Supporting your child's emotional and mental well-being
On this page you will find:
- Some useful video links including Operation Ouch, a CBeebies episode of Get Well Soon about Coronavirus and Kindness Matters by the Mental Health Foundation.
- Covid-19 coping guide for children and young people created by Leicestershire Educational Psychology Service
- Coronavirus a book for children, illustrated by well known children's book illustrator Axel Scheffler
- How to maintain good mental well-being during isolation
- Top Tips for Supporting Your Child's Emotional and Mental Well-being
- The Time We Spring Cleaned The World - a poem to support children's understanding of our current period of social distancing
- The Stay Home Superheroes by Sophie Marsh - a short story to support children's understanding of our current period of social distancing
- What's Going On? - an eBook, written by Clare Shaw, explaining Coronavirus to young children
- Talking to your child about Coronavirus - An article taken from the www.youngminds.co.uk website
Helpful video links
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Kindness Matters
Mental Health Foundation Mental Health Awareness Week 2020 <- Click on the picture to see the video! <- |
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Click on either of the images below to be taken to the free eBook as a PDF.
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Top tips for supporting your child’s emotional
and mental well-being at home
Routine
A basic routine will help to reassure children especially during a period of uncertainty, it doesn’t have to be especially detailed to support your child’s well-being. Routines give children a sense of security and control over their environment. When life is organised and consistent at home, children feel safe, secure and looked after, especially during stressful times. By creating a predictable daily routine, children also learn what to expect at various times of the day and experience a sense of control and satisfaction when they complete these tasks.
A basic routine will help to reassure children especially during a period of uncertainty, it doesn’t have to be especially detailed to support your child’s well-being. Routines give children a sense of security and control over their environment. When life is organised and consistent at home, children feel safe, secure and looked after, especially during stressful times. By creating a predictable daily routine, children also learn what to expect at various times of the day and experience a sense of control and satisfaction when they complete these tasks.
Keeping in Touch with Friends and Family
We cannot meet up with our families and friends at the moment but wherever possible use video-calling to keep in contact with others. Why not set up a family meal one evening where your family all eat at the same time with video calling on?
We cannot meet up with our families and friends at the moment but wherever possible use video-calling to keep in contact with others. Why not set up a family meal one evening where your family all eat at the same time with video calling on?
Keep Active
Maintaining some physical activity supports children’s emotional and mental well-being, as well as their physical health. Chemical changes in the brain enhance our mood, but it also helps us feel like we have achieved something positive. You could create an obstacle course, have a family dance-off using Wii Just Dance or the Just Dance videos on YouTube, or join a Joe Wicks PE session on YouTube.
Maintaining some physical activity supports children’s emotional and mental well-being, as well as their physical health. Chemical changes in the brain enhance our mood, but it also helps us feel like we have achieved something positive. You could create an obstacle course, have a family dance-off using Wii Just Dance or the Just Dance videos on YouTube, or join a Joe Wicks PE session on YouTube.
Getting Outside
Research shows that children have a need to be outside, taking opportunities to explore, discover, climb and run. Make sure you involve children in using your outdoor space by asking them to help create obstacle courses for one another, asking them to think about what tools and resources they will need. Or you could provide materials for the children to make dens outdoors. Could they have a picnic in their den? Gardening is really rewarding and now is a great time to plant bulbs and seeds.
Another idea is to ask older children to help make a treasure hunt and map for the younger children. Ask them to draw the map and plan out the route. They can also think about what the treasure will be.
Research shows that children have a need to be outside, taking opportunities to explore, discover, climb and run. Make sure you involve children in using your outdoor space by asking them to help create obstacle courses for one another, asking them to think about what tools and resources they will need. Or you could provide materials for the children to make dens outdoors. Could they have a picnic in their den? Gardening is really rewarding and now is a great time to plant bulbs and seeds.
Another idea is to ask older children to help make a treasure hunt and map for the younger children. Ask them to draw the map and plan out the route. They can also think about what the treasure will be.
