January 2021 - 5 Steps to Wellbeing

During this term (and the period of lockdown), we are going to be using the NHS 5 steps to wellbeing to think about how we can look after our own wellbeing and that of our friends and family.

Each week we will look at a different aspect of the 5 Steps and will suggest ideas of things you could do.

It would be lovely if you can share what you have done, either via our social media pages or with your class teacher via Teams.

Wellbeing Guidance

Working and learning at home can be a challenge for children and parents.  It is therefore really important that we all look after ourselves and consider our wellbeing.

This page will be updated on a regular basis, so please keep an eye on it.

Some useful ideas to support your family's wellbeing:

• Try to stick to your usual routine – keep bedtimes and getting up times the same and try to avoid afternoon naps;
• Create a mini plan for the day with learning slots;
• Try not to be on tablets and games all the time;
• Include some exercise into the daily plan – The Bodycoach, Cosmic Yoga and Just Dance are good;
• Hands-on learning is great to do at home;
• Regular water and snack breaks will help;
• Try to maintain a healthy diet;
• Try to get some time outside in the garden or out in the open air away from others.

Useful apps and websites

Stop breathe and think kids

https://www.stopbreathethink.com/kids/

Calm

www.calm.com

Headspace for kids

https://www.headspace.com/blog/2019/01/25/headspace-for-kids-meditations/

Smiling mind

https://www.smilingmind.com.au/

Kids skills

http://www.kidsskills.org/

Further Support:

If you feel that you need further support with wellbeing for your family over the coming weeks then some of the websites below may be be helpful places to visit.

• Lincolnshire County Council’s Emotional Wellbeing Pathway has lots of useful advice and information: http://search3.openobjects.com/kb5/lincs/fsd/family.page?familychannel=2_9_9
• KOOTH: Kooth.com with free, safe and anonymous online support for young people: www.Kooth.com
• For Me - https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/for-me/  This app includes all of Childline’s services in an app: direct 121 access to a counsellor, videos, advice and chat on a range of issues that affect young people.  It is safe and discreet and can only be accessed with a  pin code.  For Me was named and designed to blend in with other apps on your phone. That means that if anyone else sees the screen, they won't realise it's a Childline app.   Available on iphone only but all resources available via the website
• 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/

Relaxation Exercises

You could try some of the short exercises in the booklet below to help you relax.  Maybe complete them together as a family.

Other Ideas

Physical activities:

• Cosmic Kids Yoga
• Bodycoach
• Just Dance

Art activities:

• Painting, sketching, drawing and clay
• Scrap book making
• Jewellery making
• Box modelling

Sensory and craft activities:

• Play dough
• Kinetic snad
• Water play
• Bubbles
• Slime making
• Papier mache craft
• Origami
• Cooking and baking

Gardening

• Potting and planting seeds
• Tidying, pruning, etc.
• Making bug houses or hedgehog houses
• Collecting leaves or flowers
• Nature hunt

Calming activities

• Yoga
• Listening to music
• Meditation
• Drawing things that make you happy
• Playing a musical instrument
• Reading
• Word searches and other puzzles