Start at the Beginning’s wellbeing and children’s rights toolkit in action

Date: 22nd May 2026
Category: Awareness-raising, General measures of implementation, Education, including vocational education

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Start at the Beginning is pleased to unveil a new short film showing how children’s rights and wellbeing can become a natural, joyful part of everyday learning, made with students of  Bracoden Primary School. The school has been working with the Start at the Beginning Wellbeing and Children’s Rights Toolkit since 2020, working with CAL the Wellbeing Octopus, BUTTER the children’s rights caterpillar, and a whole cast of wellbeing friends who help bring big ideas to life for young learners.

In March 2026, the Start at the Beginning team travelled to Banff to hear directly from the children and staff about how these tools shape daily school life.

The result is a warm, real-life story, celebrating nurture, rights, relationships and the power of playful learning. The children explain in their own words how CAL, BUTTER and their friends help them with expressing their feelings, opinions and help them understand their rights.

The video introduces BIG CAL, the larger‑than‑life wellbeing friend who has already visited more than 40 early years settings and primary schools across Scotland. And Bracoden now has its very own Giant CAL, lovingly knitted by their #KnitWellbeing volunteers and proudly displayed in the school hall.

BIG CAL is now ready to hit the road again, offering FREE visits to schools and nurseries across Scotland to help children explore wellbeing and rights in a memorable, creative and friendly way.

Schools, nurseries or practitioners who want to learn more are warmly invited to get in touch at hello@startatthebeginning.co.uk

Watch the introduction video made by students of Bracoden Primary School

Find out more about the Start at the Beginning Wellbeing and Children’s Rights Toolkit