Here, former primary school teacher Catherine Lynch of leading education resources and lesson planning experts PlanBee, has ten tips for parents to improve the mental health of their children
1. Make time for family time
Designate time each week when there are no screens and no distractions. Build a den, cook, paint, craft, or go for a walk. The important thing is to spend some quality stress-free time connected doing something together. Success has different guises, have a day where you forget about the end goal and the focus is on being together. Photo: .
2. Create a nurturing environment
While the need may be innate, the skill of developing and maintaining connections is learned. You can create this environment at home by working as a team, sharing responsibilities and making sure everyone’s efforts are appreciated. Think about ways your family is looking out for each other and remember that showing appreciation and keeping the lines of dialogue open consistently will help your children learn these skills. Photo: .
3. Keep some level of structure to the day
This does not mean you need to timetable every second of every day. Being in lockdown can make the days merge into one. Use activities or responsibilities to break up the time and bring some structure to it. Agree a time for quiet activities, work, going outdoors, etc. Photo: .
4. Take learning outside
Go on ‘I spy challenge walks,’ find out how exercise changes their heart rate, have timed races, explore shadows, find mini-beasts, classify animals, identify plants and identify birds. The list is endless. Follow your child’s lead, see what they have questions about and research the answers together. Photo: .