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FREE Mental Well-being Journal for Kids
During challenging times, it's more important than ever to look after your child's well-being. To help parents to help their children, Outside the Box has produced a FREE activity journal ( At Home with Weaving Well-being) to help children to enhance their mental well-being through a range of activities. It's most suitable for children aged 7+ to 12 years-old but can be adapted for younger or older children. It was released at the start of the Covid pandemic.

You can download it and print it out for your child/children or, if you don't have access to a printer, your child can get the activity idea from the screen and do it on a blank sheet of paper.

Most of the topics in the FREE journal, such as positivity, gratitude, kindness, bravery, creativity and self-kindness, are drawn from the field of Positive Psychology, which is the science of well-being. There are also activities based on dealing with worries and coping with change.

The journal is based on Weaving Well-Being - an SPHE programme which your child may be already doing in their school. Even if your child has no experience of Weaving Well-Being, they will still be able to use this as a stand-alone journal. Your child can work through the pages at their own pace, or alternatively, if the journal is being used as part of school-based learning, their teacher can set activities for them to do from time to time.

The journal aims to give children a chance to reflect and express themselves, building into a personal portfolio reflecting unique aspects of their mental well-being. Once complete, they may enjoy looking over it again from time to time, especially whenever they need a well-being boost!

As a parent, you can use this journal to open up an important channel of communication with your child. Take time to discuss the various activities while they are completing them and perhaps even join in and try some of them on yourself!

The journal was compiled by Fiona Forman, co-author of the Weaving Well-Being programme (written by Fiona & Mick Rock).

Fiona appeared on Ireland AM on Virgin Media 1 in April 2021 discussing positive psychology activities designed to help children improve their mental well-being during these confusing and frightening times. Some of the positive psychology activities she demonstrated are now available for you right now in this free journal.

Click HERE or on the cover above to download the FREE journal. You can also double-click on the little square at the centre of the book cover below and it will open in full-screen for you to flick through and see all pages, download or share.
USEFUL LINKS:
Websites:

Twitter: @FionaWellBeing
Facebook: @weavingwellbeing / @fionawellbeing
Instagram: @fionaformanwellbeing

You can find more information about the authors' programmes by clicking on the links below:

TRY FOR FREE - Teachers can avail of a free trial of all of the above programmes by clicking on the links below:
ONLINE TRAINING:
There are two online training courses on Well-Being available, one summer course (eligible for EPV days) and one all-year-round course. This can be accessed through our sister website: www.otblearning.ie

PARENTS - To further support your child with worries, check out Fiona's article ' Ideas for Supporting an Anxious Child '

MINDFULNESS - There are some great Mindfulness scripts and Guided Meditations to try with your child/children freely available on our website. Click HERE to access these.
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING -

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At Home with Weaving Well-Being - Outside the Box Learning Resources

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FREE Mental Well-being Journal for Kids During challenging times, it's more important than ever to look after your child's well-being. To help parents to help their children, Outside the Box has produced a FREE activity journal ( At Home with Weaving Well-being) to help children to enhance their mental well-being through a range of activities.

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At a glance

Kids can learn to manage their emotions and work on social skills.

You can help your child with social-emotional learning by playing fun games at home.

There are lots of simple games you can play during everyday activities.

Many schools have started teaching kids how to do things like cope with feelings, set goals, and get along with others. It's called social-emotional learning. You can help your child work on these skills at home, too.

Here are a handful of activities that can help your child manage emotions and work on social skills - and have some fun with you along the way. These games are very low-tech. And all are designed to fit easily into daily routines.

1. Starfish and tornadoes

Try playing this game at different times of day, and help your child describe the energy levels. For example, if you play this game before dinner, you can say, "You have so much energy, I bet you could run up and down the stairs five times before I finish cooking!"

Keep in mind: Self-awareness can help kids build a skill called self-regulation. This skill is about managing your internal energy. It helps kids manage their emotions and their body movements during tough situations. It also helps them pay attention and learn.

