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!
This exercise is aimed at helping your child kick start their day and get their brilliant brains ready to learn. You can be done in the moment or with the worksheet we’ve created for you.
This activity will take a little longer than the previous UP activities, and your children might need a little bit more help from you on this one! We have a Games Jar, a Worry Jar and a Best Bits Jar. Watch the video below to show you and your child how to make it.
This video talks to children about their feelings and how to regulate them in child-friendly language with lovely pictures alongside it.
1) Communicate
Often the root of an argument can be found in people feeling unheard or misunderstood. In times of additional stress, it can become even harder to communicate effectively. With this in mind, taking the time each day to talk things through can go a long way to help keep things calm. Making your expectations clear means there’s no space for assumptions and hopefully in turn, people feel less frustrated. This goes both ways – that great feeling we get when someone really listens is important to share; take turns being heard and being a good listener. When listening, a great way to really show you are engaged in what is being said is to ‘actively listen.’ Active listening is paying full attention to another person and acknowledging and affirming what they are saying.
2) Let it Go
Being stuck inside with the same people can be really hard and the little things can start to grate on us, which can in turn result in lots of bickering and arguments. It’s not always easy, but if you can, try to pick your battles. Find the things you can live with and, just for now, let it go. Maybe the toys aren’t picked up at the end of the day for now, maybe they can have pasta for breakfast. This also applies to yourself – don’t beat yourself up if you had fishfingers 3 nights in a row or are struggling to help them with their online learning.
3) Routine
If the days of lockdown have started merging into each other without the normal routines of school, it can make it harder to get the things you need to do done. You may be feeling more tired and less motivated. Adding some routine back in to your day will help boost your mood and re-focus you. Routine creates an understanding of everyone’s expectations which will help cut down those disputes about starting work! Thankfully routine isn’t just about work and chores. Add in a set family time every day, perhaps you always eat breakfast together. Maybe every Friday night is fun time, you can even give the kids some control, let them pick the activities! (Make sure to limit the options to what you can actually, realistically do)
4) Expect Conflict
There are going to be days during lockdown when everyone is feeling overwhelmed at the same time. Isolation is mentally hard work and our brains can feel maxed out just getting through the day. When we are pushed to our emotional limits it can be impossible to not snap back, to not take things personally and to not end up in a full-scale argument over who finished the milk. We are only human, it’s going to happen. Sometimes a good argument can clear the air, help reset everyone and provide a good space to practice tip 1. This is also a good opportunity to model conflict resolution to your children. Showing them that even though we disagree and sometimes even row, we can find a resolution and come out of it better able to hear each other.
5) Have Fun
It’s not easy to just stop what you are doing and have fun, especially in times of high stress and worry. Sometimes it takes making a conscious effort, perhaps even adding it to your routine. It doesn’t have to be something huge, you could have a kitchen dance party or spend 5 minutes playing I Spy. We all need a bit of joy and childish laughter to lighten our hearts at the moment. These are the things our children will remember in years to come.
