5 Ways to Boost Children’s Wellbeing

Wellbeing is a popular term nowadays but what does it mean and how can we ensure our children have it? Our physical, mental, emotional and social health are all equally important and all contribute to our wellbeing. 

Here are five practices that you can adopt to improve children’s wellbeing:

1. Physical activity

Exercise is essential for everyone, especially children. There are a lot of benefits gained from exercising, including that it fosters a positive mood and releases the stress of the day. After a day of thinking, children need to be outside in the fresh air either playing sport or simply playing.

PE with Joe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAxW1XT0iEJo0TYlRfn6rYQ

Johnny Jump Start: https://www.jumpstartjonny.co.uk/home

Cosmic kids yoga sessions: https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga 

CSSP active episodes : (51) Croydon SSP - YouTube

2. Technology time

There is so much technology available to children nowadays but it is important to limit the time children spend having screentime. Setting clear and consistent guidelines from an early age makes it much easier to reinforce these limits. Most technology has timers so it easy for children to know when their time is up!

3. Building internal self value

Games to support self expression: https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/

Building confidence and self esteem: https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/feelings-emotions/building-confidence-self-esteem/

Wall of expression :https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/games/wall-of-expression/

4. Sleep

Sleep is an important element in maintaining good mental and physical wellbeing. Ensuring your child gets enough sleep each night is one of the most important practices you can develop as a parent. It is never too late to establish a night time routine. This may include a bath, reading a story or listening to quiet music. Make sure the technology gets turned off one or two hours before bedtime to allow your child’s brain to unwind and relax.

Sleep clip for younger children:

Sleep clip for older children:

5. Build resilience

Being resilient is one of the most important qualities to develop in children. The ability to learn from mistakes and accept feedback, be persistent and not give up easily will help maintain a positive wellbeing in children. Through modelling these qualities yourself, parents and educators can help children bounce back and move past mistakes and problems. Letting go is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy wellbeing.

If you feel your child or someone in your family needs more specialised support there are various services that can help you.

Please see below useful links to websites and organisations who offer support:

Kent Educational Psychology Service

Due to school closures relating to the coronavirus, for a limited period of time Kent Educational Psychology Service are offering free consultations via video/phone call for 30 minutes, where parents/carers can talk to an educational psychologist.

The aim of this service is to provide advice and guidance to support children’s wellbeing and learning during the time of school closures. Topics or areas that you may wish to discuss could include:

• Anxiety around the current situation and its impact on your children and family.  Supporting your children’s emotional needs.
• Concerns about family relationships.
• Concerns about friendships, learning, daily structure and sleep routines.
• How you can best look after yourself to support your children.
• Preparing for the transition back to school.

If you would like to make use of this service, please contact: kepscommunitysupport@kent.gov.uk

When you e-mail, please give: - your name; - phone number; - the time of day that would be most convenient to be called back (i.e. morning, afternoon, early evening); - a brief description of what you wish to discuss.

They will do their best to respond within two working days but this may be subject to availability.

Young Minds offers free support to children young people struggling with isolation, coronavirus and the impact on their mental health.

https://youngminds.org.uk/

Young minds parent helpline 0808 802 5544

Text the YoungMinds Crisis Messenger for free 24/7 support across the UK if you are experiencing a mental health crisis. 

• If you need urgent help, text YM to 85258.
• All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors.
• Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.

Trauma Council https://uktraumacouncil.org/resource/promoting-psychological-recovery-and-wellbeing-for-children-and-young-peoplehttps

https://uktraumacouncil.org/resource/promoting-psychological-recovery-and-wellbeing-for-children-and-young-people

Contact- Free helpline and website for families

0808 808 3555 contact.org.uk

Mind UK- Charity supporting mental health Mind.org.uk

Family Action- Free helpline for families 0808 802 6666 2

Kooth- Counselling app for young people

The Samaritans 116 123

National Autistic Helpline 0808 800 4104 www.autism.org.uk