The goal: To help kids practice observing what's going on around them. Picking up on social cues helps kids get their needs met and understand the perspective of others.

Help your child connect these observations with choosing how to behave. For example, when the swings are crowded, your child may decide to go on the slide first.

To help your child come up with ideas, comment whenever you notice your child's positive behaviors: "You just offered to teach your sister a nursery rhyme. Let's talk for a second about what kind of person you're being right now."

Also, you can buy these kinds of cards or find templates online. But kids might like making the cards themselves.

How to play: When you and your child can't agree, use the tune of "This Old Man" to sing these lines: "You want this. I want that. How can we both get what we want?" Then brainstorm solutions and choose the best idea for right now. For example, if your child is demanding to bake cookies at 8 a.m., the best solution might be to wait two hours so you can bake when the baby is napping.

5. Taking turns taking charge

Key takeaways

Simple, fun games can help kids learn to cope with feelings, set goals, and get along with others.

Self-regulation helps kids manage their emotions and their body movements.

Praising good behavior often leads to more of it.

About the author

About the author

Kate Kelly has been writing and editing for more than 20 years, with a focus on parenting.

Reviewed by

Reviewed by

Lynne Kenney, PsyD is a Harvard-trained pediatric psychologist and international educator in Scottsdale, Arizona.

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5 social-emotional learning games to play with your child

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Social-emotional learning activities can help kids learn to manage emotions and get along with other kids. These games are simple, low-cost, and low-tech, and can be built into your daily activities.

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25 Fun Mindfulness Activities for Children & Teens (+Tips!)

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Fun mindfulness activities for kids to teach them about mindfulness. Enjoy!

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Meditation for Kids | The Butterfly Kids' Meditation | Breethe

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A new story book that aims to help children understand and come to terms with COVID-19 has been produced by a collaboration of more than 50 organizations working in the humanitarian sector, including the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children's Fund, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Save the Children.

With the help of a fantasy creature, Ario, "My Hero is You, How kids can fight COVID-19!" explains how children can protect themselves, their families and friends from coronavirus and how to manage difficult emotions when confronted with a new and rapidly changing reality.

The book - aimed primarily at children aged 6-11 years old - is a project of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, a unique collaboration of United Nations agencies, national and international nongovernmental organizations and international agencies providing mental health and psychosocial support in emergency settings.

During the early stages of the project, more than 1700 children, parents, caregivers and teachers from around the world shared how they were coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. The input was invaluable to script writer and illustrator Helen Patuck and the project team in making sure that the story and its messages resonated with children from different backgrounds and continents.

In order to reach as many children as possible, the book will be widely translated, with six language versions released today and more than 30 others in the pipeline. It is being released as both an online product and audio book.

Download the book here
My Hero is You: all language versions
Quotes from collaborating partners
World Health Organization
"Previous humanitarian emergencies have shown us how vital it is to address the fears and anxiety of young people when life as they know it gets turned upside down. We hope that this beautifully-illustrated book, which takes children on a journey across time zones and continents, will help them to understand what they can do to stay positive and keep safe during the coronavirus outbreak."

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General
UNICEF "All over the world, children's lives have been completely upended - the majority of them living in countries with some form of restricted movement or lockdown. This wonderful book helps children understand and navigate this new landscape and learn how they can take small actions to become the heroes in their own stories."
Henrietta Fore, Executive Director
UNHCR "This is an important resource for children around the world with a strong message of inclusion at its heart - that this pandemic can only be beaten if everyone is included in its prevention and response. Children, including those who are refugees, displaced and stateless, can help too. No-one is protected unless we are all protected".
Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
UNESCO "Sharing facts and reliable information is vital to respond to COVID-19, and I wish to commend the creativity and passion of all artists, writers and publishers who find compelling ways to translate and craft stories and artwork so they can reach children and families to comfort and guide them through a distressing situation. UNESCO is proud to support this initiative and we see this as an example of the contribution of the artistic community to the well-being and resilience of all."
Audrey Azoulay, Director General
For requests relating to translations
Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, Email: [email protected]

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Children's story book released to help children and young people cope with COVID-19

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A new story book that aims to help children understand and come to terms with COVID-19 has been produced by a collaboration of more than 50 organizations working in the humanitarian sector, including the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children's Fund, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Save the Children.

