Menzies Creek Primary School 

Meet Hollie...

Student Wellbeing

CALM THROUGH CHAOS

Hi Families,

With all the chaos ensuing from COVID-19, I thought it might be useful for families to have some resources around staying calm in the midst of the anxious climate that seems to be surrounding us.

Our brain is amazing and you may already be aware that our brain's response to danger (perceived or real) is there to help us survive. But these survival tactics can also be unhelpful when danger isn't imminent and cause us to feel anxious. For a simple and fun explanation of the parts of the brain follow this link: https://growyourmind.life/

At school and home children can quickly pick up messages that communicate anxiety; sometimes the information they have received is a bit like Chinese whispers, ending up in some very strange misinformation which can be scary.

As grown ups who care for children we can be instrumental in helping them keep calm. Raising children has some great information particular to COVID-19. The main take away points: 

  1. Tune into your child's knowledge and feelings about COVID-19.
  2.  Use a calm and reassuring tone to relay the facts.
  3. Limit TV and social media exposure (good for adults too)

For more detail, access the webpage here: https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/a-z-health-reference/coronavirus-and-children-in-australia#talking-to-children-about-coronavirus-covid-19-nav-title

 

Other things can help with anxiety too. Focussing on gratitude and using mindfulness techniques are simple but effective. 

Smiling Mind is a free app developed especially for children https://www.smilingmind.com.au/

Kidshelpline have some good resources for parents, a webpage and chat function for kids to connect with trained counsellors as well as their phone line 1800 55 1800.

One thing I find enjoyable and fun with my own kids is having some time each day where we share good and funny things. This can be over dinner, in the car or before bed. You can even write them down and collect them in a jar to look at later.

Despite COVID 19 there are still many wonderful things in the world and in our small corner of it here in Menzies Creek P.S. 

Take care and keep smiling,

Hollie