Many of these activities will have an accompanying demonstration video which you will be able to find on the Unlocking Potential Youtube Channel and on the site below. We hope you enjoy receiving our Weekly Well-being activities and find them useful!
This is a fantastic way for your child to stay active indoors. They can play with as many or as few players as they like, it is also free and easy to do.
This is a great way to keep active and connected to nature. This activity is designed to encourage exploration and overall good well-being.
If your child has any left-over leaves, sticks, pinecones or pebbles from the nature collage from a few weeks ago, this is a fab continuation or alternative. This activity is designed to engage your child’s senses and stimulate their creativity.
Have a bit of time on your hands? Get creative with your child and make your very own everlasting handprints! These can also be turned into wall hangings or kept as memories to remind you and your child of this time. Parental supervision is necessary for this activity.
With an increase in downtime, core strength is crucial in maintaining good posture and a healthy back. These animal walks are great for balance and full-body strength. These exercises can be shared with the family or even turned into a game.
Week 3 of our special memories book is here! It has spaces for your child to draw and write about their special memories from Primary school. Head back to Week 8 to download the first two pages of the book if you missed them last week.
** Click the Memories Book button below for the next page **
Click on the transitions button below for the third instalment of our 6-week transitions programme. Your child can do this on their own or with your help.
Reassure your child
Reassure your child that things are changing but it will be sometime before things return to a ‘normal’ that they will recognise from their lives before lockdown. There may be a sense that that ‘lockdown’ has provided a sense of feeling protected from the outside world. For some, this lifting of rules can cause a rising anxiety as going back to a more ‘recognisable life’ might reignite some old worries. It can be overwhelming thinking about the uncertainty, and this can understandably result in anxiety. When you feel your thoughts are beginning to spiral into worrying about ‘what if’s?’ it can help to refocus your thoughts on the present moment. Some of the mindfulness techniques described in previous weeks could be beneficial.
Make sense of the changes at your own pace
Returning to school can be a welcome change to some children and create a sense of dread for others, so take time to understand how your child feels about returning, they may have worries around reconnecting with friends. If your child is struggling to voice their concerns, have a worry jar or bottle that your child can place their worries in.
Explore your own and your child’s expectations
Discuss your expectations and ask your child what their expectations are. Set out how things will change – School will certainly look very different to what they will have experienced before the lockdown. Your child might be worried that they will not be able to get close to their teachers and friends. They may have worries about how they will be able to play with their friends if they must socially distance. Offer them different ways of connecting with their friends that don’t involve being physically close.
Give them practical advice
Give some practical tips to your child about how they can look after themselves. You can remind them how to wash their hands properly, and when they should be doing it. Explain to them that these precautions need to be in place for now, but as time goes on there will come a point that they may be able to get closer to their friends and teachers.
Check-in after school
Check-in with your child when they come back to school. Playing a game with your child can help you to feel more connected to them and gives them that special interaction and a bit of normality after their ‘strange’ day at school.
