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Get free wellbeing and mindfulness tools made for young people with input from mental health experts.

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Practice addition, multiplication, fractions and algebraic reasoning with our popular math games. Discover fun learning games kids love to play.

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Times Tables Games for 7 to 11 year olds

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Times tables games for Key Stage 2 children

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Infectious disease outbreaks like coronavirus (COVID-19), can be worrying. This can affect your mental health. But there are many things you can do to mind your mental health during times like this.

How your mental health might be affected

The spread of coronavirus is a new and challenging event. Some people might find it more worrying than others. Try to remember that medical, scientific and public health experts are working hard to contain the virus.

Most people's lives will change in some way over a period of days, weeks or months. But in time, it will pass.

You may notice some of the following:

increased anxiety

feeling stressed

finding yourself excessively checking for symptoms, in yourself, or others

becoming irritable more easily

feeling insecure or unsettled

fearing that normal aches and pains might be the virus

having trouble sleeping

feeling helpless or a lack of control

having irrational thoughts

If you are taking any prescription medications, make sure you have enough.

How to mind your mental health during this time

Keeping a realistic perspective of the situation based on facts is important. Here are some ways you can do this.

Stay informed but set limits for news and social media

The constant stream of social media updates and news reports about coronavirus could cause you to feel worried. Sometimes it can be difficult to separate facts from rumours. Use trustworthy and reliable sources to get your news.

Read up-to-date, factual information on coronavirus in Ireland here.

On social media, people may talk about their own worries or beliefs. You don't need to make them your own. Too much time on social media may increase your worry and levels of anxiety. Consider limiting how much time you spend on social media.

If you find the coverage on coronavirus is too intense for you, talk it through with someone close or get support.

Keep up your healthy routines

Your routine may be affected by the coronavirus outbreak in different ways. But during difficult times like this, it's best if you can keep some structure in your day.

It's important to pay attention to your needs and feelings, especially during times of stress. You may still be able to do some of the things you enjoy and find relaxing.

For example, you could try to:

Stay connected to others

During times of stress, friends and families can be a good source of support. It is important to keep in touch with them and other people in your life.

If you need to restrict your movements or self-isolate, try to stay connected to people in other ways, for example:

Many video calling apps allow you to have video calls with multiple people at the same time.

Remember that talking things through with someone can help lessen worry or anxiety. You don't have to appear to be strong or to try to cope with things by yourself.

Talking to children and young people

Involving your children in your plans to manage this situation is important. Try to consider how they might be feeling.

Give children and young people the time and space to talk about the outbreak. Share the facts with them in a way that suits their age and temperament, without causing alarm.

Talk to your children about coronavirus but try to limit their exposure to news and social media. This is especially important for older children who may be spending more time online now. It may be causing anxiety.

Try to anticipate distress and support each other

It is understandable to feel vulnerable or overwhelmed reading or hearing news about the outbreak.

Acknowledge these feelings. Remind yourself and others to look after your physical and mental health. If you smoke or drink, try to avoid doing this any more than usual. It won't help in the long-term.

Don't make assumptions

Don't judge people or make assumptions about who is responsible for the spread of the disease. The coronavirus can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, nationality or ethnicity. We are all in this together.

Online and phone supports

Face-to-face services are limited at the moment. But some services are providing online and phone services.

There are also many dedicated online services that can help.

Use our mental health services finder to find support. Check all the services websites to see what online and phone supports are available.

OCD and coronavirus

If you have OCD, you may develop an intense fear of:

catching coronavirus

causing harm to others

things not being in order

Fear of being infected by the virus may mean you become obsessed with:

hand hygiene

cleanliness

avoiding certain situations, such as using public transport

Washing your hands

The compulsion to wash your hands or clean may get stronger. If you have recovered from this type of compulsion in the past, it may return.

Follow the advice to wash your hands properly and often, but you do not need to do more than recommended.

Things you can do to help:

Read more about obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms, treatment and getting help.

page last reviewed: 14/03/2020
next review due: 14/03/2023

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Minding your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak

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Infectious disease outbreaks like coronavirus (COVID-19), can be worrying. This can affect your mental health. But there are many things you can do to mind your mental health during times like this. The spread of coronavirus is a new and challenging event. Some people might find it more worrying than others.

