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Emotional Wellbeing Support Strategies for Children and Young People

Emotional Wellbeing Support Strategies for Children and Young People

Nottingham City Educational Psychology Service

Emotional wellbeing - We know there is a lot of uncertainty around virus outbreaks and other worldwide situations and incidents, particularly given that the situation is constantly developing and the information about the situation may remain incomplete. This page should help to outline how we can support children and young people’s emotional wellbeing during this time at home or at school.

  • Jigsaw activity – it is important to recognise that we are all unique individuals, but we can also come together as a group of students, class, or year group. Find a jigsaw template here to create your own display!
  • Recognising positive qualities - Take a sheet of paper write your name in the middle. Pass around the group or class and write a positive comment for each person in turn.
  • Worry box – Post your feelings, thoughts and questions
  • Gingerbread man outline activity – Identify and label your current emotions. How does it feel? Where are these feelings?
  • Gratitude journal – It is important to remind ourselves things we are grateful for in the midst of a difficult time. Look here for some inspiration.

Explaining the Coronavirus

Coronavirus and Wellbeing

How Mindfulness Can Help During Outbreaks (lockdowns) - Child Mind Institute

Physical Activity to Support Emotional Wellbeing

As well as practical support for children and young people’s emotional wellbeing during this time, it is important to maintain physical activity where possible, whilst following the government guidelines on social distancing and self-isolation. Physical activity can be a great way to support mental health and emotional wellbeing for children and young people, and all of the family.

Change and Transition

Given the current situation, children and young people, particularly those in Year 6, 11 or 13 may be feeling frustration, sadness and upset. They may also be experiencing feelings of loss. These are completely normal reactions to the circumstances. For now, it may be helpful to recognise what we might be able to contribute in validating their emotional experiences and alternative ideas to support the idea of change and transition.

leaving year 6 and transitioning to secondary school

Children and young people leaving year 6 and transitioning to secondary school may be feeling anxious or worried about the big change

Children and young people leaving year 11 or 13

Children and young people leaving year 11 or 13 may also be experiencing anxiety.

Discuss and Reflect their experiences of transitioning to secondary school

Children and young people may wish to reflect on their memories of school, particularly those leaving Year 6 or Year 11

Other Downloads

  • Jigsaw activity – it is important to recognise that we are all unique individuals, but we can also come together as a group of students, class, or year group. Find a jigsaw template here to create your own display! This can be particularly helpful to support children returning to new classes to promote a sense of belonging and connectedness.
  • For those transitioning between year groups, schools may find it helpful for their new teacher to record a video message to allow the children and young people to get to know them. Pupils could send a video response, email or postcard back to the teacher to let them know what they have been up to whilst away from school.
  • Children and young people may wish to send in a photograph of themselves. A member of the school staff could compile and distribute these back to students to let them know which peers will be in their class when they return.

Further Support and Information

It can be helpful to remind children and young people that this is a temporary time, and we can still plan for the future. This might help them to see beyond the current situation and to take time to consider creating action plans for goals they want to achieve. A ‘Planning for the future’ prompt sheet can be found in here along with a goal setting template.

  • Something Bad Happened: A Kid’s Guide to Coping with Events in the News by Dawn Huebner (suitable for ages 6-12)
  • The Day the Sea Went out and Never Came Back by Margot Sunderland (suitable for ages 4-12)
  • Badger’s Parting Gifts by Susan Varley
  • When Dinosaurs Die (Laurie Krasny-Brown and Marc Brown)
  • Always and Forever (Debi Gliori and Alan Durant)
  • When Someone Very Special Dies by Marge Heegaard (Drawing book suitable for ages 9-12)
  • The Invisible String by Patrice Karst and Joanne Lew-Vriethoff (suitable for ages 4-7)
  • Have You Filled A Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids by Carol McCloud
  • Sad Isn’t Bad: A Good-grief Guidebook for Kids Dealing with Loss (Self-help books for kids) by Michaelene Mundy
  • Muddles, Puddles and Sunshine: Your Activity Book to Help When Someone Has Died by Diana Crossley
  • No Matter What by Debi Gliori

Winston’s wish – supporting children through bereavement during coronavirus.

Cruse Bereavement Care – dealing with bereavement and grief, including specific information for children and young people.

Child Bereavement UK – video offering support for parents of children who are or have been bereaved.

Hope Again – Hope Again is the youth website of Cruse Bereavement Support. It is a safe place where you can learn from other young people, how to cope with grief, and feel less alone.

  • Hope Again – support website specifically for young people who have been bereaved.

How to contact us:

If you have any question feel free to email us on eps.admin@nottinghamcity.gov.uk or contact your link educational psychologist directly.

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