Life can be busy and stressful at the best of times, but we currently find ourselves in a turbulent world, trying to navigate each day as it comes. We understand that whatever your age, whether you are a child or an adult, we all need time to feel calm and peaceful for our own well-being, both physically, mentally and emotionally. 

It is hoped that this page will be your family 'go to' for activities, tips and valuable techniques to develop self-awareness, regulate our emotions, release anxiety and most importantly, have some fun. 

We hope you find these useful and enjoyable and would love to hear which exercises you are trying or any others that you may like to share. Please keep in touch! 

Activities you can do with your Playdough

• Fantastic stress-reliever -Kneading, rolling, flattening and punching the play dough provide the chance to relieve stress and reduce feelings of anxiety and worry.

• Develop hand strength - It can help to refine motor functions, develop hand strength and help to develop co-ordination. Why not try rolling and pinching it to create different shapes?

• Support learning - It can be used to support learning such as shapes, colours, numbers, money and food. Encourage your child/ren to talk and explain what they are doing with the playdough to develop their speaking and listening. Why not challenge them to make a certain shape or pattern? Have a look online for playdough mats to give you even more ideas.

Have a look on https://myhappymind.org/ 

There are online videos and podcasts that can offer support to help your child build self-esteem and resilience.

Helpful Links

Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families

Website: https://www.annafreud.org/what-we-do/anna-freud-learning-network/coronavirus/ 

Key stages: Early Years Foundation Stage to Key Stage 2

Description: wellbeing advice for all those supporting children and young people.

BPS

Website: https://www.bps.org.uk/news-and-blogs 

Key stages: Early Years Foundation Stage to Key Stage 2

Description: advice on dealing with school closures and talking to children about COVID-19.

Children’s Commissioner

Website: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/publication/childrens-guide-to-coronavirus/ 

Key stages: Early Years Foundation Stage to Key Stage 2

Description: a downloadable guide for children about coronavirus.

MindEd

Website: https://www.minded.org.uk/ 

Key stages: Early Years Foundation Stage to Key Stage 2

Description: an educational resource for all adults on children and young people’s mental health.

Registration: is required

The Child Bereavement Network

Website: http://www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk/covid-19.aspx 

Key stages: Early Years Foundation Stage to Key Stage 2

Description: advice on supporting grieving children during the coronavirus outbreak.

Others Website

On my mind - https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/ 

Big White Wall - https://www.bigwhitewall.com/ 

The Mix - https://www.themix.org.uk/ 

Mind ( for young people section) - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/for-children-and-young-people/ 

Childline - https://www.childline.org.uk