{"id":41266,"date":"2020-05-07T16:57:02","date_gmt":"2020-05-07T16:57:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordunited.com\/?p=41266"},"modified":"2020-05-15T14:00:47","modified_gmt":"2020-05-15T14:00:47","slug":"ways-to-support-childrens-wellbeing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordunited.com\/ways-to-support-childrens-wellbeing\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Ways to Support Children’s Wellbeing During COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"

In these uncertain times, the coronavirus pandemic is impacting daily life around the world. <\/span><\/span>Alt<\/span><\/span>hough the pandemic is something every<\/span><\/span>body is learning how <\/span><\/span>to cope with<\/span><\/span>, it may be especially difficult for children. <\/span><\/span>As stated on <\/span><\/span>GOV UK<\/span><\/span><\/a>, there are<\/span><\/span> many factors involved<\/span><\/span> in how your child will process the current events<\/span><\/span>, such as the age of your child, their communication needs and level of understanding<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span> Practicing kindness, mindfulness and gratitude <\/span><\/span>are a few things that may improve wellbeing, <\/span><\/span>as suggested in this <\/span><\/span>BBC article<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span> In the video above<\/span><\/span> and the blogpost below, you will find<\/span><\/span> some extra<\/span><\/span> tips for supporting your<\/span><\/span> children\u2019s<\/span><\/span> wellbeing<\/span><\/span> during COVID-19<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

1. Nurture Relationships and Communication<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Staying at home for work and school will be a new experience for many families and may take time to adjust to. <\/span><\/span>This can be an opportunity to nurture relationships with children, providing a safe and open space for communication. Wondering how to discuss Coronavirus with your children? Check out this fabulous social story<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Little ones can work on communication skills with free <\/span><\/span>printables<\/span><\/span> such as <\/span><\/span>Conversation Starter Prompts<\/span><\/span><\/a> and <\/span><\/span>Communication Fans<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span> There are also excellent learning resources like these <\/span><\/span>Conversation Dice<\/span><\/span><\/a> that develop speaking and listening skills. <\/span><\/span>Plus, the modern day enables many of us to interact with loved ones during lockdown through Skype, Fac<\/span><\/span>eTime and more.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

2. Learn a New Skill<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

With access to many online learning resources<\/span><\/span> and books<\/span><\/span>, now could be the perfect time to learn a new skill. <\/span><\/span>For example, children 9 years and above can learn how to bake and cook with <\/span><\/span>Usborne Beginner\u2019s Cookbook<\/span><\/span><\/a>, filled with different types of recipes for aspiring chefs to create. What’s more, you can find child-friendly baking tools here<\/a>!\u00a0<\/span><\/span>For mini musicians, <\/span><\/span>My First Keyboard Book<\/span><\/span><\/a> teaches children how to play with the keyboard attached to the book! You may also like to try excellent musical toys for kids such as this mini band set<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Maybe your child wants to learn a new language? Tr<\/span><\/span>y <\/span><\/span>WordUnited\u2019s<\/span><\/span> write and wipe <\/span><\/span>Flashcard Kits<\/span><\/span><\/a>, illustrated with vivid illustrations and <\/span><\/span>equipped<\/span><\/span> with dry-wipe pens<\/span><\/span>, stickers and more. Learning a language has never been easier!\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

3. Practice Kindness<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Performing acts of kindness can help make a difficult time a little bit easier. Worldwide, stories of people selflessly helping those in nee<\/span><\/span>d are surfacing and recognition of keyworkers <\/span><\/span>is <\/span><\/span>honoured<\/span><\/span> with a weekly <\/span><\/span>Clap for Carers<\/span><\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/span>To help <\/span><\/span>inspire<\/span><\/span> kindness, <\/span><\/span>WordUnited<\/span><\/span> have developed lovely free resources for children. <\/span><\/span>For example, n<\/span><\/span>urture positive mental health and wellbeing with this <\/span><\/span>Acts of Kindness board game<\/span><\/span><\/a>. This fun activity encourages children to be kind<\/span><\/span>, as children move their counters around the board landing on different kind <\/span><\/span>behaviours<\/span><\/span>. <\/span><\/span>From helping to tidy away toys to using manners or writing <\/a><\/span><\/span>a letter<\/a> to a friend, children will learn valuable life skills with this charming game. Moreover, this<\/span><\/span> sweet<\/span><\/span> activity sheet<\/span><\/span><\/a> ab<\/span><\/span>out being kind to yourself helps children learn how when you choose to focus on kind thoughts, <\/span><\/span>positivity<\/span><\/span>\u00a0to flourish and grow.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0Kids may also like to send their family and friends a Quentin Blake rainbow eCard, available for free here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

