Health and Wellbeing
As you know, the positive physical and mental health and wellbeing of our children is the single most important focus at St. Stephen's. Supported, happy children learn and thrive and with this in mind, we have a number of resources available to our whole school community that we'd like to share.
Please scroll down to find a wealth of guides, information, programmes and handy tips to help keep you and your children in the very best of physical and mental health.
You are invited to the Children's Wellbeing Service Coffee Morning
What The Children's Wellbeing Service Does…
The Children's Well;being Service offers two programmes for
- parents who would like support with managing their child’s anxiety
- parents who would like support with managing their child’s everyday tricky behaviour
The anxiety programme consists of eight sessions - four face to face sessions (each an hour long) and four shorter phone sessions (up to half an hour long).
The behaviour programme consists of nine sessions - five face to face sessions (each an hour long) and four shorter phone sessions (up to half an hour long).
These sessions aim to empower parents/carers by helping them understand their child’s difficulties and by providing tools and coping strategies they can use with their child. We call this Guided Self-Help.
To sign up to the Coffee Morning on Monday, October 18th please click here.
#SelfcareSummer Primary Resource
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Self-care is about what you can do to help yourself feel better or to keep yourself feeling good. The #SelfcareSummer Primary Resource is full of fun activities designed to help children look after their mental health and wellbeing while enjoying themselves. It also signposts them and their families to additional support if they need it. It’s all part of the Centre's #SelfcareSummer campaign which highlights activities, support and advice every day throughout the summer. It includes Challenge Tuesdays where young people can share their artwork, photography, poems, crafts or activities to help support their wellbeing over the summer. |
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Resources to help our children thrive!
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Lying is one of those red-flag behaviours that we hate to see in our kids. But it’s also common for kids to tell lies at some point in their development. They do it for lots of different reasons — to dodge punishment, to get something they want, to avoid hurting someone’s feelings, to get attention, or just to see what happens. This week on childmind.org we explore the most effective ways to respond to lies of various kinds, and at various ages. We also discuss how to prevent lying in advance, by incentivising honesty even in situations where telling the truth might be painful. And we’ve rounded up strategies to deal with related behaviour issues, including respecting boundaries, telling on other kids, bullying, and learning to be generous. The Child Mind Institute is an independent, national nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders. Our teams work every day to deliver the highest standards of care, advance the science of the developing brain and empower parents, professionals and policymakers to support children when and where they need it most. |
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Man&Boy
Every boy needs a positive male role model in their life, and especially during childhood. This relationship is most commonly filled by their dad but when this isn’t possible, another significant man in a boy’s life could take this place. MAN&BOY offer a number of opportunities designed to build trust and confidence between men & boys, to create strong and positive relationships. The video gives you a flavour of how MAN&BOY works. MAN&BOY recognises that ALL children, regardless of age or gender can benefit hugely from the positive, on-going involvement of a significant adult male in their lives and research has shown that this involvement has proven benefits. Improvements in educational attainment, increased self-esteem, better health outcomes as well as improved behaviour are all identified as potential positive outcomes. MAN&BOY currently concentrates on supporting boys aged between 9 and 12 ( school years 5,6,7 & 8 ) as we believe that this transition from junior to secondary school is particularly important in a boy’s life and that a supportive, encouraging male role model can make a huge difference to their self-esteem. We are planning to offer two courses, two camps and half-day events again from April-July 2021.
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Exercise those Demons Away
Resistance can be a sign of anxiety. So many children are saying no right now, whilst their parents tear their hair out. We’re in the middle of the most anxiety-provoking time globally our children (and us!) have ever experienced. Many children are hyper-aroused, and they show this with anger and resistance. If parents react with anger, then the child becomes even more anxious and more resistant.
It’s a time where parents need to take a deep breath and stay calm, even whilst their children shout and rage. Seeing a tantrum as a panic attack can help us to stay compassionate even when faced by outrageous and unreasonable behaviour.
Help children manage their anxiety by providing space for them to talk about their feelings. Talk about how anxiety is a normal human reaction in this situation, and many millions of people are worrying and having trouble sleeping right now. The best thing we know for anxiety is exercise, and many children are doing less exercise now that they are stuck in. There are exercise apps for smartphones and exercise games on consoles. Put some music on and dance. If they say no, you do it anyway. One day they may join in.
Not only is physical activity integral to a child’s physical health, but it is also critical for their mental health. Physical activity pumps blood through the body and provide energy for thinking and creating, which leads to increased performance in the classroom.
