Many of these activities will have an accompanying demonstration video you will be able to find on the Unlocking Potential Youtube Channel. We hope you enjoy receiving our Weekly Well-being activities and find them useful!
We know that each child will be experiencing something different during “lockdown”. We’ve made this timeline to help your child understand the events that have happened around the world so far that led to lockdown and so that they can add in their personal experience of Covid-19. One day historians will write about when all the schools closed, and what they remember will be very important!
This week we have included a timeline for December to March, keep your eyes peeled at the very end of April for this month’s timeline.
This is a fun activity that will help your child to build up strength in their fingers – we call this improving your ‘fine motor skills’. Watch the video below to teach you how to make it!
If you managed to do the ‘Fox Face’ maybe you can try our trickier Fox… even more training for those fingers! Watch the video below to teach you how!
Be Kind
There has been a lot of focus in the last few weeks on being kind. It is hugely important to be kind to others whilst we are going through so much uncertainty, but it is also key to be kind to yourself. Try not to be hard on yourself when you are struggling, this is a new and uncertain situation it is understandably overwhelming at points. Finding time to do things that make you feel good can have a noticeable impact on your wellbeing. Do what works for you, whether that’s reading a book, watching a film or doing some yoga, and always set yourself reachable goals. It’s important not to focus on what you have not achieved and to not compare ourselves to others.
Being in Lockdown can be really hard and isolating. This can leave us open to anxiety. Sometimes it can be hard to take the steps to get in touch with the people you might normally see in your day to day life. Find a way that feels most comfortable with you and check in with the people you are missing. The chances are they are missing you too. Finding the time to talk through your worries can go a long way to shrinking them, it’s much harder for anxiety to take hold when all your fears are out in the open.
Moving our bodies keeps them healthy but it also keeps our minds in good working order. Being stuck at home can mean we’re not moving as much as we might normally be and this can mean our bodies and our brains end up getting tired and sluggish. If you can get outside once a day for a walk, run or bike ride then that is going to have a really positive impact on your wellbeing. If you can’t get out, then try and take some movement breaks. Get up move around, you can even dance around if you want. There are a huge number of free online resources for exercise classes at the moment, if you fancy something a bit more take a look to find something that might suit you.
Sometimes it is hard to ask for help and even harder to accept it. Social distancing and self-isolating can make doing the things your normally do for yourself much harder. If you need support with something then let people know how they can help, it will help you practically and boost you emotionally. It’s worth also noting that offering help is also really good for our sense of wellbeing. Never offer more than you can manage, but if you feel able then if can be really rewarding.
Be present – It can be overwhelming thinking about the current world events. The big picture comes with a lot of uncertainty and this can understandably result in anxiety. When your brain is going in to over drive it can help to refocus your thought to where you are at that moment. Maybe taking a moment to look around and notice the small things that bring you joy or calm while noticing your breathing. Doing this can really help you refocus in the present and feel more grounded. When we are mindful in this way we can feel more resilient.
Watch this short video for an introduction to mindfulness for adults. We talk about what mindfulness is and how it might be able to help you during this time.
