Emotional wellbeing support for primary-school-aged children
The resources, information and fun activities within this page are for primary-aged-children to access with their family or a member of school staff. It is not intended for children to access the sites and resources on their own.
Fun activities
Place2Be – provides wellbeing activities that children and families can do together.
Family virtual days out during coronavirus – here are some examples of virtual days out families can access, including zoos and museums.
Health for Kids – offer a fun, engaging and interactive way for children to learn about health. Find games, articles and lots more right here.
Relaxation and Mindfulness activities
Every Mind Matters – progressive muscle relaxation
Headspace – Take a Mindful Walk
Headspace – A Mini-Meditation on Self-Care
Headspace – A Mini-Meditation for our Wellbeing this week
Headspace – Stressed? – learn to reframe stressful situations with this short meditation.
Explaining the coronavirus to children
Here are a selection of leaflets and booklets explaining the coronavirus to primary-aged pupils:
Explore and organise good days in unusual times
The School Public Health Service have created Covid-19 FAQs for parents including guidance on supporting children and young peoples’ understanding of coronavirus.
Supporting primary-aged-children’s mental health and wellbeing
The Department for Education have updated guidance for schools on remotely supporting pupil and staff wellbeing. The full guidance can be found here.
Other national guidance includes:
The Department for Education have also produced a leaflet with advice and links to resources to help teachers planning on having a wellbeing ‘check-in’ with their pupils: preview and download here.
Coram Life Education has launched a free teaching toolkit to support children’s health and wellbeing when they return to school. The toolkit is designed to build children’s resilience, self-esteem and kindness and includes practical resources in line with new government guidance, such as lesson ideas for smaller class sizes and to use outdoors.
The following guidance offers suggestions on how to support an anxious pupil with successfully transitioning back into school, particularly after the coronavirus pandemic: supporting anxious pupils in a primary setting.
The Principal Educational Psychologist in Nottinghamshire has given permission to share therapeutic stories to support primary-aged children in exploring strong emotions linked to the coronavirus pandemic:
Short films to highlight the use of play to regulate children’s emotions from the British Psychological Society (BPS). These are two short films to help parents, carers and education professionals use play to support children to make sense of the changes happening in their lives. The first film is for families and highlights the benefits of using play to help children understand the changes they are experiencing and gives tips on using play to support wellbeing. The second film offers professionals expert advice in play about its role in supporting learning and promoting children’s wellbeing.
Fantastic Fred / Good Mental Health Matters – developed by the NHS in Kent, Good Mental Health matters is a free resource for primary and secondary school teachers. Online resources are available to schools in addition such as the Fantastic Fred experience. F.R.E.D is an acronym for the four practical ways in which children can help to look after their own good mental health: Food – Rest – Exercise – Digital Devices.
Counselling and bereavement
The Kent School Public Health Service are offering children and young people’s counselling. This includes up to six counselling sessions for young people aged 4 – 19 for support with feelings of anxiety/stress, low mood, behavioural issues, emotional health and well-being, self-harm, or anger.
The Kent School Public Health Service can also provide up to 12 sessions of counselling for a student who has been bereaved as a result of Covid19. This can be accessed through the Single Point of Access (03001234496) or via the online portal.
For information, advice and support following the loss of a child, or to support children who are going through a bereavement, please see the bereavement resource page here.
Kooth.com online counselling and support is available for all 10 – 16 year olds in Kent. Children and young people can access free, safe and anonymous support from fully trained counsellors.
ChildLine offer 1-2-1 counsellor chat online to help children with whatever is worrying them. Their website also offers message boards, calming activities, information and advice.
Support for Young Carers
Kent Young Carers is the countywide service for Young Carers aged 5 – 18 across Kent. Young Carers are taking on caring responsibilities for a family member with a long-term illness, disability, mental health or substance misuse issue. During this time of change they have adapted their services and continue to operate remotely via phone and email. All services are open to new referrals via the Hubs.
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Looking after staff wellbeing
Reintegrating back to school life can be a challenge at any time but that demand is even higher during the current climate of uncertainty. Here is information, resources and services that should support you, your colleagues and your school families in this process.
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Supporting vulnerable pupils
To assist in the successful reintegration of vulnerable pupils you may want to consider this information and guidance.
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Children and young people's emotional wellbeing flowchart
Information if you are concerned about a child or young person's thoughts, feelings or behaviour.
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Emotional wellbeing advice and guidance for schools
Including universal support and guidance around transition.
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Practical and emotional support following bereavement
Advice and guidance for schools and young people following a bereavement, including the death of a child
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Emotional wellbeing support for young people
Reintegrating back to school life can be a challenge at any time but that demand is even higher during the current climate of uncertainty. Here are resources to support young people, and support conversations with young people.
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Special educational needs and disability practical resources
Children and young people with SEND may experience a number of difficulties and challenges during this time. Here is useful advice and guidance to support young people with SEND.
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Emotional wellbeing support for parents and carers
Useful advice and guidance to help schools support parents and carers.
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Emotional wellbeing advice, guidance and support for highly anxious pupils
Resources and guidance to support highly anxious pupils both remotely and during the reintegration to school.