Mental Health Wellbeing Support
Mental Health Support:
https://www.place2be.org.uk/our-services/services-for-schools/mental-health-resources-for-schools/
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/professional/resources/building-positive-mental-health-in-schools/
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/
Coronavirus and your wellbeing
https://www.place2be.org.uk/about-us/news-and-blogs/2020/march/coronavirus-information-for-children/
Everybody Worries by Jon Burgerman
https://en.calameo.com/read/000777721945cfe5bb9cc?authid=Xu9pcOzU3TQx
Exercise
This releases chemicals, in your body, like endorphins and serotonin that help to improve your mood. If you exercise regularly, it can reduce your stress and symptoms of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/supermovers
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAxW1XT0iEJo0TYlRfn6rYQ?safe=true
Meditation
This can help children to regulate their emotions, thereby having fewer meltdowns, reduce their impulsivity and improve concentration and focus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWOHcGF1Tmc
https://annakaharris.com/mindfulness-for-children/
Mindfulness
Mindfulness colouring is a relaxing and calming activity that can also encourage children to explore their creativity while improving fine motor skills.
https://www.teachingideas.co.uk/2d-art/mindfulness-colouring-images-animals
https://www.bestcoloringpagesforkids.com/mindfulness-coloring-pages.html
https://www.teachstarter.com/gb/blog/classroom-mindfulness-activities-for-children-gb/
Self-esteem
Self-esteem helps children cope with mistakes and build their resilience. It helps them try again, even if they fail at first. As a result, self-esteem will help them do better at school, at home, and with friends. Children with low self-esteem feel unsure of themselves, so improving self-esteem, improves confidence.
https://www.kidsplayandcreate.com/self-esteem-character-building-activities-for-kids/
http://www.plantlovegrow.com/self-esteem.html
Hygiene
Important now more than ever but educating children on good hygiene is the best way to avoid the spread of infection and disorders; teaching the principles of correct hygiene at an early age can help keep individuals healthy in later life, and be taught to future generations.
https://www.childfun.com/themes/people/health-and-hygiene/
https://www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/hub/free-food-hygiene-worksheets/
https://www.ellipticalreviews.co.uk/health-games-for-kids/
Nutrition and Diet
Eating a nutritious diet helps you keep a healthy body. It also helps reduce your risk of developing some chronic diseases. New research finds that your food choices may also affect your mood and mental health. This is sometimes called the “food-mood connection.”
https://www.foodafactoflife.org.uk/
Self-care
Self-care is about the things that we can do to look after our own mental health.
https://www.childline.org.uk/login/?returnPath=%2flocker%2f#journal
https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/calm-zone/
https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/self-care/
Reflection
Personal reflection allows us to grow as human beings. It allows us to review what we have already done and think about targets and goals we would like for ourselves.
Children could keep a diary to write down their thoughts, feelings and emotions. They may even want to add newspaper articles about the current situation, as they are experiencing a unique moment in history.
Helping the local community
This helps to create stronger communities that are concerned with the well-being of each and every individual and creates a happier society for all.
Writing letters to family members that we cannot see or even the people who are currently isolated in our local care homes. It will allow the children to practise their letter writing skills as well as put a smile on someone else’s face.
litter picking – This would need to be supervised activity and may not be able to occur if you are self-isolating, gloves would also need to be worn for this activity. The children often talk to us about wanting to litter pick around school and where they live. This is a great time to for us to focus on cleaning the environment around us.
Gardening
Gardening is educational and develops new skills including Responsibility – from caring for plants. Understanding – as they learn about cause and effect (for example, plants die without water, weeds compete with plants) Self-confidence – from achieving their goals and enjoying the food they have grown.
Please also look at the Outdoor Learning page of our website for some outdoor, well-being activities.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/gardening_with_children/
https://kidsgardening.org/garden-activities/