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Everyone has ups and downs in life and these can be even harder to cope with when you are a teenager.

This is natural though as you are going through many changes in your body, your emotions and how you are thinking about life in general.

It is also an exciting time. You probably have more freedom and have more involvement in decisions about your life than you did when you were younger. You are moving towards adulthood, when you will be making more important decisions independently. In the meantime you will have many questions about yourself and the world around you as you grow and develop.

You may be going through some difficult issues or you may just find that sometimes, everyday life can be a bit tricky. Hopefully this website will give you some of the information that you might be looking for. If you need more information, check out the Finding Help section, with names and contact details of useful organisations, websites and helplines for young people.

Teen Life and Issues

It is important for all of us to keep an eye on how we are feeling in general so we can make changes if things start to get on top of us. Life can be pretty stressful at times so you need to make sure you look after your overall well-being.

Well-being relates to all aspects of your life. It can include the thoughts in your head and how your body feels, as well as how you feel at home, at school and when with friends or other young people. Here are some things that are important for your overall well-being:

Eating properly and getting regular exercise.

Getting enough sleep (about 8 or 9 hours a night).

Finding a balance between study time, sports or other commitments and time to relax and unwind.

Being safe in your surroundings. This means living free from abuse, bullying and violence, including watching someone else, like a friend or family member, suffer from violence or abuse.

Having a family or guardians that support and guide you and give you important life skills.

Having responsibilities and independence that are appropriate for your age.

Praise and encouragement.

Receiving extra support with difficult issues such as illness, bullying, loss of a loved one, or any form of abuse.

Freedom to express your culture and ethnic background.

Opportunities to explore and develop your varied interests and talents.

Opportunities to reach your potential at school, college or work.

Opportunities to explore moral, religious and philosophical matters.

Having someone who cares about you and is there for you when you need them.

Having an adult who can be a mentor or role model in your life.

Just Remember

Teenagers have rights, just like everyone else.

Teenagers experience many physical and emotional changes in their lives.

Well-being means looking after yourself and having opportunities to grow and develop.

There are useful tips below to help with the stresses of teenage life.

There are useful websites and organisations to support teenagers.

The Rights of Children and Young People

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (which Ireland signed up to in 1992) provides many rights to all children and young people in order to protect them, promote their well-being and help them to develop their unique potential. These include the right:

To be safe.

To be protected and live free from violence, abuse or harm (this includes witnessing violence and abuse).

To be brought up by their parents in a family, unless it is not in their interests.

To express their views and to have them taken into account in matters that affect them.

To have decisions that will affect them made in their best interests.

To be treated with dignity, respect and fairness.

To be free from discrimination, bullying and harassment of any kind.

You have the right to be safe all the time.

Being safe means living free from abuse, bullying and violence. That includes watching someone else, like a friend or family member, suffer from violence and abuse. This can mean:

Physical - such as hitting, kicking, pushing.

Sexual - any sexual contact you don't want, verbal or physical.

Verbal - such as name calling, threats, stalking.

Abuse and violence are against the law. You don't have to put up with it at home, school or in a public place. It's not your fault if people are hurting you. If you don't feel safe, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, friend, relative, teacher or school guidance counsellor, youth worker or another adult you trust.

You could also make contact with one of the following support services:

Childline - A confidential telephone service 1800 666 666 or text list to 50101

Cari - For concerns about sexual abuse 1890 924 567

HSE - Infoline 1890 24 1850 to find details of the social worker for your area

Samaritans - 1850 60 90 90

If you are ever in danger call the Guards on 999

For more information on Domestic Abuse go to this section of the website. For more details on support services available for young people, check out the Finding Help section.

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Everyone has ups and downs in life and these can be even harder to cope with when you are a teenager. This is natural though as you are going through many changes in your body, your emotions and how you are thinking about life in general. It is also an exciting time.

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The Easter Rising was a rebellion against British rule in Ireland. It took place in the capital city, Dublin. It began on April 24, 1916, which was the day after Easter that...

