Communicating with your Child

Here are some fab book suggestions, articles and links to improve communication with your child or to give you ideas during tricky times. . 

'How to talk to kids will listen and how to listen so kids will talk' by Faber and Mazlish is a fantastic book with great communication tips including how to support your child with their emotions and improve co-operation at home. I have a copy you are welcome to borrow if you want to try it out first! 

"The Whole Brain Child" by Dan Siegal and Tina Bryson is another great book, with easy to read comic strip style practical examples for communicating with your child whilst nurturing their brain development. I also have a copy of this if you want to have a read. 

It can be hard to know how to talk to your child about difficult issues such as the current coronavirus outbreak - here is a useful link that provides some ideas. https://www.ahaparenting.com/blog/talking-with-children-about-the-corona-virus

Here is some information on listening to your child using an active listening approach. It uses questioning similar to what is used in school.

This is some further useful information about listening to children using empathy - some great top tips about what to say in difficult moments or to encourage your child to say more. 

Here is a document that gives ideas and tips on managing your child's anger, worries and giving praise! 

 Friendships

The book 'Have you filled a bucket today' by Carol McCloud is a great way to encourage your child's developing empathy for others and to help them understand how we all have an impact on others. 

'How to be a friend" by Laurie Brown is a great explicit book on how to make friends and manage difficulties.

"The Great big book of Friends" by Mary Hoffman is another great one to provide a talking point with your child. 

For older children the series of books such as 'Stand up for yourself and your friends' by P Criswell is great for exploring how to manage friendships as children grow. 

Anxiety

"What to do when you worry too much" by D Huebner is part of a great series of books that support children through a range of different emotions. This is a workbook that you could do together with your child at home. It is suitable for children aged 6-12.

"The big bag of worries" by Virginia Ironside is a great resource and talking point for children of any age to open up about things that might be on their mind. 

Useful websites include:

youngminds.org.uk

https://childmind.org/article/what-to-do-and-not-do-when-children-are-anxious/

https://gozen.com/understand-your-childs-anxiety-infographic/

Supporting Self-esteem

Boredom buster ideas for home (that don't break the bank!)

With the lure of screens and busy family life, it can be hard to find time to all play together or encourage your child to create their own activities. Here are some ideas for family fun that everyone can get involved in. 

Boredom buster bingo  - a great way to encourage children to organise their own activities. Here is a completed sheet for ideas and a blank one you can print and fill in - or just create your own! Standard bingo rules apply, children could have a 'treat' for completing a row or a full house! 

Make your own game! Here is an example, this is great for younger children. 

Games to play - here is some information on games everyone can join in with and really helps children feel connected to their parents/carers. 

100 educational activities and ideas for home - click the link!

Well-being 

Here are some tips to help with well-being at home, including some resources to help children explain how they are feeling. 

A to Z of self care!

Roll it Game

With the current level of worry about the coronavirus, here are some further links and information about how to support your child's anxieties, child friendly information about the virus and further tips for home to stay connected and support your family's well-being. 

http://www.elsa-support.co.uk/independent-home-activities/

Here is an idea of a routine chart for use at home, structure can really improve everybody's well-being. 

https://www.elsa-support.co.uk/ coronavirus-story-for-children/

This is a link to information about local service Just b who have set up an anxiety and emotional well-being call line for children, young people and adults during this difficult time.

Here is a link to some Mindfulness apps: https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/top-meditation-iphone-android-apps#insight-timer