices and perceptions on themselves and others;

  • learners will take measured risk and challenge themselves; and 

  • learners will approach challenge and change flexibly and with curiosity.


4. How we engage with social influences shapes who we are and affects our health and well-being. 

  • learners will develop a deep awareness of others’ differences, rules, values, attitudes and social norms and understand the importance of social inclusion;

  • learners will develop values that reflect the qualities they want to see in their own behaviours, based on their conceptual and experiential experience;

  • learners will approach diversity with curiosity and kindness; and

  • learners will develop the ability to respond from conscious awareness (of self and others) rather than unconsciously react, particularly when facing challenge.


5. Healthy relationships are fundamental to our well-being

  • learners will develop lasting social connections that are nourishing and supportive; 

  • learners develop awareness of how healthy social connections make them and others feel and are able to communicate this;

  • learners are aware of the relationships that are nourishing and have learnt to choose them; and

  • learners can recognise when relationships may be unhealthy, can make measured choices and know how to seek support.