So how can you get those kids up and about? Keep reading for some entertaining ideas.
15 fun fitness activities for kids
Getting kids to “work out” can be challenging. But there’s no need to stick to run-of-the-mill, boring exercises like jumping jacks, push-ups and sprints. We put together a list of some fun and creative fitness activities for kids that will get them moving in no time at all.
1. Go on a bear hunt
“I’m Going on a Bear Hunt”? While this song can easily be sung while sitting on a tree stump at camp, there’s also opportunity to make the whole song more active. Act out the different motions: swim across the lake, climb up the tree and stomp over the bridge. This activity gets especially entertaining when you’re scurrying away from the bear at the end.
2. Play follow the leader
This classic game never gets old, and you don’t need any equipment to play. Let your kiddos take turns being the leader, directing the others to match their every move. Encourage them to get active by hopping, skipping, crawling, shuffling and using their imaginations.
3. Have a dance party
Pop in your favourite tunes, crank up the volume and get moving and grooving! For extra fun, kill the lights and turn on some fun lighting, like a disco ball or some lava lamps. Kids can compete for best dance move, or you can simply make up a dance to an entire song.
4. Create a scavenger hunt
Hide things all over the backyard or throughout the house and have kids race to find each clue. If you want to sneak even more exercise into this activity, include requirements with each clue, like “Do four cartwheels before moving on,” or “Make up a funny dance.” This activity is fun because it can be elaborate and long or short and sweet.
5. Use a Wii Fit
What a wonderful world of technology we live in today. Instead of letting your kids sit for hours in front of the television playing video games, leverage that love for technology and get them going with a Wii Fit game! There are all sorts of fun and active kids’ games out there such as Just Dance Kids, Nickelodeon Fit and many more!
6. Draw a maze in the garden
Chalk can help you create beautiful masterpieces, but it can also assist in some fun fitness activities. Draw an elaborate, detailed maze all over the garden, then let your little ones run (or race) through it! This activity encourages fitness and creativity at the same time!
7. Animal walks
Use your imaginations to come up with different types of animal walks! Imitate bears walking, or run fast like a cheetah. Waddle like a penguin, or pretend to swim through the ocean like a dolphin.
8. Have pillow fight
It’s an age-old activity, and pretty much every little kid’s dream! We recommend using pillows other than the feather-filled versions, unless you enjoy having a house covered in feathers.
9. Make an obstacle course
Using couch cushions, pots and pans, and plenty of other household objects, construct an engaging and challenging obstacle course. Kids can climb under blankets stretched between the couch and coffee table, or they can somersault across the living room. Take this kind of play outside if you want more room to move around.
10. Wheelbarrow or crab walk races
These tough, yet funny positions are both fun to attempt and hilarious to watch. Have kids race from one end of the yard to another, or time a pair to see how long it takes them to wheelbarrow around the house three times.
11. Clean-up race
What could be better than fun exercises for kids that benefit both their bodies and your house? Pick a room or assign the whole house and see which kid can clean up the most. This exercise is practical enough that you could employ a “clean-up race” in your kids’ rooms every day.
12. Go for a hike or nature walk
Who says walking long distances has to be boring? Pick a scenic trail, strap on your hiking boots and explore the outdoors! Go for a nature walk in a park, by a pond, or in the woods and investigate the landscape. Do a little research beforehand, and the exercise doubles as an academic lesson.
13. Red light, green light
It’s an oldie, but a goody! Play the “red light, green light” game in the garden, and help kids exercise and learn about following directions. Add colour visuals by making a red or green sign to help children learn about colour as well!
14. Hula Hooping:
For some reason, children love hula hoops!
Get your children some hula hoops and start hooping with them. Just teach them how to do it and we promise you that they won’t be able to get enough.
15. Blow off that steam!
We’re used to the tantrums our kids throw, right? What if I told you that you asking them to throw these temper tantrums on purpose when they’re in a good mood will actually help them both psychologically and physically?
It may sound a bit crazy, but when they kick and run and jump and scream, they’re getting tired out because of the energy they’re spending.
This also helps them get out all their pent up anger and emotion without them even realising it.
It’s time to get moving
Now you know that exercise doesn’t have to be boring. Start implementing these ideas into your child’s routine and emphasise the importance of being active. These activities may seem silly, but you’ll start laying the groundwork for a healthy, happy life.
By keeping active, even in the simplest ways, children can support each part of their body and their brain for optimum learning and growth.
