Earlsdon Primary School
Pastoral Support
Our school is working with a team of researchers at the University of Oxford on a research project called MY-CATS. The MY-CATS team are testing out a new way of identifying and supporting young children who might benefit from help to build confidence and reduce the chance of problems with anxiety, now and in the future.
We are inviting all parents/carers of children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 classes to take part.
We would love it if all families in these participating classes got involved! As this project is to help reduce problems with fears and worries now and in the future, your child does not need to be experiencing difficulties with anxiety to take part.
We’ve attached more information about the project, and you can watch a short video about the project here:
You can also watch a longer, more detailed video about the project here:
MYCATS parent information session
If you would like to take part, please follow the link below to complete the consent form. When clicking on the link to the parent consent, make sure that you proceed to page 2 in order to provide us with your contact details:
MYCATS parent consent and contact details
You will then receive an email with a link to the screening questionnaires.
Please complete the consent and screening questionnaires by 13th June 2021. We ask one parent/carer to complete the consent and questionnaires for a child. If you have more than one child across the participating classes, you can complete the consent and screening questionnaires for each child.
Any questions please contact Miss Higgs via school office.
Bereavement Support
Talking to our children about their emotions has never been more important. We are all navigating these unprecedented times and often unfamiliar thoughts, feelings and behaviours during the pandemic. This video may support a conversation with your child if they are dealing with managing feelings in general OR about dealing with a seriously ill family member or a loss in the family.
The Invisible Suitcase | Child Bereavement UK
Other activities that you could try to support open conversations about illness or loss with your child are:
- Ways to stay connected with family members who are unwell:
PowerPoint Presentation (childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk)
- Ways to deal with the loss of a loved one
PowerPoint Presentation (childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk)
- Thoughts and feelings about those we miss or have lost
Little-Box-of-Big-Thoughts-Electronic-Form-Fill.pdf (theprestonassociates.com)
- Create a Memory Jar
- Create a Memory Box
- Create an Emotional First Aid Kit
Winstons-Wish-First-Aid-Kit.pdf
- Create a Beaded bracelet
Beaded-Bracelet-Winstons-Wish.pdf
- Create a Button tree
For further support please visit:
Winston's Wish - giving hope to grieving children
Alternatively please speak to your child’s class teacher/ contact the school office.
WAYS TO KEEP YOUR CHILD’S MIND AND BODY HEALTHY DURING LOCKDOWN.
Life isn’t quite what we are all used to at the moment which is why it is really important that we find some time and encourage our children to look after their minds AND bodies alongside their other learning.
We all have lots of different emotions that we feel everyday and it is really important that our children feel confident and comfortable to express how they are feeling so that if they are finding something difficult, we can listen and offer some support or advice to help.
If you have concerns for your child's well-being during lockdown these links may offer some support:
CREATING A ROUTINE:
https://www.partnershipforchildren.org.uk/uploads/Files/PDFs/Resilience%20Activities/Creating%20a%20Routine.pdf
FEELINGS DIARY:
COPING TOOLBOX:
WORRY JAR:
https://www.partnershipforchildren.org.uk/uploads/Files/PDFs/Resilience%20Activities/Worry%20Jar.pdf
An alternative idea for this is to create a CALM JAR filled with water, glitter, any other objects that your child finds soothing and some food colouring to make it colourful. Shake the jar to represent mixed up emotions and watch it settle to support your child to calm down and discuss techniques to help them calm down.
PRACTISE MINDFULNESS
Mindfulness means paying full attention to something. It means slowing down to really notice what you're doing. Being mindful is the opposite of rushing or multitasking. When you're mindful, you're taking your time. You're focusing in a relaxed, easy way and using all of your senses to explore what you are doing in that moment.
https://youtu.be/oRzbzu-ugJg this is a mindful eating exercise- choose your child’s favourite food and enjoy!
https://youtu.be/c1Ndym-IsQg this is a mini mindful meditation to ground yourself in the present moment
https://youtu.be/uNHLhHyjbd0 this could be used to start your week
https://youtu.be/SEfs5TJZ6Nk 3 minute mindful breathing meditation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-6f5wQXSu8 10 minute meditation for anxiety
There are also mindful mediations to help sleep too! If you would like any more information on mindfulness please contact Mrs McAteer, Mrs Bloomfield or Miss Higgs.
It is important for your child to take a break and MOVE THEIR BODY! It’s good to get outside for a daily walk or other exercise but other things you could try are:
YOGA
https://youtu.be/Td6zFtZPkJ4 10 minute yoga for the classroom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF7O6-QabIo 15 minute rainbow yoga
https://www.nhs.uk/change4life/activities/indoor-activities Disney inspired indoor games
https://www.nhs.uk/10-minute-shake-up/shake-ups 10 minute ‘shake up’ activities
Please contact your child’s class teacher or the school office if you need any further support for your child’s well-being during lockdown.