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Children need our calm, empathetic presence more than ever. They need accurate information offered in “just right” amounts. They need emotional connections, predictable routines, and practical strategies that can help reduce their risk of exposure to COVID-19, while increasing their resilience and sense of control.

General Guidelines

Be aware of your own reactions and fears. Children notice our anxiety through both verbal and nonverbal cues. Model healthy self-care by continuing to exercise, get adequate sleep, connect with others, and eat a nutritious diet. Children base their responses on those of the adults in their lives. They need a calm, reassuring perspective.

Remind children that family members, teachers, and others care for them and are there to keep them safe and healthy. Local and national community health and government leaders are also working hard to prevent the disease’s spread.

Ask children what they already know or if they have any questions. Offer age-appropriate information based on their responses. Very young children need simple explanations, such as, “Some people have been getting sick. We are being extra careful so we can stay healthy.” Elementary-age children will likely want a few more details. Every child is different and it’s important to tailor your conversation to your child’s developmental level and needs.

Listen to children’s fears and concerns. Offer empathy and understanding, but also help them realistically reframe their fears.

Limit television and social media coverage. Repeated media exposure causes anxiety in children (and adults). Children don’t know a repeated news story is about the same situation vs. a new incidence. Get the facts from a credible news source and then turn the news off. Tell children that the information they get from others or the internet might not always be reliable. Ask them to come to you instead.

Understand that behavioral changes such as irritability, sleeplessness, or changes in appetite are a child’s way of communicating anxiety. With extra comfort and reassurance, these behaviors will likely subside. Contact school staff or a mental health professional with concerns.

Maintain your typical routines as much as possible. Rituals like bedtime stories or after dinner games or walks anchor children in normalcy. Intentionally build emotional connections through play, music, art, conversation, and time in nature.

Take positive action to stay healthy. Teach children to wash their hands frequently with soap and water. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your elbow. Keep their immune system strong with exercise, a healthy diet, and adequate sleep.

Limit nonessential travel and visits to public places, such as museums, concerts, or shopping malls. Stay home if you’re sick and avoid close contact with those who are ill.

Show compassion and empathy for those impacted by the virus. Avoid making negative or stereotypical comments about others, such as blaming a group of people.

Keep basic food, health, and cleaning supplies on hand in your home. Make a simple contingency plan for back-up child care or work disruptions. Be aware of the needs of friends, extended family and neighbors. Simple preparations, as well as emotional connections, can alleviate anxiety.

Talking Points for Children

Children vary widely in their need for information and their ability to understand it. Tailor your conversations to fit your own child’s situation, considering the following topics:

The risk of children becoming seriously ill is small. School and health officials are working to keep people healthy.

Family members, friends, and school staff care about your health. Feel free to share your concerns and questions with an adult you trust.

The coronavirus is spread through close contact with someone who has the virus, through droplets in the air (from coughing and sneezing), or through touching an infected surface.

Symptoms of the virus are usually similar to the common cold or mild flu—fever, cough, or shortness of breath.

There are many things you can do to stay healthy:

Wash your hands with soap and water before meals and after you use the bathroom, wipe your nose, play outside, or handle animals.

Cover your mouth with a tissue or the bend of your elbow and wash hands afterward.

Use soap or a hand sanitizer if soap is unavailable. Frequently clean toys, counters, tables, and other surfaces with a sanitizing cleaner.

Stay home. If you do have to go out, keep some distance between yourself and others. Wash your hands and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Get enough sleep, healthy food, and time outdoors.

Children’s Questions and Answers

As COVID-19 spreads, children are wondering about many things. As caring adults, we do not have all the answers but we can offer honest, age-appropriate information. Below are a few general suggestions for responding to children’s questions, followed by some answers to specific questions.

Find out what children know or are thinking first. Correct misinformation, but don’t overload children with details if they just want a simple answer.

