Meon Junior School Children's Mental Health Week Parent Support Guide February 2021
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Meon Junior School
Children's Mental Health Week
Parent Support Guide
February 2021
Dear parents and carers,
This week is Children's Mental Health Week.
On Wednesday 3rd February we are having 'inside out day'. We are encouraging everyone to wear an item
of clothing inside out. This is to act as a reminder that how someone else looks on the outside doesn’t
necessarily reflect how they are feeling on the inside and that we need to be kind to each other. If your child
is in school, they may wear non-uniform on this day (with one item inside out) and we would encourage
children at home to join us by also wearing an item of clothing inside out. Some of the learning activities on
this day will be linked to Children's Mental Health and wellbeing.
This year’s theme for Children's Mental Health Week is Express Yourself.
We know that this is a tough time for everyone and expressing yourself is about finding ways to share feelings,
thoughts, or ideas, through creativity. This could be through art, music, writing and poetry, dance and drama,
photography and film, and doing activities that make you feel good.
It’s important to remember that being able to express yourself is not about being the best at something or
putting on a performance for others. It is about finding a way to show who you are, and how you see the
world, that can help you feel good about yourself.
In this document you will find a number of resources you can use this week as well as at any time to support
you and your family with the mental health of your child.
We hope these help you, keep going - you are all doing a fabulous job and we are always here to help and
support you.
Warmest regards
Mrs Sara Paine
Headteacher of Meon Junior School
1. Managing Stress Here are a variety of ideas to support your child with their mental health.
1 - Top Sleep Tips for Children Some top tips for parents in helping your child get to sleep.
2 - Resources from Children's Mental Health
You can find lots of tips for parents and activities to do with your children which is part of the Children's Mental
Health Week website.
Parents and Carers - Children's Mental Health Week 2021
3 - Super Mood Movers Videos
This page contains ten new Super Mood Movers videos, created in partnership with Children in Need and the
Premier League, to enhance the wellbeing of your class with irresistibly catchy songs and easy-to-follow dance
routines.
Super Mood Movers - BBC Teach
5. The Emotional Cup
So much of what we do in our daily interactions can fill a child’s ‘emotional cup’ – greeting them warmly,
sharing a funny story, giving them time to talk about their interests, appreciating their efforts and conveying
empathy for their feelings.
The emotional cup is a helpful way to explain to your child why it is important for them to identify how they’re
feeling, to come to you if they’re running on empty, and what they can do to ensure their cup is always full.
Emphasise the importance of always taking care of themselves and their mental health.
6. 20 Things to say instead of stop crying
Children’s emotions can seem big and unpredictable at times. Although these can be natural parts of
developing mind, it’s easy for us to be drawn into a ‘fixer’ role and want to make the crying stop. Here are 10
different ways to acknowledge and validate their emotions, while also giving them the words to make sense of
what they are feeling.
7 - EYFS/KS1- Feeling Better
A collection of clips presented by Dr Radha Moghil that explore a whole range of feelings and emotions, as well
as providing talking points and tools to feel better.
EYFS / KS1: Feeling Better - BBC Teach
8 - The Brain Lab- KS2
A collection of short films on mindset and mindfulness. Five of the films introduce us to one of the five steps to
wellbeing, with the sixth film 'The Brain House' using animation to look at what is happening inside our brain
when we feel 'big' emotions.
PSHE KS2: The Brain Lab - BBC Teach
9. The Stress Relief Giraffe
The Stress Relief Giraffe offers a clear visual for young people to describe their level of stress as well as some
tips for coping.10 - 5 Minute Mindfulness
5 Minute Mindfulness Series 31 Five Minute Mindfulness child friendly segments sharing 31 different strategies
to use to explore #mindfulness.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp3WNwYP2umKrBYZ9Wn7ViFp9fUazpy_f
11 - Every Mind Matters- Parent Support from the NHS
There are times when we all feel the strain. As parents and carers, there are ways we can support children and
young people to give them the best chance to stay mentally healthy.
Some children and young people have enjoyed being off school, while others will have really struggled – with
the coronavirus outbreak keeping them at home and away from friends. Others may be coming to terms with
family problems, loss or changes to their living situation.
With nationwide and local restrictions being regularly reviewed, they may also have to deal with self-isolating
because of an outbreak in school or another period of school closure, or have worries about getting or passing
on the virus. It's still uncertain what further changes we all may face.
Feelings like these will gradually ease for most, but there are always steps you can take to support them
emotionally and help them cope with problems they face.
There's support available if you feel you or they need it. (Click the Link)
Children's mental health | Every Mind Matters | One You (www.nhs.uk)12- Anxiety
Often when we picture anxiety, we picture the ‘typical’ symptoms – worrying, overthinking, panic attacks etc.
However, anxiety can present itself in a lot of different ways. It’s important for us to recognise that anxiety is
often more than just worrying. A child who appears to be oppositional or aggressive may be reacting to anxiety
– anxiety that may not be able to articulate effectively, or not even fully recognise their feelings.12 - NSPCC Support
Mental health and parenting | NSPCC
Coronavirus has changed lots of things about family life. And we know that some parents and carers might be
worried about how to manage stress and changes to their daily routines. It's important to remember that
everyone copes with change and stress in different ways. We've got some hints and tips you might find helpful.You can also read