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In September 1939, Britain entered into what would become the world's most devastating war to date. Learn all about the events that changed the lives of millions in our World War 2 facts....
World War 2 facts

1. World War 2 was a battle between two groups of countries

- the " Allies" and the " Axis ". The major Allied Powers were Britain, France, Russia, China and the United States. The major Axis Powers were Germany, Italy and Japan.

(AD)

2. Before World War 2 began, Germany was ruled by a man named Adolf Hitler

Together with the Nazi Party, he wanted Germany to rule Europe. To gain more land and power, on 1 September 1939 German troops invaded Poland. After Hitler refused to stop the invasion, Britain and France declared war on Germany - World War II had begun.

3. During the course of the war, German forces advanced through Europe.

Did you know that we have a FREE downloadable Second World War primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!

4. Millions of Germans were imprisoned and killed because they didn't fit the image of the 'perfect' German

Hitler wanted to create what he thought was the "best" and strongest race - and to the Nazi Party, this excluded certain groups, such as Jews, Gypsies and those with physical and mental disabilities. In an attempt to eliminate a "racial enemy" outside of Germany, such groups were also persecuted in the countries invaded by German forces.

5. The group most heavily targeted by the Nazis were the Jews

Around six million Jewish people were killed during World War 2 in one of history's most terrible events - the Holocaust. Racist in his views, Hitler blamed Jewish people for Germany losing World War I and claimed they were dangerous to German people and society.

6. Around the same time that Germany fought for power in Europe, Japan wanted to control Asia and the Pacific

In 1937 (before World War 2 had officially begun) under Emperor Hirohito, Japan attacked China, bringing the two nations into years of conflict.

7. The US didn't join the war until 1941, when Japan attacked the United States

- at their Naval Base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. On 8 December 1941 (the very next day), the US declared War on Japan and, in turn, its German allies.

8. Some countries remained 'neutral' in World War 2

Such countries were Spain, Sweden and Switzerland - who chose not to join either side.

9. The Germans surrendered on 8 May 1945

In 1944, an Allied army crossed from Britain to free France from Nazi rule. One year later, Allied armies invaded Germany, forcing the Germans to surrender. After nuclear attacks on Japan's major cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan also surrendered to Allied forces in August the same year. World War 2 had ended.

10. Around 64 million people died in World War 2

- that's more than the entire population of the United Kingdom.

Find out more about the countries involved in World War 2 with our Germany, Japan and USA facts. Plus, learn about the life of Anne Frank, a young German girl who wrote a world-famous diary...

*Yugoslavia was a country established in 1918 in south-east Europe, which included modern-day Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

*USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or the Soviet Union) was a former country which included modern-day Russia, Ukraine and Estonia, as well as other socialist states.

What did you think of our World War 2 facts? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

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Learn astonishing World War 2 facts with Nat Geo Kids. When did the war start? Who fought in in the war and why? How did it change the course of history?

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Interesting facts, images and videos about World War II for primary school children to use in topic-work.

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27 Ideas For Kids Artwork You Might Actually Want To Hang

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Help them help you with that empty wall space.

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Roinnt smaointí anseo agus píosa suimiúla

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Roinnt smaointí anseo agus píosa suimiúla

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If you're looking for some fun science experiments for kids then you've come to the right place. Check out our free experiments section, full of fascinating hands-on experiments that are a great way to enjoy the world of science.

Learn interesting science and technology facts by experimenting with different materials that react in surprising ways. You'll find many experiments can be done using simple ingredients found around the house (with adult supervision of course). Basic materials can help you perform experiments that are simple, safe and perfect for kids. Enjoy our fun science experiments, make cool projects, show friends & family what you've discovered and most importantly, have fun!

Raw or Boiled Egg?

Can't tell if your egg is hard boiled or raw? Find out a sneaky way to know for sure with this simple experiment.

Use black light to make glowing water and find out exactly how it works with this fun science experiment for kids.

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Fun Science Experiments for Kids - Cool Projects & Easy Ideas for Children

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If you're looking for some fun science experiments for kids then you've come to the right place. Check out our free experiments section, full of fascinating hands-on experiments that are a great way to enjoy the world of science. Learn interesting science and technology facts by experimenting with different materials that react in surprising ways.

