01 Feb 10 Ways To Help Children With Their Mental Health
Children’s Mental Health Week
Did you know that 1 in 5 children are likely to have experienced a mental disorder in 2023?
This means that in a classroom of 30 pupils, 6 students are likely to have suffered from poor mental health. Some known, some gone unnoticed.
To honour Children’s Mental Health Week commencing from February 5th, we are discussing the top 10 ways to help children with their mental health.
Encourage Them To Talk
Whether it be with yourself, a family member, friend or professional.
It’s essential that a child has someone they feel comfortable talking with about their thoughts and feelings.
Every child has a voice, they may just need a little encouragement when it comes to using it.
Listen To Them
How badly does it frustrate you when someone won’t listen to what you have to say?
In encouraging children to talk, it’s essential that they have someone at hand to listen to them.
Ensure you’re not distracted when a child is talking, be attentive so you are ready to help where needed.
Build A Routine With Them
From an allocated hour of playtime to a time specific bedtime.
These are both examples of how you can build a routine with a child.
Ensure your child has a similar routine daily to keep them relaxed and happy.
If you struggle to stick to a routine, then try putting it in writing to make it easier to remember and follow.
Consider a sticker chart to help reward your child for when they successfully follow their routine.
Support Their Hobbies & Interests
Be a child’s personal cheerleader.
Support their choice to play the piano (be thankful it’s not the trombone…yet), encourage them to join the school team to show off their football skills.
The more physical activities the better. Encourage a child to be physically active to help improve their mental health.
Just like it does for adults, being active will help produce serotonin (the happy hormone) in children.
Be A Role Model For Them
Be their Oprah, David Beckham, or Albert Einstein.
When it comes to thoughts and feelings, show your child how you cope with your own in difficult times.
Be aware of your actions. Children easily pick up and copy adult actions.
Support Them Through Difficult Times
Have you noticed a change in your child’s behaviour?
Maybe a recent event or experience has altered how they’re processing their thoughts and feelings.
If a child’s behaviour has dramatically changed in a short period of time, don’t approach them and the situation with punishment.
Be supportive. Learn what they are going through and help them understand it too.
A poor behaviour can easily be helped if approached in the correct way.
Provide Them With Words Of Encouragement
Well done. These two simple words can change a child’s mentality.
It’s essential to provide children with positive feedback when and where needed.
For the big or small accomplishments, being positive towards your child will help them feel rewarded and happy.
Remember this the next time your child wins the sports day race or finishes the first page of their homework.
Encourage Them To Be Themselves
Every child is unique.
It’s essential to show all children that being unique is what counts, no two children are the exact same (even twins).
Be sure to encourage your child to be themselves in life.
Whilst their behaviour can be altered to fit different situations, their personality should remain the same.
Be Present In Their Life
Attend the football matches, help bake the fairy cakes, or simply place your phone on silent.
Give your child your full attention when and where possible.
Your child will speed through childhood into adulthood in what feels like a matter of seconds, it’s important to be present and enjoy it whilst it lasts.
Remind Them They Are Loved
Love appears in all different forms.
Through kindness and kisses, you can show a child they are loved.
But it’s important that any displays of affection for your child are not a one-off occurrence.
A child needs regular reassurance from those around them.
Children are our future. It’s important that they experience love so they too can replicate the feeling.
Please help Forward Teaching in sharing this blog with your friends, family members, and colleagues.
No child should suffer with their mental health. Let’s help others understand how they can help children with their mental health.