4. Mindfulness for Kids<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Being mindful and learning to focus on the present can be <\/span><\/span>a wonderful tool in supporting wellbeing. <\/span><\/span>Mindful Kids<\/span><\/span><\/a> cards are ideal for nurturing inner peace and strength for children.<\/span><\/span> They are usefully designed to be used anytime of the day, with beautiful illustrations and simple instructions for children with a wide range of abilities! Plus, watch Mindful Moments Mondays<\/a>\u00a0for weekly mindfulness videos for kids.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Activities such as <\/span><\/span>colouring<\/span><\/span> sheets can also be calming and mindful. Check out free <\/span><\/span>colouring<\/span><\/span> sheets on <\/span><\/span>WordUnited\u2019s<\/span><\/span> Free Resourc<\/span><\/span>es Hub<\/span><\/span><\/a> and discover a range of brilliant activity books for kids <\/span><\/span>here<\/span><\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/span>You can read more about mindful activities to help kids feel calm on <\/span><\/span>CBeebies<\/span><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

5. Ensure Kids Get Enough Sleep<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Ensuring children get enough sleep can positively impact their physical and mental wellbeing. <\/span><\/span>As stated by <\/span><\/span>Kids Health<\/span><\/span><\/a>, sleep allows children to rest. <\/span><\/span>To see how much sleep <\/span><\/span>is recommended for <\/span><\/span>children <\/span><\/span>of<\/span><\/span> different ages, <\/span><\/span>ta<\/span><\/span>ke a look<\/span><\/span> at <\/span><\/span>this article<\/span><\/span><\/a> from the<\/span><\/span> NHS<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span> Children can benefit from a nighttime routine that enables them to unwind before bedtime. Th<\/span><\/span>e <\/span><\/span>NHS<\/span><\/span><\/a> also<\/span><\/span> suggests <\/span><\/span>reading books, removing screens from the bedroom, listening to relaxing music or practicing breathing exercises <\/span><\/span>to help promote healthy sleep routines. Wind down at bedtime with WordUnited’s wide selection of\u00a0books for kids<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

6. Physical Activities for Kids<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Keeping active helps children to develop strong, healthy muscles and motor skills. Indoor activities for kids such as <\/span><\/span>Yoga Pretzels<\/span><\/span><\/a> cards<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>treasure hunts<\/span><\/span><\/a> and <\/span><\/span>skittles<\/span><\/span><\/a> can provide hours of enjoyment. Keep up to date with Yoga Pretzels videos<\/a> for kids each Friday! Discover more indoor activities for kids in this <\/span><\/span>blogpost<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

If it is possible to get outdoors, whether it is in the garden, going out for a daily walk or <\/span><\/span>bike ride<\/span><\/span>, spending time outside in the fresh air can have a positive impact on wellbeing. <\/span><\/span>Perhaps you are planning on doing a spot of gardening this weekend? Kids can <\/span><\/span>help out<\/span><\/span> with child-friendly gardening tools of their own, whilst learning about nature and exploring the world around them. Check out these cute garden <\/span><\/span>hand tools<\/span><\/span><\/a> designed for little ones with green fingers<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span> Children may also enjoy larger gardening tools, such as this <\/span><\/span>long handled leaf rake<\/span><\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/span>Skipping ropes<\/span><\/span><\/a> are also fantastic for combining fun with exercise if you have access to an outdoor space.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Talk About Feelings<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Learning and talking about feelings may help children to process the different emotions they may be feeling. Adjusting to new routines and rules during the Coronavirus outbreak may <\/span>bring up new feelings for many children. To help support this, there are some incredible b<\/span>ooks<\/span> such as <\/span>A Book of Feelings<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>How Do You Feel?<\/span><\/a> that explain emotions in a child-friendly way. <\/span>Online r<\/span>esources such as <\/span>Emotions Board Game<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Emotions & Feeling Activity <\/span>S<\/span>heet<\/span><\/a> are excellent free <\/span>printables<\/span> to <\/span>help kids learn about different emotions. <\/span>Additionally, learning resources such as <\/span>Emoji Dice<\/span><\/a> are fantastic for motivating little ones to talk about their f<\/span>eelings.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Moreover, c<\/span>reate at-home \u2018Emotion Face Masks<\/a>\u2019 demonstrated in the above video to support little ones on their journey to <\/span>recognising<\/span> feelings. These masks are excellent for children of all ages and abilities to make and use.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What you\u2019ll need:\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n