Express appreciation that a child is asking the question. “Thanks for coming to me. I always want to know what you’re wondering about.

Offer honest answers, which might be, “I don’t know, but I’ll let you know when I do.”Remember that children have limited life experience and perspective.

Their questions are usually about themselves and their immediate community and family. “Will I be okay? Will you be okay? What will happen to us?”

Question: What is the coronavirus?

Answer: The coronavirus (or COVID-19) is a newly discovered virus that is making people in many parts of the world sick. Corona is Latin for “crown.” The virus when seen under a microscope looks like a crown with pointy blobs.

Question: What are the symptoms?

Answer: Most people who get the coronavirus have symptoms like a cold or flu, such as fevers, coughs, body aches, or trouble breathing. Kids likely develop very mild symptoms.

Question: What about my grandparents?

Answer: Just like at other times, some people tend to get sicker than others do. Older people, especially those who already have health problems, might have more serious symptoms, but doctors and nurses are doing everything they can to give the best care possible.

Question: Can anyone get coronavirus?

Answer: Yes. Coronavirus is spread through coughs, sneezes, and close contact with someone who’s already sick. It doesn’t matter what you look like or what country you come from.

Question: What will happen if I get sick?

Answer: Children who get the coronavirus usually feel like they have a cold or mild case of the flu. You might have a cough or body aches. You will probably want to rest more and you might need medicines like cough drops or pain reliever. Doctors might give you an exam to see if you have the virus. We won’t see friends or go anywhere. We will take care of you just as we would if you had a cold.

Question: What will happen if you get sick? Can you still work? Will you take care of me?

Answer: If I get sick, I might need to stay in bed for a few days and I probably will not feel very good. I might need to go to the doctor to be tested or for care if I am really sick. Other family members will help take care of you. Depending on how I feel, I will work at home, but mostly, I’ll just be resting to get better as quickly as possible.

Question: What will happen if school closes? Who will take care of me? What will it be like to be home?

Answer: If school closes, we will be home together (or another caregiver will care for you). We will do online school based on what our school decides is best. We will probably have times when we enjoy reading, playing, and spending time together. We might also have times when we feel grumpy or bored. We might need time to ourselves. Whatever we do, we will be together and it will be okay.

Question: Why are the shelves in the stores empty? Why are people so upset? Will we have enough food?

Answer: People know that if they become sick, they might not be able to go to the store for a while. Officials have recommended that we keep enough food in the house to last for a few weeks, but some people are buying a lot of food because they feel scared. Question: Will you lose your job? Answer: Many businesses are closed right now and some people might lose their jobs. I don’t think I will lose mine, but I’m not sure (or whatever is the most accurate response). We are being very careful with our money and we are thinking about what we can do if I do lose my job.

Question: I heard that some people caused the virus. Is that true?

Answer: Viruses, like the virus that causes the flu, are part of life on earth. Some cause more serious illness than others do, but the coronavirus is nobody’s fault. Many people in the world are going through a hard time right now. We can feel empathy and compassion for them instead of blaming them. Blaming people does not do any good and it can make us feel more scared and upset. Instead, we will take good care of ourselves and help other people as much as we can. We will treat others with kindness and respect.

Question: What if I have questions or feel afraid?

Answer: It’s always, always okay to talk with a grownup you trust if you have questions.

Conclusion

We don’t know where or to what extent the virus might spread, but we can offer comfort and reassurance to children as we take care of ourselves, offer factual information based on the child’s needs, build emotional connections and routines, and encourage positive preventative measures.

Additional Resources

Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks, https://store.samhsa.gov/product/Coping-with-Stress-During-Infectious-Disease-Outbreaks/sma14-4885

Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring the New Coronavirus, https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/28/809580453/just-for-kids-a-comic-exploring-the-new-coronavirus

Talking With Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents, and Teachers During Infectious Disease Outbreaks, https://store.samhsa.gov/product/Talking-With-Children-Tips-for-Caregivers-Parents-and-Teachers-During-Infectious-Disease-Outbreaks/SMA14-4886

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Talking to Children about COVID-19 (Corona Virus)

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Peace Out Guided Relaxation for Kids | 14. Cloud Story

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Understanding COVID-19, self-quarantine, and social distancing is difficult enough when you're an adult. What about if you're a child?

