New story helps children to understand what flooding can mean for a home and how being prepared can help
‘Flood Mary’ with children from Pocklington Junior School(Image: supplied image)
A children’s tale launched during Flood Action Week aims to help primary school pupils learn how homes and communities can better prepare for flooding. Flood resilience advocate Mary Long-Dhonau OBE – also known as “Flood Mary” – joined children at Pocklington Junior School for a special story time, marking the launch of a new children’s book and animation designed to help young people understand flooding and the importance of being prepared.
During morning assembly, Mary read Missy and Stanley’s Tale, which follows Missy the cat and Stanley the dog as they experience flooding in their home. Missy and Stanley’s Tale was created as part of the Blue Heart project, which is funded by Defra as part of the £200m Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes, managed by the Environment Agency.
The characters and animations have been produced by the team at Aardman, bringing to life a story that helps children to understand what flooding can mean for a household and how being prepared can help. The resources are now available to all schools.
Designed specifically for primary school children, they give teachers an age-appropriate way to explore flood risk, climate resilience and the practical steps that can support households. Mary said: “Helping children to understand flooding and how to prepare is a really important part of building more resilient communities.
“My home flooded when my youngest children were of primary school age and they lost all their toys to floodwater. Ever since, I’ve worked hard to raise awareness of flood preparedness and help other families across the country.
“Missy and Stanley’s story gives schools an engaging way to introduce these conversations, helping children to understand what can happen and the steps families can take together to be flood ready. It was a pleasure to share the story with the children at Pocklington Junior School during Flood Action Week.”
The story includes resources to help teachers talk with children about what happens before and after a flood, the feelings people may experience and why preparedness matters. Activities encourage children to consider what might belong in an emergency grab bag and to spot the differences between a home adapted for flooding and one that has not – these provide starting points for classroom discussion and conversations with parents and carers at home.
Miss Libby Musgrave, Year 4 teacher and PSHE lead of Pocklington Community Junior School, said: “Stories can help children make sense of subjects that might otherwise feel difficult or unfamiliar. Missy and Stanley give us a way to talk about flooding, explore how people might feel and also focus on the practical things families can do to prepare.” Schools can access Missy & Stanley’s Tale and find out more about the book, animation and related resources via www.befloodwarned.uk
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