Please remember the Government guidelines about leaving the house, exercise and social distancing.
Music
Research suggests that music can stimulate the body’s natural feel good chemicals (e.g. endorphins, oxytocin). It can help energise our mood and provide an outlet for us to take control of our feelings.
For example, music can help us to:
Research suggests that music can stimulate the body’s natural feel good chemicals (e.g. endorphins, oxytocin). It can help energise our mood and provide an outlet for us to take control of our feelings.
For example, music can help us to:
- Manage stress
- Express feelings
- Promote wellness
Laughter
We have a lot to gain from laughing! Laughter has the following effects on our overall mental health:
We have a lot to gain from laughing! Laughter has the following effects on our overall mental health:
- Releases endorphins: Natural chemicals in the body, endorphins promote a sense of well-being and relieve stress.
- Decreases anger: When we’re in a difficult situation or in a disagreement with another person, seeing the humour in it can help. Specifically, laughter defuses anger, conflict, and self-blame.
- Eases distressing emotions: Laughter counteracts feelings of anxiety and sadness. Moreover, it helps us release other intense emotions, such as grief.
- Relaxes and revitalises: Along with reducing stress, laughter also increases our energy levels. Therefore, we can stay focused more easily.
- Changes your perspective: Laughter helps us access another point of view. Moreover, we begin to see something in a new, less scary way when we can laugh about it. In addition, humour helps us take things less seriously.
- Reduces stress: When we laugh and smile, cortisol levels decrease. Cortisol is also known as the stress hormone, so lower levels are better for our mental health. Therefore, laughter increases our stress resilience.
Creativity
The arts can give children a vital creative outlet to express and make sense of their emotions, in particular when they might not always have the words to describe what they’re feeling. Whether music, drama, dance, literature, visual art or film – the creative process can help children work through their problems and find ways of coping. It can also be a welcome chance to switch off from the many pressures children and young people find themselves under in today’s society.
The arts can give children a vital creative outlet to express and make sense of their emotions, in particular when they might not always have the words to describe what they’re feeling. Whether music, drama, dance, literature, visual art or film – the creative process can help children work through their problems and find ways of coping. It can also be a welcome chance to switch off from the many pressures children and young people find themselves under in today’s society.
A poem for Children – The Time We Spring Cleaned the World
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The world it got so busy, There were people all around. They left their germs behind them; In the air and on the ground. These germs grew bigger and stronger. They wanted to come and stay. They didn’t want to hurt anyone – They just really wanted to play. Sometimes they tried to hold your hand, Or tickled your throat or your nose. They could make you cough and sneeze And make your face as red as a rose. And so these germs took over. They started to make people ill, And with every cough we coughed More and more germs would spill. All the queens and kings had a meeting. “It’s time to clean the world up!” they said. And so they had to close lots of fun stuff, Just so these germs couldn’t spread. We couldn’t go to cinemas Or restaurants for our tea. There was no football or parties, The world got as quiet as can be. The kids stopped going to school, The mums and dads went to work less. Then a great, big, giant scrubbing brush Cleaned the sky and the sea and the mess! Dads started teaching the sums, Big brothers played with us more, Mums were in charge of homework And we read and played jigsaws galore! The whole world was washing their hands And building super toilet roll forts! Outside was quiet and peaceful, Now home was the place for all sports. So we played in the world that was home And our days filled up with fun and love, And the germs they grew smaller and smaller And the sun watched from up above. Then one morning the sun woke up early, She smiled and stretched her beams wide. The world had been fully spring cleaned, It was time to go back outside! We opened our doors oh so slowly And breathed in the clean and fresh air. We promised that forever and always Of this beautiful world we’d take care! (Author Unknown) |
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The Stay Home Superheroes by Sophie Marsh
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Sophie's story can be downloaded here or find more on her website or Facebook pages here:
https://www.sophiesstories.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/SophiesStories1 | ||
What's Going On?