Is there an easy way to explain to kids why school suddenly let out in the middle of the school year, why people are wearing masks everywhere, and why parents are now working from home? I'm not sure if "easy" is the right word, but thankfully, many authors and illustrators have created some wonderful children's books with the express purpose of explaining the coronavirus to kids. Many of them are written by medical professionals.

And the best part is, all of these books are absolutely free, which means you can download them right now and start reading them to your children tonight!

by Samantha Harris, Devon Scott, and Harriet Rodis

In Why We Stay Home, siblings Suzie and Millie have to stay home with their parents. When younger sister Suzie expresses her excitement, Millie explains the coronavirus to her.

Harris and Scott are medical students from Loma Linda University School of Medicine in Southern California. This is their first book together, but they hope to make an entire series of Millie and Suzie learning about the human body. Why We Stay Home is also available in French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese!

By signing up you agree to our terms of use

This is the second book in the Adventures of Bray Bray Series, which author Maxie-Moreman created when she wanted more books with black boy protagonists for her nephews.

In the book, Bray Bray learns there are several things he can do to help fight coronavirus, like wash his hands, stay home, and listen to his parents. The last page includes a blank list where children can write down their own ways to conquer the coronavirus if they feel inspired by Bray Bray.

A project by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee's Reference Group on Mental Health, My Hero Is You follows Sara and her magical dragon Ario as they fly around the world, teaching others about the coronavirus.

The book is the result of a global survey of 1,700 children, parents, and caregivers, conducted in five different languages, that assessed children's mental health responses to the outbreak. Themes from the survey were crafted into the book's narrative, and then children and parents gave feedback on the story.

We're Going to be Okay by Ebony Jade Hilton, Leigh-Ann Webb, and Ashleigh Corrin Webb

Written by two physicians at UVA Health in Virginia, We're Going to Be Okay was written specifically for communities of color, which have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

In the book, Parker is excited to go to school until he finds out that school will be closed for a while. "Doctor Mom" then explains all about the virus and the ways that Parker and his family can keep themselves-and other people-safe.

by Elizabeth Jenner, Kate Wilson, Nia Roberts, and Axel Scheffler

In this straightforward and informative book, German illustrator Axel Scheffler (The Gruffalo) lends his talents to giving visual representation to the pandemic.

The book was published by Nosy Crow in consultation with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, a child psychologist, and two teachers. It answers many questions children might have about the virus, like how it's spread, what to do if you catch it, and whether or not there's a cure.

In this imaginative book inspired by Dr. Seuss's My Many Colored Days, Stephens focuses on the psychology of color and how it pertains to mood. Days are labeled things like "Scary Blue," "Angry Red," or "Gloomy, Gloomy, Gray."

In the end, though, the children in the book realize that it's okay to feel many colors at once, and their feelings create a rainbow of support for essential workers.

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6 of the Best Free Children's Books About Coronavirus | Book Riot

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Understanding COVID-19, self-quarantine, and social distancing is difficult enough when you're an adult. What about if you're a child? Is there an easy way to explain to kids why school suddenly let out in the middle of the school year, why people are wearing masks everywhere, and why parents are now working from home?

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Corona virus for children

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CBeebies Wind Down for Kids | Daydreams | 60 minutes

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When we teach mindfulness to kids, we equip them with tools to build self-esteem, manage stress, and skillfully approach challenges. Explore our guide on how to introduce mindfulness and meditation to your children—at any age.

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Your Headspace Mindfulness & Meditation Experts

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We want children to be healthy & happy now & for the rest of their lives. Teach meditation for kids with Headspace, using easy exercises designed for young minds.

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There are several websites that enhance your child’s wellbeing - here are a few links for you to enjoy