As adults we are very aware of the global situation that we have all found ourselves in, I think most would agree that we are all very confused as to how we have suddenly got to where we are now, if we are confused….imagine how children are feeling, they have suddenly had their routines flipped upside down, and are stuck at home without their friends and teachers. To help them get through this troubling and anxiety provoking time I have listed 5 tips below on how you can help them through:
- Keep a daily routine – many children rely upon their routine for comfort and to keep them feeling secure, having a daily routine will help to keep them feeling safe.
- Regular exercise – children, as we know, have a lot of energy, so giving them a way of burning this off will help to reduce signs of anxiety and keep their minds positive.
- Don’t be afraid to talk about it – as a parent your instinct is to protect your child, however, these circumstances have left us all feeling a little vulnerable. Children often understand more than we give them credit for, so do not be afraid to talk to them about what is happening, but also talk to them about the future in a positive way.
- Keep in touch with their friends – it is a difficult time for children, from being with their friends everyday to suddenly being isolated at home, using technology to communicate with their friends and family will help to ease their feelings of anxiety.
- Schedule ‘worry time’ – if a child is experiencing high levels of anxiety, it would be beneficial to set aside regular ‘worry time’, by doing so, you are freeing them up to focus on other things or activities instead of being worried an anxious for the whole day.
The below video from our YouTube channel might help if your child is suffering with their mental well being and the reasons as to why it is beneficial to open up the conversation surrounding mental health:
