Wellbeing

 

 

 

 

 

WELLBEING

Feeling the lockdown slump? We understand, we are too. But we continue to do everything we can to practise Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness to foster a positive mindset – it really does work when you focus on three things that went well in your day! Research through The Resilience Project tells us that after 21 days your brain begins to scan the world for the positives. In fact, we become 3 times more likely to notice a positive than a negative!

For you …

A number of Parent Webinars continue to be offered – please see below for some recommended options:

Trish Thomas from PsychAssist 

Michael Carr-Gregg from last week … 

Other useful resources:

As recommended by one of our parents, check out this great podcast on parenting: Happy Families with Dr Justin Coulson 

Raising Learners podcast series, released on September 1st and available on the RCN website

For your child …

New Episodes of GEMTV begin Monday, 11am weekdays. Keep an eye out for some shout outs to BBPS students who have uploaded entries, as advertised last week via our Comms, its still not too late to get involved: 

The Resilience Project need your help: We’ve been invited to contribute to Season 2 of GEM TV. 

Here’s what you need to do:

·         Watch Martin’s video - Click Here

·         Create your own video capturing yourself practising GEM

·         Submit your clip to education@theresilienceproject.com.au as soon as you can along with a signed Media Release Form

·         Tune in to season 2 of GEM TV from the 7th of September at 11am.

Screen Time continues to be an area of focus for many families as students engage online in order to access their learning and maintain social connection.

The American Academy of Paediatrics has released new recommendations for screen time for kids. Concerns about screen time in this current climate should be centred on quality rather than quantity. Remote learning does not count towards screen time. As Michael Carr Gregg raised in the parent session advertised above, increased time on screens for children is realistic at the moment – but what are they looking at?

See the advice Michael Carr Gregg referred to from the The American Academy of Paediatrics as follows: 

Managing a child’s screen time is challenging for families. Your child is never too young for a screen-time plan. Consider the following as a guideline:

• Until 18 months of age limit screen use to video chatting along with an adult (for example, with a parent who is out of town).
• Between 18 and 24 months screen time should be limited to watching educational programming with a caregiver.
• For children 2-5, limit non-educational screen time to about 1 hour per weekday and 3 hours on the weekend days.
• For ages 6 and older, encourage healthy habits and limit activities that include screens.
• Turn off all screens during family meals and outings.
• Learn about and use parental controls.
• Avoid using screens as pacifiers, babysitters, or to stop tantrums.
• Turn off screens and remove them from bedrooms 30-60 minutes before bedtime.

Screens are here to stay and can offer many positives. It’s never too early to develop a screen-time plan with your family. Let your children share their ideas and concerns. Some additional tips to keep in mind are:

• Familiarise yourself with programming to make sure it is age-appropriate.
• Talk to your child about what they are seeing. Point out good behaviour, such as cooperation, friendship, and concern for others. Make connections to meaningful events or places of interest.
• Be aware of advertising and how it influences choices.
• Encourage your child to learn other activities such as sports, music, art, and hobbies that do not involve screens.
• Set a good example with your own safe and healthy screen habits.
• Teach children about online privacy and safety.
• Actively decide when your child is ready for a personal device.
• Encourage using screens in ways that build creativity and connection with family and friends.
• Consider your child or teen’s maturity and habits. The right plan for one family may not be a good fit for another.

Positive and healthy screen use is possible with proper guidance and consistency. A Lockdown-Screen Time plan might be something to consider developing with your family.