The views of parents, children and young people receiving SEN Support
Achieving for Children would like to hear the views of children/young people and parents/carers who have a child or young person receiving support from a setting/school/college for a special educational need (SEN Support - this is the level of support for a child or young person who does not have an EHC Plan).
This feedback will feed into continued improvements to best support children and young people.
Adults, parents and carers - Please click here to feedback your views.
Children - please click here to feedback your views.
Practical steps to help children manage their fears and worries:
We work closely with Child and Young People’s Wellbeing Service. The service offers a variety of resources and workshops for families who may need support.
They recently ran a parent workshop – Supporting your Child with Anxiety – and have uploaded this to their YouTube channel. https://youtu.be/mxVpykpZGko
You can also click on the workbook below to find out more:
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Achieving for Children have launched a new Resource Hub to help children, young people and their families with their emotional wellbeing. Waiting times for support are increasing and it is important that a wider range of support is available for children and young people when they need it.
These online self help resources include pre-recorded video workshops, helplines, online counselling and information leaflets.
We will be adding further information regularly so do keep checking back or if you have any suggestions do get in touch.
The Resource Hub is set out under themes to help you understand which services and support is available or might be useful under different circumstances. Each heading below is a link to the sections in the Resource Hub.
Thriving and prevention - community initiatives that support mental wellness, emotional wellbeing and resilience of the whole population (opens a new window)
Getting advice and signposting - focuses on children, young people and families who may require temporary support within the community, access to information and self management resources (opens a new window)
Getting help - focuses on children, young people and families who would benefit from focused, evidence based treatment (opens a new window)
Getting more help - the focus is on children, young people and families who would benefit from extensive long term treatment. Some conditions such as psychosis, eating disorders, emerging personality disorders and complex neurodevelopmental needs (opens a new window)
Getting risk support - the focus is on those who have not benefited from or are unable to use help, but are of such a risk they are still in contact with services (opens a new window)
Getting Ready for School
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Growth Mindset Programme for schools
The Emotional Health Service have developed a 10 week programme around growth mindset and resilience for schools to send out to parents and young people there is a different version for primary and secondary.
Please click here to find the first of three pre-recorded workshops for parents and carers.
Primary Resources Primary
Week 1 resources
Week 2 resources
Week 3 PDF
Week 4 PDF
Week 5 PDF
KS3
Week 1 resources
Week 2 resources
Week 3 PowerPoint
Week 3 Word Document
Week 4 Word Document
Week 4 PowerPoint
Week 5 Word Document
Week 5 PowerPoint
Supporting children and young people through bereavement and loss in relation to COVID-19
AC Education have been working with their face to face trainers to provide thoughts on coping with the current situation. This free video from Christina Enright talks about supporting children and adolescents through bereavement and loss in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Click here to view.
Wellbeing Guidance while the school is closed
The school closures are out of the ordinary for all of us, but for those children with anxiety or additional needs, it can be really upsetting. Please read on to find some resources that may be helpful for parent carers of children and young people.
- Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families - Top tips to help families work together and support one another during the coronavirus outbreak
- National Autistic Society – guidance and helpline for parents’, young people and staff:https://www.autism.org.uk/services/nas-schools/vanguard/news/2020/march/coronavirus-(covid-19)-advice.aspx
- Mencap - Easy Read guide to Coronavirus: https://www.mencap.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-03/Information%20about%20Coronavirus%20ER%20SS2.pdf
- Place2Be – Guide to helping parents answer questions from their children and to support family wellbeing: https://www.place2be.org.uk/about-us/news-and-blogs/2020/march/coronavirus-information-for-children/
- Young Minds - Talking to your child about Coronavirus and 10 tips from their Parents Helpline to support family wellbeing: https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/talking-to-your-child-about-coronavirus/
- Carers UK - Guidance for carers: https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/health/looking-after-your-health/coronavirus-covid-19
- Covibook – an interactive resource designed to support and reassure children aged 7 and under, designed to help children explain and draw the emotions that they might be experiencing during the pandemic: https://www.mindheart.co/descargables
- Amaze - information pack for parents https://amazesussex.org.uk/faqs-about-the-coronavirus-for-parent-carers-of-children-with-send-brighton-hove/
- Public Health England have produced an easy read version of their Advice on the coronavirus for places of education. You can download it here.
Please click here for a guide to wellbeing and SEND services and support.
You can also click here for further information fro the NHS about Coronavirus and how to protect your mental health.
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