Information published by the World Health Organisation and the UK Parliament show that there have been spikes in feelings of anxiety, depression and loneliness as a result of the pandemic across both adults and children. Because of this, it has become even more important to learn how to take care of our mental health and wellbeing.
So, how do we help children overcome their worries and breakdown their barriers? We have come up with a few ways that you can help and teach children how to look after and nurture their mental health and wellbeing.
Indoor Mindfulness Resources
Mindfulness is a calming technique used by individuals to help them bring them into the present moment. This is an effective way of aiding individuals in changing their perspective on how they are feeling or have been feeling by encouraging sensory exploration of what is directly occurring around them.
Crystal Polydron
The Crystal Polydron Sets are an excellent way of encouraging mindfulness through play, especially when tasked with patterning or sequencing activities whilst using a light table or light source. Pattern play encourages children to focus their attention on the activity they are doing, using their energy to find the correct colours or shapes to maintain or fulfil a pattern. This can also help children find a sense of control if they are feeling anxious or stressed.
Calming Strategy Posters
A calming corner is an essential in any learning environment, providing children (and staff!) with a designated area where they can relax and decompress. Having a designated safe space is a great way for children to learn how to regulate their emotions by giving them an area where it is okay to feel the big feelings that they may be experiencing. The Carson Dellosa Calming Strategy Poster Set is a great way to help encourage exploration of these bigger feelings within their dedicated area, by providing children with a gentle prompt for when their feelings are too large for words.
Outdoor Team Building Resources
One of the best ways to tackle feeling blue is to spend some time in the great outdoors. Studies have shown that participating in outdoor, nature-based activities with groups of other people is a great way of tackling anxiety and enhance your mood.
Constructa Den & Giant Polydron
The Educational Advantage Constructa Den and Giant Polydron sets give children the opportunity to get outside and enjoy the natural wonders of the world around them. Not only will the fresh air give children a new perspective on the problems they may be encountering by reducing feelings of anxiety, but it will also help change an individual’s perspective by literally taking them out of the situation that may have been causing them distress.
Constructing a den or working together with friends on Giant Polydron creations will also help with the release of those much-needed endorphins, produced from time spent engaged in playful, physical activity – with a side of much needed laughter!
Let’s Talk
Reminding children that they are safe to talk about their feelings is easier said than done, which is why we have come up with a few ways in which you may be able to help encourage children to talk about how they are feeling through play.
In small groups, ask children to identify the emotion they have picked up on the cards and ask them to discuss reasons why you may feel this way or situations where they have felt this way with their friends. You could even go a step further and ask the groups of children to identify ways in which they could deal with the negative emotions that they may have identified, or to think and feel about how they are feeling in that moment and if it corresponds with the card they have picked up. These games are a great way of exploring feelings and how an individual is currently feeling in relation to others, in a low-pressure environment.
Conclusion
It is so important to give children the tools to help them look after their mental health and wellbeing, as this will lay the foundation for their mental strength and resilience for their future. We hope that you have enjoyed these suggestions and ideas of ways in which you can introduce mindfulness into play.
Explore our range of products designed to help children to look after and nurture their mental health and wellbeing here.