Friday, 5 March 2021
With schools still closed, the past year has offered the young minds among us a far from average routine. With their learning being challenged, their favourite sports or activities on hold and the inability to head out and see their friends - it’s easy to see why their mental health may be affected.
We’re all used to finding ways to help our own mental health and boost those moods as adults, but how do we help our children through these challenging times too?
Children's Mental Health Week is on a mission to shine a light on the importance of children and young people’s mental wellbeing. To help you support your young minds, here are our top ways to keep them happy and healthy.
Unleash creativity
This year’s theme for Children’s Mental Health Week is ‘Express Yourself’. This is all about finding ways to share feelings, ideas and thoughts through creativity. Doing activities and exploring those creative sides is not only brilliant for development, but it’s a real mood booster.
Whether your young ones have an eye for drawing, an ear for music or love to dance, encouraging these creative passions can really help them explore their emotions in ways talking may not.
If you’re looking for ways to get creative and try new activities. We’ve put together a whole host of resources to have a go at. From designing your own train of the future to relaxing with some colouring. Take a look here and find a new way to entertain your family.
Build positive routines
While we’re all stuck at home and school has taken to Zoom, we can understand that those usual routines are nowhere in sight right now. But trying to reintroduce some kind of routine in the form of exercise, sleep and eating can really help to bring structure to their days while keeping on top of their physical health too.
If you’re struggling to get bedtimes accepted or healthy meals aren’t on their chosen menu, then why not try making them fun experiences? We’ve put together a handy day planner so your little one can create their very own timetable each day. Daily Planner PDF
Encouraging their interests
While your children’s favourite activities may not be able to go ahead at the moment. There’s still a variety of ways to encourage and pursue their passions, or even discover new ones.
Do your young ones have an interest in railways or engineering? Why not take a look at Network Rail’s host of educational resources which may spark some interest, or head over to our Youtube channel to find interviews with our very own EMR colleagues and discover what a future as a train driver could be like.
For more tips and advice, Every Mind Matters has a wealth of material from spotting if someone is struggling to ways you can get involved with your young people’s lives more. Find out more here