your child's wellbeing
Our Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead is Mrs Caroline Phillipson, and our Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead is Mrs Emma Woollon.
LETTER TO THE PARENTS OF YEAR 6 AND RECEPTION
| Letter to Parents of Year 6 and Reception May 2021 |
WELLBEING WEDNESDAY
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Research suggests that there are five steps we can all take to improve our mental health and wellbeing. At Oughton Primary and Nursery School we have been promoting these with children, parents and staff for the last couple of years:
Trying out a variety of things in all of these areas can help us feel more positive and able to get the most out of life; this is particularly important at this time of uncertainty with lockdowns and restrictions. For further details follow the link: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/improve-mental-wellbeing/
With this in mind, we will be dedicating our Wednesday afternoons this term to ‘Wellbeing Wednesday’; a time to switch off all electrical devices and try out some fun challenges.
Trying out a variety of things in all of these areas can help us feel more positive and able to get the most out of life; this is particularly important at this time of uncertainty with lockdowns and restrictions. For further details follow the link: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/improve-mental-wellbeing/
With this in mind, we will be dedicating our Wednesday afternoons this term to ‘Wellbeing Wednesday’; a time to switch off all electrical devices and try out some fun challenges.
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING INFORMATION
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Please see the attached information sheet: Information for Children and Young People - Oct 2020 from Hertfordshire & NHS.
Please also see the link below as there is some useful information for parents and carers. https://sendnews.hertfordshire.gov.uk/send-news-17-november-2020/things-to-do-in-hertfordshire/a-wellbeing-extravaganza-evening-just-for-you |
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USEFUL CONTACTS
Mind work with young people to support their better mental wellbeing. If you are having a difficult time or are struggling with how you are feeling, click here:
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/for-children-and-young-people/
Childline. Worried and need to talk? Call Childline on 0800 1111. This is a free call and you don't need to tell them your name. They are there to talk all day and night, whatever your worry.
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/for-children-and-young-people/
Childline. Worried and need to talk? Call Childline on 0800 1111. This is a free call and you don't need to tell them your name. They are there to talk all day and night, whatever your worry.
network of support
All the children in school are encouraged to consider building a network of people they can turn to for support beyond just their parents. To be able to self-advocate and ask for help when they have a worry or just need to talk is an important skill children can start building as soon as they enter school and is something they will benefit from their entire lives.
The people in your child’s support network should be ones they can trust and can rely on for practical and emotional help. They may come from different places in their life and may change as they get older.
How you can help your child to build their own support network.
1. Model how to ask for, and offer, help.
It is important for your child to know that everyone needs help sometimes, not just them, and that it is okay to ask for it. You can model this at home by asking your child for help when you need it and showing your appreciation. For example, they could help by clearing the table instead of you doing it or by helping to prepare a meal.
Your child can also benefit from seeing you supporting others, for example if you pick up some shopping for a neighbour. By doing this, they can also see how other people accept help.
2. Start backing away from helping your child.
As children get older they constantly face new challenges. As a Parent, it is natural to want to help but it is important for your child to start handling some of their problems without you too. That includes finding others who can offer support and advice.
Where you might usually jump in to help your child fix something, for example, if they have trouble making friends or they have a teacher they do not seem to be connecting with, ask who they think might be able to help. Is there someone she can talk to at school on their network of support?
3. Widen the circle.
The more your child does outside your home, the more opportunities they have to meet people who may be good sources of support. Getting your child involved in activities in your community, for example, the Scout Association, sports clubs or volunteering is always a good way of widening their network.
Building a support network not only provides a wider circle of people your child can turn to but it also helps your child to build their self-esteem and sense of independence.
The people in your child’s support network should be ones they can trust and can rely on for practical and emotional help. They may come from different places in their life and may change as they get older.
How you can help your child to build their own support network.
