Ten ways to improve your child's wellbeing during times of crisis

This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is from May 18 with the theme being kindness.

At this time, when our worlds have been turned upside down, acts of kindness are so important.

Former primary school teacher Catherine Lynch, of education resource experts PlanBee, has ten tips to help parents boost the mental health of their children.

She advises parents and carers to ...

1 Create a nurturing environment where everyone feels valued and safe

Even during lockdown, we need connection with others. The skill of developing and maintaining connections is learned.  You can help with this by working as a team, sharing responsibilities and making sure all efforts are appreciated.

2 Adjust your expectations

Both adults and children have been affected by current changes. We all have something called a window of tolerance. If your window is smaller than usual at present, go easy on yourself. Allow yourselves to be less productive than normal, and have time to process what you are feeling.

3 Allow everyone to have a voice

It is totally normal to hold on tightly to things we can control. Whether your child breaks down over the ‘wrong’ colour socks or something else, see what practical choices can help them feel they have some control. If transitions are hard for your child, focus on when the current activity ends. Give them time warnings or a timer if they are old enough, and again give them choices. For example, ‘When this TV show ends you need to do some school work. Will you do it at the kitchen table, in your room or somewhere else?’