Health & Wellbeing
Resources for your family's wellbeing
Managing the isolation and social distancing period is challenging for everyone, perhaps in ways that are not even apparent yet. Keeping yourself physically and mentally healthy are so important. Your children will be used to talking about their own wellbeing, discussing how they are feeling and talking through any issues they are facing at school. Using the extra time at home to talk through thoughts and feelings is a great idea, and gives everyone a better insight into how others are feeling, and why they may be responding to things in ways they normally wouldn't.
Remembering to use Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness is one way to redirect our thinking when we may be feeling overwhelmed or anxious. Using Gratitude as a way of being positive about challenging situations is a beautiful way to round off a day, and I know there are many families already embedding practises around this into their daily routine.
A range of useful wellbeing resources and contacts for organisations that are skilled in helping individuals through times of stress and challenge can be found at the following sites -
Supported by the Australian Government, this resource helps people find trusted information on mental health and wellbeing and support services in Australia.
Suggested activities, guidance and inspiration to help you find the balance in all areas of your life while navigating the ups and downs.
Information on what a healthy work/life balance looks like and how to establish this.
Articles, research papers, policies and frameworks, toolkits and webinars related to children’s mental health.
A not-for-profit network of people and organisations committed to developing individual and community wellbeing, especially in education.
Report into preventing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-harm and youth suicide.
Remember that although school may look a little different this term, we are still a source of support for students and families. If you are worried about the health and wellbeing of yourself or someone you are caring for, please contact your child's teacher or a member of the school leadership team.
Support with children's behaviour
Karina Stocker is a parent in the school and school council representative who is a teacher and a behaviour analyst, with extensive experience in supporting teachers and parents to understand and work with children's behaviour. Karina has kindly offered for me to pass on the following information.
"I would like to offer support to any family in our community that might need it (it would obviously be free). If you are a family that might need some extra support dealing with your child’s behaviour during this time (including their engagement in academic tasks set by the teacher), please feel free to send me an email. I can zoom with parents, call to chat through some strategies or send you some specific resources etc.
Thank you to Karina for this kind offer. I encourage you if you are struggling with your child to contact the school or Karina for support. This a very different situation for everyone and children (even the angels) can find buttons you didn't know were there to be pushed sometimes.
Email Karina at: karinastocker@iinet.net.au
Email Jess Mann (Assistant Prin) at: mann.jessica.l@edumail.vic.gov.au
Karina also shared this helpful guide to get you thinking about parenting for positive behaviour during this time:
Resources for talking to children about Coronavirus
Thank you to Lainie Berka, School Council Representative, for sharing this resource, an illustrated book explaining the virus to children.
Axel Scheffler Coronavirus Book
And thank you, too, to Kate Seyer (teacher of Prep SH) for sharing these social stories to help children understand the situation.