Supporting Wellbeing

Supporting Online Safety

Government Advice

Supporting Wellbeing

Wellbeing tips for families:

•    Talk to your children, and answer their questions.  Ask about what they have heard about the virus and the situation so that you can correct possible misconceptions and reassure them.

•    Avoid being too immersed in media coverage.  Be mindful of the amount of things you are reading and watching, including social media – as this may add to worry and anxiety.  Consider a few updates every day from trusted sources.

•    Remember that people react differently to significant events.  Some people – adults and children – may feel worried, some excited, some nothing much at all.  Be reassured that different reactions are normal and ok.

•    If your child seems worried, it may be good to distract them with something that takes their mind off their worries.  You might also want to set aside 10-15 minutes each day for them to talk about any worries, and to reassure them.

•    Remember to keep things positive and give children hope.  For example, tell children that now many people are working to make this better and that even though it is serious, everyone is doing their best to help people.

•    Try to keep familiar routines.  Well-known routines in everyday life provide security and stability.

•    Do nice things together, and keep active.  Make a plan and suggest some regular family times where you can play games, do some exercise together, or do other things that you know most of you like.  Try to find a good balance between time together, and screen time.

•    Keep in good contact with family and friends (via Facetime, Skype WhatsApp etc.; following NHS guidance on ‘social contact’).  This will help children connect with others and know that others are thinking about them.  It will also reassure them that others are well.

•    As a parent you may be concerned yourself.  Take care of yourself and make sure you have breaks, time to relax, and ask for help from others if you need.

Talking to children about Coronavirus

There is currently a lot of uncertainty and worry around the coronavirus outbreak and children and young people will be affected by the huge changes that are going on around them - regardless of their age or any additional needs. It is really important that adults explain what is happening to children and young people in an age appropriate way so they understand what is happening. Some useful links are:

Talking to children about Coronavirus (British Psychological Society):

https://www.bps.org.uk/news-and-policy/talking-children-about-coronavirus

Talking to Children (Childmind):  

https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/

How to talk to your child about coronavirus (Unicef):

https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus/how-talk-your-child-about-coronavirus-covid-19

Tips and guidance on supporting preschool children (Zero to Three);

https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/3210-tips-for-families-coronavirus

Talking to children (National Association of School Psychologists)

https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/health-crisis-resources/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-(coronavirus)-a-parent-resource

Stories about Coronavirus for children

Visual stories are a useful way of helping children to understand the Coronavirus.

Here are some links to some good examples:

ELSA: Coronavirus Story for Children:

https://www.elsa-support.co.uk/coronavirus-story-for-children/  

Hello! Story about Coronavirus for young children:

https://660919d3-b85b-43c3-a3ad-3de6a9d37099.filesusr.com/ugd/64c685_319c5acf38d34604b537ac9fae37fc80.pdf

A social story about pandemics (Carol Gray):

https://carolgraysocialstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Pandemics-and-the-Coronavirus.pdf?fbclid=IwAR23zxNlbEumpw4oKlM7Xy3VlKnA25b8Gi53N6YiFIeKB9Vx0LQypSPYzzg

A Social Story about the coronavirus:

https://www.ppmd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/The-Corona-Virus-Free-Printable-Updated-2-The-Autism-Educator-.pdf

A comic exploring coronavirus to help young people understand:

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/28/809580453/just-for-kids-a-comic-exploring-the-new-coronavirus?t=1584464333506 

Information Videos for children about the Coronavirus

Information video on Coronavirus for Primary age children (KS2) (Brainpop):

https://www.brainpop.com/health/diseasesinjuriesandconditions/coronavirus/

Information video on Coronavirus for older children/adults (WHO):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOV1aBVYKGA&feature=youtu.be

Promoting Children’s Wellbeing

Advice for young people who are feeling anxious about Coronavirus (Young Minds):

https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/what-to-do-if-you-re-anxious-about-coronavirus

Helping children cope with stress (WHO):

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/helping-children-cope-with-stress-print.pdf?sfvrsn=f3a063ff_2

Advice for older pupils and adults about looking after their emotional well-being.

https://afsp.org/taking-care-of-your-mental-health-in-the-face-of-uncertainty/?fbclid=IwAR3ScDBfuhV5INKyutAG9IPNm4JnjjLOmHxv5w8SR9pBbDDU-8Hhy1QH-L8  

Special Needs and the Coronavirus

Parent-focused ideas from Special Needs Jungle about how to support children with anxiety around coronavirus, including an easy-read explanation for children and adults with learning difficulties:

https://www.specialneedsjungle.com/calming-coronavirus-anxiety-children-everyone-else/#Update

See social story in the appendix.

Looking after your own wellbeing

How to protect your mental health (BBC):

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51873799  

Coronavirus and your wellbeing (Mind UK):

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/

5 ways to wellbeing (Mindkit):

https://www.mindkit.org.uk/5-ways-to-wellbeing/

Health Advice NHS advice:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Note: as the situation and sources of information are developing, the above tips and links may be updated.

Activities to support mental well being and family time

Useful and fun activities for parents of primary aged children.

Choose a set per week or mix and match!

Feeling safe and secure are the foundations for learning. Use this time to optimise connectivity and laughter to ready your children for returning to school when the time comes. Here are some creative activities that you can use with your children.

1. Marvellous Memories:Create a memory box or bag of all your favourite things/people you are missing. For example, collect objects, photos, anything that reminds you and save them. Decorating it however feels good for you.

2. The sky’s the limit:Explore the sky, lie on the ground and see how many shapes or animals you can see in the clouds. You could even take pictures and make them out of cotton wool and stick them on paper.

3. Movie Time:Choose your favourite movie and sit down together to watch it as a family. Wrap up in your favourite blanket, with your favourite drinks, snacks and soft toys.

4. Hairdressers:Create your own hair salon and do each other’s hair! Grab the hair gel and accessories. I wonder what wacky creations you can do!

5. Kids Rule!Sit down as a family and allow the children to make up the rules for the house for 1 day – you must then all agree to stick to them!

Top Tips

You don’t need to have an outcome in your play, being in the moment provides all those feel good chemicals! It is ok to miss the people you love and can’t see. Memory boxes can help with those big feelings and help us feel connected even though we can’t be with them.Stay Safe - Stay Home - and have fun

The role of the parent and carer is to support children to find out who they are and what they like to do. With this comes greater independence and responsibility, with children learning that they can still ask for help.Here are some activities to support healthy social and emotional development through creativity, art and play. Here are some creative activities that you can use with your child age up to 10 and beyond.

1. Pizza:Make and eat together your favourite pizza. Go wild with your ingredients. Try out what the food feels like and tastes like. You could even try a chocolate pizza!!

2. Face Mask Fun:Explore the sky, lie on the ground and see how many Create your own paper face masks together. You could do emotions of how you feel right now, animals, family members, friends, your favourite character.

3. It’s A Small World:Create an imaginary world in an old shoe box, use small world figures, pens, paint and anything you can find in your house.

4. Family Quiz Time:Each person has a topic to research and come up with 10 questions each.

5. Develop Your Senses!Go on a sensory walk around your house or garden. What can you see, hear, smell and feel?

Top Tips

Imagination can help manage big feelings for both children and adults. It’s ok to feel frustrated as the adult when times get hard – take a deep breath and have a cuppa. Remember – it’s ok to say no. Learning about boundaries is an important life skill

Online Safety