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Each child has an account

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With schools closed and League of Ireland games postponed, our reporter Tom O'Connor (@LoiMuinteoir) has been hard at work and has produced a set of club specific lessons suitable for 3rd to 6th class students. Over the coming week, he will add lessons for each of the League Of Ireland clubs.

With parents trying to keep their children entertained and educated during this difficult period, the lessons are a perfect combination for any parent with a football-loving child.

O'Connor, a teacher by trade and author of the award-nominated series " Education: Life Beyond Soccer," is hoping these lesson packs will be of assistance to parents.

"I started this idea on Twitter and I am delighted extratime.ie were willing to promote and host the lessons. I would love if clubs would come on board and link the packs on their websites and social media channels.

"For now we have four or five club packs complete but we will keep producing them over the next few days and we will also have an Irish pack for St. Patrick's Day."

The first lessons are available below and, as new lessons are ready, they will be added and linked below.

Designed as a simple conversation which can be added to as you feel comfortable. Suitable for fans of all clubs aged 7+. Use the accompanying audio files to help you.

I lár na páirce

CORK CITY

Maths - 3rd / 4th class

English - 5th / 6th class

Geography - 3rd / 6th class

FINN HARPS

Maths 3rd / 4th class

English 3rd / 6th class

Geography 3rd / 6th class

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Maths - 3rd / 4th class

Geography - 3rd / 6th class

English - 3rd / 6th class

CABINTEELY

Maths - 3rd / 4th class

Geography - 3rd / 6th class

English - 3rd / 6th class

LONGFORD TOWN

Maths - 3rd / 4th class

Geography - 3rd / 6th class

English - 3rd / 6th class

ST. PATRICK'S ATHLETIC

Maths - 3rd / 4th class

Geography - 3rd / 6th class

English - 3rd / 6th class

BRAY WANDERERS

Maths - 3rd / 4th class

Geography - 3rd / 6th class

English - 3rd / 6th class

UCD

Maths - 3rd / 4th class

Geography - 3rd / 6th class

English - 3rd / 6th class

DROGHEDA UNITED

Maths - 3rd / 4th class

Geography - 3rd / 6th class

English - 3rd / 6th class

SLIGO ROVERS

Maths - 3rd / 4th class

Geography - 3rd / 6th class

English - 3rd / 6th class

GALWAY UNITED

Maths - 3rd / 4th class

Geography - 3rd / 6th class

English - 3rd / 6th class

WEXFORD

Maths - 3rd / 4th class

Geography - 3rd / 6th class

English - 3rd / 6th class

Tune back in this evening for lessons based on other clubs. If you wish to contact Tom you can do so on Twitter @LoiMuinteoir or @extratimeNews

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Lessons in Football with Tom O'Connor --- Your club, your class - ExtraTime.ie

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With schools closed and League of Ireland games postponed, our reporter Tom O'Connor (@LOIMuinteoir) has been hard at work and has produced a set of club specific lessons suitable for 3rd to 6th class students. Over the coming week, he will add lessons for each of the League Of Ireland clubs.

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A brand spanking new award, set up to inspire action and recognise the fantastic work carried out by individual students in Ireland, north & south!

Fundraise any way you like and if you reach €50 we'll send you on a flash pin with your name on it.. Actually, it's not your name, it's our name!!

€50 to €100: Silver Pin & Certificate

€100 PLUS: Gold Pin & Certificate

Contact [email protected] for more information, and don't forget to let us know how you get on!

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A brand spanking new award, set up to inspire action and recognise the fantastic work carried out by individual students in Ireland, north & south! Fundraise any way you like and if you reach €50 we'll send you on a flash pin with your name on it..

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Ábhar teagaisc, cluichí agus neart eile faoin Aontas Eorpach agus faoina chuid gníomhaíochtaí, le haghaidh múinteoirí, páistí agus déagóirí

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Welcome to the Body Coach TV where I post weekly home workouts to help you get, stronger, healthier and happier.

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CBeebies | My World Kitchen | Italian Olive Pizza Recipe