At Amblecote Primary, we have links with a Charity, Arts of Change, who provide a counsellor to support the mental well-being of our pupils, staff and parents. In addition to this valuable resource we have recently liaised with them to provide drama workshops for selected children to support their self-esteem and confidence. If you feel that your child or even your may benefit from this support, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
The Mental Health Leader at school is Mrs M Pickett – mpickett@amblecote.dudley.sch.uk
The 5 ways to Wellbeing
Here are the 5 ways to wellbeing that we have been exploring in school. If you give them a try, you may feel happier, more positive and able to get the most from life.
Connect – connect with the people around you: your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. Spend time developing these relationships.
Be active – you don’t have to go to the gym. Take a walk, go cycling or play a game of football. Find an activity that you enjoy and make it a part of your life.
Keep learning – learning new skills can give you a sense of achievement and a new confidence. So why not have a go at cooking something new, start learning to play a musical instrument, or figure out how to fix your bike?
Give to others – even the smallest act can count, whether it’s a smile, a thank you or a kind word. Larger acts, such as volunteering at your local community centre, can improve your mental wellbeing and help you build new social networks.
Take Notice – be more aware of the present moment, including your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you. Some people call this awareness “mindfulness”. It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.
Sleep Anxiety in Children
Click on the link for ten top tips to support your child in getting to sleep:
A Parents Guide to Emotional and Social Learning
Edutopia shares some interesting information and resources about promoting kindness and empathy:
https://www.edutopia.org/SEL-parents-resources
I’m Bored!
Click on the links for some activities that may be helpful when your children tell you they’re bored!
Gingerbread – Single Parents, Equal Families
This organisation hosts some valuable tips and advice for single parent families. It’s important you take care not only of your children, but of yourself.
https://www.gingerbread.org.uk/information/you-and-your-childs-wellbeing/
Taking care of your mental health during lockdown
‘Being a parent can be challenging in everyday situations. Now, more than ever, taking care of your mental health is important. Staying at home more or having to work during a difficult situation can put different pressures on everyone. And if you’re struggling, it’s okay to reach out for support from friends, families and organisations that are here to help .’
Changes to our mental health can sometimes affect children and their well-being. They may pick up on your anxiety or low mood. This doesn’t mean you should hide or minimise your feelings. You can try to explain them using phrases like, “It’s ok to get big feelings, everyone gets big feelings but it’s still the grown up’s job to look after the children” or “If grown-up’s get big feelings it’s not your fault – we can ask other grown-ups for help with our feelings.”
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/mental-health-parenting/
Managing your wellbeing as a parent
Click on the link for some great tips for parents about how to manage your wellbeing during lockdown:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zrmhscw
Yoga Class for Parents and Children
You may enjoy doing this yoga class with your child/ren.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iVF-ATCVrk&feature=emb_logo
Boosting Children’s Wellbeing during the COVID-19 Pandemic
During the Covid-19 pandemic, we’re all feeling less secure and missing our usual routines. But just as doing exercise improves physical health, you and your child can do activities to boost their mental health.
Techniques for Keeping Children Calm
Try these simple relaxation and mindfulness activities together and help your child learn to calm down when they feel stressed or anxious.
Even very young children can feel stressed and anxious, especially during times of change or upheaval. Luckily, there are lots of simple activities you can do together to help your little one learn to calm themselves.
Being able to recognise and cope with anxiety is a skill that will benefit children for life – try these simple, calming activities together and see which ones work for you.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/joinin/seven-techniques-for-helping-kids-keep-calm
Don’t Shout At Me!
How to support your child’s well-being
Further resources:
- Mental Health Parent Leaflet
- 10 keys to happier living
- The Anxious Child
- Depression Guidance for Young People
- Self-harm in children and Young People
- Worry Doll Instructions
- Mental Health in Children with Autism – A Parents Guide
- How to Recognise Anxiety
Bereavement & Loss
Please click on the links below to open up websites or leaflets that may be useful during this time
- Understanding grief
- When a grandparent dies – the impact on children and young people
- After-the-death-of-someone-very-close
- When your parent dies – insights for bereaved adults
- Child Bereavement Network
- Grief Encounters – helping Children Through Bereavement
- Grieving Support – An Ultimate Guide to Bereavement
- Hope Again – Young People Living After Loss
- Winston’s Wish – Giving Hope to Grieving Children
- Children’s Understanding of death
- Understanding Funerals and Burials
- What-helps-grieving-children-and-young-people-1
- Telling a child that someone has died
- How to explain death to a child and young people
If you wish, you can complete the following form and return it to school, or message school with this information, so that we can support you child through this difficult time
Useful Websites
