Helping you and your child cope with feelings about going back to school.
Lots of children and young people are worried about schools returning. This might include your child. Your child might have experienced less stress when schools were closed and now they are worried about going back. It might be your child is anxious about COVID-19 and needs support to cope with anxiety ready for schools to return.
There are lots resources available to help you and your children at this unusual start to the school year.
Lots of help and advise is available on
https://www.barnardos.org.uk/support-hub/back-school-strategies-coping-feelings
Welling for parents and children
Looking after your own mental health and well being is an important part of being a parent and carer. Parenting is a full time job - as well as the rewards it can be tiring and stressful. If you feel low or stressed - it can feel even harder.
Even very young children are tuned in to how their parents are feeling and will worry about you. They may not be able to explain this. They might instead start ‘acting out’ or seem sad and clingy. The whole family benefits when parents take care of themselves.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zrmhscw
On this page there will be weekly updates with ideas how to look after your own and your child's well-being.
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.
Click on the link to complete a yoga activity with your child
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_3weVPH0-U&vl=en-GB
Mindfulness colouring is a relaxing and calming activity which can also encourage children to explore their creativity while improving fine motor skills. Mindfulness colouring is great way for us to relax and focus our attention too.
Minfulness Colouring In Sheets - Plenty of lovely animal pictures that can be downloaded for free.
More Mindfulness Colouring Pages - On here there are some beautiful intricate designs that can be printed for children and adults.
Mindfulness Activities - A list of 5-10 minute mindfulness activities you children could do daily.
Happen Survey
Parents across Wales have been invited to participate in a HAPPEN survey, to identify how changes to our routines are affecting the health and wellbeing of children in Wales.
Your participation in this survey is optional. Please read the data information sheet before completion. Please see the information and link below.
'During this time, we believe it is important to understand how changes in our normal routines are affecting the health and wellbeing of young people in Wales. We are working with the HAPPEN primary school network to look at the health and wellbeing of our pupils over this period. The responses given will be used to inform help and support needed for children and families.
If you would be happy to run the survey with your children please click on this link to access the survey and information sheet: https://happen-wales.co.uk/thehappensurvey/
Thank you very much for your help and support. We will send a report to your school regarding your pupils and general child wellbeing in Wales. '