Child Wellbeing Guide – Top Tips for Parents

by | Jun 17, 2021

What is mental health?

Everyone has mental health. In the same way that we all have physical health, everyone also has mental health.

Having positive mental health is made up of different parts including:

  • Positive Self-Image: A positive self-image means that we feel good about ourselves. We have a positive relationship with our self, this is sometimes described as having high self-esteem.
  • Positive Relationships: We have healthy, supportive relationships in our life that help us to feel positive emotions, and we are able to maintain positive relationships with others.
  • Positive Emotions: We feel full range of different emotions, we are able to regulate and manage our emotions effectively.

Mental Health is a Sliding Scale

It’s useful to remember that our mental health exists on a sliding scale. Our mental health will move up and down this sliding scale throughout out life and it is impacted by what happens to us. If we experience a big life change or an unexpected event, it’s normal that this may impact our mental health and cause us to move down this scale.

It’s useful to remember that it’s normal to move up and down the mental health scale. Recovery from poor mental health is possible, and having an awareness of our own mental health is an important first step.

 

Top Tips for how we can support our child’s mental wellbeing.

 

Steps to Wellbeing Wisdom Poster

Talk to your child about the Steps to Wellbeing Wisdom. Each step is drawn from the 5 Ways to Wellbeing, and they are a fantastic way of learning simple actions we can take to improve our mental health.

Use the Steps to Wellbeing Poster. Talk about the ideas on the poster and think of ways you could use the steps in your day to day life.

Start an Open Conversation

Talking openly about mental health is a good starting point to support your child. This can encourage self-awareness and reflection on the challenges that your child may be experiencing.  Through a regular open conversation, we can support children in learning how to regulate and manage their emotions.

 

Be a Wellbeing Role-Model

Children will often copy the behaviour that they see us engaging in. By role-modelling positive behaviours that support our wellbeing, children will learn how to take on these behaviours.

 

Think about limiting screen time and phone usage

Smart phone usage can sometimes prevent and interrupt having quality conversations with our children and family. It can be helpful to think about how technology usage could be adapted to support positive relationships in the household. It’s useful to reflect on these questions:

  • Is the way that you use technology preventing connections and communication with your family?
  • Could you set a ‘no-screen time’ zone, such as dinner time, when smart phones will not be used?

 

How can we start a conversation?

If you are concerned about your child’s mental health and wellbeing, you may wish start a conversation with them about how they are doing. Here are some ideas for starting a that conversation.

Explain that it’s normal to find things difficult sometimes.

You can explain how our mental health is a sliding scale, and it’s normal that sometimes we feel worried or find things difficult. Explain that talking about our feelings with someone that we trust can help us to feel better.

Be an active listener

Listening is a skill, and it’s not always easier. When speaking with your child, be present and give them your full attention. Allow them the opportunity to express what they have to say full, and ask open questions to allow to explore what they are saying further.

Do something fun together

Taking part in an activity that you enjoy together can be a great way of starting a conversation about how they are doing. Sometimes it’s easier to talk whilst we are engaged in another activity.

 

 

Further Resources and information:

Here are some website to access more support and information on mental health and wellbeing.

Mind.org.uk 

Mind has information and support for children and parents on their website.

 

Young Minds

Young Minds has useful information for young people and their parents who may be seeking support for their mental health and wellbeing.

 

NHS Website

The NHS website has a range information on different illnesses and offers advice and guidance on supporting our own mental wellbeing.

OpenView Education – Mental Health & Wellbeing Workshops

OpenView Education work directly with schools in providing interactive wellbeing workshops for your students. Contact us if you would like to arrange this for your school.

 

Knife Crime - What is Joint Enterprise

Knife Crime Awareness Video – What is Joint Enterprise?

  In the past decade, police recorded offenses involving knives or sharp instruments have surged by an alarming 81%. Young people and teenagers are now twice as likely to be victims of knife crime compared to ten years ago. So, what can we do to prevent knife...
The four Cs of Online Safety

The Four ‘C’s of Online Safety – Poster

  Download the Four Cs of Online Safety Poster Here   Ensuring online safety in schools is crucial in today’s digital age. An effective way to address online safety is through the framework of the “4 Cs” — Content, Contact, Conduct, and Commerce....
OpenView Education Video Trailer

Empowering Students to Live Successful Happy Lives

    At OpenView Education, our mission is to empower students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to stay safe and live successful, happy lives. We provide theatre-based training, workshops, and performances for schools, specialising in: ✅...
Anti-Bullying Week 2025 - Our Impact in November - OpenView Education

Our Impact This November

We want to say a huge thank you to all the schools that we visited throughout November with our Anti-Bullying Workshops and Theatre Show to support them in celebrating Anti-Bullying Week 2024. This was an incredible month for OpenView Education seeing us visit more...
What Parents Need to Know About Discord

What Parents Need to Know About Discord

As technology evolves, new platforms for social interaction continually emerge. One such platform is Discord, which has gained popularity, particularly among gamers. While Discord offers many positive features, it’s essential for parents and carers to understand its...

TikTok Parent Guide

Download our guide on what parents need to know about TikTok.

TikTok Parent Guide

Thank you! Your TikTok Parent Guide is in your email inbox now.