As the time approaches for some of our children to return to School, and also during Mental Health Week 2020, it seems like a good time to think about how they are going to cope as things get back to ‘normal’.
Over the past weeks our children have hopefully adapted to a life in lockdown, missing their clubs and activities and also missing time in the classroom. However, in addition to managing boredom in some cases, we also need to be aware of the levels of anxiety our children are inevitably feeling; worried about their family and friends, and concern about their own health too. Childline has said it has given hundreds of counselling sessions to children and young people who have been worried about COVID-19. The Childline website has tips on how to to cope during lockdown and suggestions to help children who are worried about their school being closed, being unwell themselves or their families being affected.
Mentally Healthy Schools also brings together some great resources to help promote children’s mental health and wellbeing and to support parents during these uncertain times. They are producing fortnightly resources to help manage anxiety.
Below are a selection of books that may help to relieve some of the negativity our children may be feeling and help them find ways find ways to cope. Some are more appropriate for young children to be read to or for older Pre-Prep readers to read themselves. Others may appeal to some of the Prep children.
If you have any other recommendations or suggestions that you have found particularly helpful, please do let me or Mrs Oldroyd know as we are building up a really good selection of books at school for when we return to the classroom.
Mrs Emmett
