We hope you have been enjoying family time together, especially over the school holiday. The start of the summer term is going to be very different from any other year. Teachers will stay in contact with children, setting work in different curricular areas. Health and Wellbeing is an important part of the curriculum. This update gives additional advice to pupils and parents / carers about how to look after mental and physical health at this challenging time.
Chill Panda
A free app for children and adults to learn how to manage stress and feel better.
Calm
A mindfulness app that includes various relaxing sounds, visualisations, “sleep stories” and guided meditations.
Cove
This app helps people to capture their mood and express it by making music. You don’t need to know how to play an instrument.
Healthier Minds
Healthier Minds is East Renfrewshire’s guide to supporting the mental wellbeing of children and young people. The ‘Talking about Covid-19’ section is being updated regularly by Educational Psychology Service and there are links to other useful websites. There is a new section on Bereavement, Grief and Loss and COVID-19. A page on Staff Wellbeing has been added. You can find more on Twitter @eastreneps .
Children’s Parliament
All our lives have changed very quickly because of the Coronavirus. Children’s Parliament want to find out how it has affected children. You can help children get involved in Scotland’s national children’s survey for 8 to 14 year olds here: bit.ly/How_are_you_doing
ER Youth Voice
Members of the local Youth Voice group have produced a video to promote positive mental health and demonstrate community support for our front line workers. Further films are planned – anyone who wants to get involved can contact Kira through Twitter.
Parentline Scotland
This service, run by Children 1st, is for anyone who needs it. Call 0800 028 2233, browse the website for advice and support, or start a webchat.
Tripsavvy
Here are 15 virtual field trips for children of all ages. Try them together as a family.
Anna Freud Self Care
Self-care is about the things we can do to look after our own mental health. This site has some great suggestions.
Physical Health
East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure
Our active schools coordinators are tweeting great ideas for ways to stay active at home: #beingwellwithERCL. The one linked above is a challenge to do as many toe touches on a ball as you can in 20 seconds.
Cosmic Kids Yoga
Yoga videos designed for children aged 3+. Great for physical and mental health.
Play Scotland
Boredom Busters is a new app for 8-12 year olds from Play Scotland to get children playing more in different ways.
Premier League Primary Stars
Videos and activities with Premier League football players to support Maths, Literacy, PSHE and PE.
Child Smile
This site is dedicated to improving the oral health of children in Scotland. There is great advice for parents and carers, in particular at a time when it is difficult to get a dental appointment.
Buzzin’ & Brushing
Fun videos to encourage good teeth brushing.
We will send another update next week … good luck with these and stay healthy!
The Quality Improvement Team.