Click on the picture below to be taken to this lovely rhyming eBook by Clare Shaw, an author of therapeutic stories covering a range of sensitive subjects.
Talking to Your Child about Coronavirus
Your child may understandably be concerned or worried by what they see, read or hear in the news, online or at school regarding coronavirus (covid-19). As a parent or carer, it’s good to talk to them honestly but calmly about what is happening, and to not ignore or shield them from what is going on in the world. Children look to adults in their life for comfort when they are distressed, and will take a lead on how to view things from you. Remember, you don’t have to have all the answers, but it is better to have a gentle conversation to reassure your child that they can talk to you so they don’t feel like they’re on their own.
You may need to gauge their level of understanding or interest to decide what level of detail you need to go into when explaining what is going on. It’s important to respond to their questions and concerns, so that anxieties don’t build up. You could start by asking them what they think is going on, if their friends are talking about it and what they are saying, and if they have any questions.
Older children may have already read or seen a lot of information about coronavirus on social media or online. If they are feeling overwhelmed by what they are reading, encourage them to acknowledge what they are finding difficult. You could help them limit the amount of times they check the news, and encourage them to get information from reputable websites. The Government website is the most up-to-date and reliable source of information, and the NHS common questions has useful information if they are worried about symptoms or family members.
Starting a conversation can be difficult, especially if you’re worried that your child is having a hard time. You’re the leading expert when it comes to your child. You can tell when they aren’t in the mood to talk, or when they aren’t responding to your attempts. Above all, it’s important to remember that as a parent, you do not need to know all the answers but you can help to contain their fears and anxieties by being there for them.
Top Ten Tips For Parents
Credit: https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/talking-to-your-child-about-coronavirus/
You may need to gauge their level of understanding or interest to decide what level of detail you need to go into when explaining what is going on. It’s important to respond to their questions and concerns, so that anxieties don’t build up. You could start by asking them what they think is going on, if their friends are talking about it and what they are saying, and if they have any questions.
Older children may have already read or seen a lot of information about coronavirus on social media or online. If they are feeling overwhelmed by what they are reading, encourage them to acknowledge what they are finding difficult. You could help them limit the amount of times they check the news, and encourage them to get information from reputable websites. The Government website is the most up-to-date and reliable source of information, and the NHS common questions has useful information if they are worried about symptoms or family members.
Starting a conversation can be difficult, especially if you’re worried that your child is having a hard time. You’re the leading expert when it comes to your child. You can tell when they aren’t in the mood to talk, or when they aren’t responding to your attempts. Above all, it’s important to remember that as a parent, you do not need to know all the answers but you can help to contain their fears and anxieties by being there for them.
Top Ten Tips For Parents
- Try not to shield your child from the news, as it’s likely they will find out somehow from school, being online or from friends.
- Talk to your child about what is going on. you could start by asking them what they have heard.
- Try to answer their questions and reassure them in an age appropriate manner. Remember, you do not need to know all the answers, but talking can help them feel calm.
- Reassure your child that it is unlikely they will get seriously ill, and if they do you feel ill you will look after them. Your child might be concerned about who will look after you if you catch the virus. Let them know the kind of support you have as an adult so that they don’t feel they need to worry about you.
- Give some practical tips to your child about how they can look after themselves. For example, show them how to wash their hands properly, and remind them when they should be doing it.
- Keep as many regular routines as possible, so that your child feels safe and that things are stable.
- Spend time doing a positive activity with your child (e.g. reading, playing, painting, cooking) to help reassure them and reduce their anxiety. This is also a great way of providing a space for them to talk through their concerns, without having a ‘big chat’.
- Encourage your child to think about the things they can do to make them feel safer and less worried.
- Be aware that your child may want more close contact with you at this time and feel anxious about separation. Try to provide this support whenever possible.
- Remember to look after yourself too. If you yourself are feeling worried, or anxious about coronavirus, talk to someone you trust who can listen and support you.
Credit: https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/talking-to-your-child-about-coronavirus/