1. Model how to ask for, and offer, help.
It is important for your child to know that everyone needs help sometimes, not just them, and that it is okay to ask for it. You can model this at home by asking your child for help when you need it and showing your appreciation. For example, they could help by clearing the table instead of you doing it or by helping to prepare a meal.
Your child can also benefit from seeing you supporting others, for example if you pick up some shopping for a neighbour. By doing this, they can also see how other people accept help.
2. Start backing away from helping your child.
As children get older they constantly face new challenges. As a Parent, it is natural to want to help but it is important for your child to start handling some of their problems without you too. That includes finding others who can offer support and advice.
Where you might usually jump in to help your child fix something, for example, if they have trouble making friends or they have a teacher they do not seem to be connecting with, ask who they think might be able to help. Is there someone she can talk to at school on their network of support?
3. Widen the circle.
The more your child does outside your home, the more opportunities they have to meet people who may be good sources of support. Getting your child involved in activities in your community, for example, the Scout Association, sports clubs or volunteering is always a good way of widening their network.
Building a support network not only provides a wider circle of people your child can turn to but it also helps your child to build their self-esteem and sense of independence.
A USEFUL READING LIST
We have been recommended this book list, which we think could be very helpful. Please take a look.
WELLBEING AMBASSADORS - NEW FOR 2020-21! |
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Over the course of the Autumn term, we introduced a new role for some of our older pupils - Wellbeing Ambassadors. The role of a Wellbeing Ambassador is to promote wellbeing and support good mental health with our pupils across school. They are an important part of our drive to ensure all of our children know how important it is to consider their wellbeing and mental health and where to find support if they need it. Our Wellbeing Ambassadors have undertaken training with Mrs Phillipson and Mrs Woollon.
Role of an Ambassador:
- Promote positive mental health in our school
- Raise awareness of how we need to look after our mental health
- Get children talking about their well-being and mental health and sharing their experiences
- Organise specific events and celebrate mental health awareness days
- Signpost others to access support in our school or outside our school
- Share good news stories
Role of an Ambassador:
- Promote positive mental health in our school
- Raise awareness of how we need to look after our mental health
- Get children talking about their well-being and mental health and sharing their experiences
- Organise specific events and celebrate mental health awareness days
- Signpost others to access support in our school or outside our school
- Share good news stories
zones of regulation
Zones of Regulation is a curriculum designed to help pupils develop their ability to self-regulate emotions. The zones are four colours that represent emotions. Over the course of the year, we will be introducing the four main sections of the curriculum.
1. Understanding what the different zones mean
2. Increasing awareness of their own emotions
3. Learning strategies to regulate these emotions
4. Monitoring and assessing progress
Introducing the Zones
Blue Zone
Examples of emotions associated with this zone: sad, sick, tired, bored, moving slowly
Green Zone (the ideal zone to be in for learning!)
Examples of emotion associated with this zone: happy, calm, feeling okay, focussed, ready to learn
Yellow Zone
Examples of emotions associated with this zone: frustrated, worried, silly, wiggly, excited, loss of some control
Red Zone
Examples of emotions associated with this zone: mad/angry, terrified, yelling/hitting, elated, out of control
1. Understanding what the different zones mean
2. Increasing awareness of their own emotions
3. Learning strategies to regulate these emotions
4. Monitoring and assessing progress
Introducing the Zones
Blue Zone
Examples of emotions associated with this zone: sad, sick, tired, bored, moving slowly
Green Zone (the ideal zone to be in for learning!)
Examples of emotion associated with this zone: happy, calm, feeling okay, focussed, ready to learn
Yellow Zone
Examples of emotions associated with this zone: frustrated, worried, silly, wiggly, excited, loss of some control
Red Zone
Examples of emotions associated with this zone: mad/angry, terrified, yelling/hitting, elated, out of control
Please see below a letter and fliers with regard to support for emotional wellbeing.
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| Your Child's Wellbeing |
NSPCC
The NSPCC came in to speak to Years 5 and 6 about online safety. If you would like any further information about this topic click here to link to the NSPCC website.