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!
There is a lot going on for all of us at the moment. While lockdown is changing, there are still some things in our lives that feel very far away. This activity is a fun way for you and your child to put down all of your hopes and dreams for the future!
Follow these instructions to make some lovely paper dolls! You can watch the instructions in the video below.
This week we are teaching you how to combine rainbows and cards to send to people that you love and miss.
The coronavirus has brought up a lot of feelings around illness and death. This may create unexpected situations and conversations with your child. Here we help you think about how to talk to your child about someone who is seriously ill.
Week 4 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, 9 and 10 to download the first four pages of the book if you missed them.
** Click the Memories Book button below for the next page **
Click on the transitions button below for the fourth instalment of our 6-week transitions programme. Your child can do this on their own or with your help.
All families will go through a significant bereavement at some point. Here are some ways to talk to your child about death in a way that they will understand and how to support them through their grief.
Talking about loss
Talk to your child about their loss. Check what the child already knows and their understanding. Inaccurate or partial information can be more confusing. Find out how they are feeling, different children will experience loss differently, and different losses might be experienced differently. Follow the child’s lead. Let them know it is OK to feel scared or unsure. Let them know it is OK to ask questions, and you will try to answer them as best as possible, but that you might not always have the answers – but will come back if you do.
Naming that someone has died
If someone has died use the terms ‘died’, ‘death’ and ‘dead’. Even though many feel more comfortable using ‘passed’ or ‘gone to sleep’, these terms may lead to confusion/misunderstanding. Children like things to be clear and using these words helps the grieving process.
Avoiding Promises
Don’t make promises (e.g. you will see your best friend) if there is a chance it might not happen. Reassure them of what you can keep to.
Expressing feelings
Encourage children to express their feelings. Do not try and ‘protect’ children by hiding them from your feelings. Let children know it is OK to cry. Let them see you cry. ‘Sheltering’ children from your true feelings can make children feel that they too need to hold back their feelings or think that their feelings are bad. Of course, try to not expose children to moments which they might find distressing, where they might then worry about you – it’s a difficult balance.
Having Routines
The Coronavirus pandemic has changed the lives of everybody – we’ve lost the work/school, home and social lives that we have always known. Whilst so much feels unknown and out of our control, it is important to keep as many regular routines as possible. Routines create normality, stability and structure, but also aspects of knowing, which in turn creates a feeling of safety.
