Whiteley Primary School
Other pages
Below are links to a number of resources to support parents and children who may be struggling with their mental health during the school closures.Hampshire CAMHS has a number of useful online resources:
https://hampshirecamhs.nhs.uk/help/young-people/coronavirus-help-support-and-advice/
Hampshire and Isle of Wight educational psychologists are also opening up their helpline to parents during this crisis. The phone line for the south region is 02392 441 497 and it is open Mon-Fri 9.30-12.30, 1.00 – 4.00.
Answering Children’s Questions about Coronavirus
https://www.place2be.org.uk/about-us/news-and-blogs/2020/march/coronavirus-information-for-children/
https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/talking-to-your-child-about-coronavirus/
Online stories/social stories to explain coronavirus
Dave the Dog online story book
https://www.whiteleyprimary.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Dave-The-Dog-Coronavirus.pdf
ELSA story book about Coronovirus:
https://www.elsa-support.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Childrens-story-about-coronavirus.pdf
What’s Going on? Social story for younger children:
https://www.whiteleyprimary.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Social-Story-What-is-Going-On.pdf
Comic for slightly older children:
Social story about pandemics:
https://carolgraysocialstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Pandemics-and-the-Coronavirus.pdf
Social story designed for children with autism:
Resources for children to access themselves to deal with anxiety or find out more about coronavirus
https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/what-to-do-if-you-re-anxious-about-coronavirus/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/51861089
Childline has a number of resources for children, including a ‘calm zone’ and advice on dealing with their worries about the world:
Advice for parents
The Anna Freud Centre offers a range of resources to support parents. This includes a video for parents on supporting children and a set of self-care strategies for young people:
https://www.annafreud.org/what-we-do/anna-freud-learning-network/coronavirus/
Mind offer advice to adults on managing their mental health and well-being:
Here is a really lovely resource for children (and parents) to help understand anxiety:
https://www.priorygroup.com/media/594863/understanding-childhood-anxiety-v1.jpg
Useful article and tips about sleep.
https://www.thetherapistparent.com/post/sleep-worries
Helping your child to deal with the death of a loved one due to Covid-19:
Parenting and Family Support:
Sleep
Are you worried about sleep patterns?
Our sleep may be affected without the routine of school and work, anxiety about the virus, and uncertainty of the future. This can be particularly evident for children with neurodevelopmental issues such as Autistic Spectrum Disorder, who are often sensitive to changes in routine. Excess screen time, especially in the evening, can have a detrimental impact on sleep as it stimulates the brain and makes it hard to wind down.
Why is it important?
- Sleep encourages an effective immune system – more important now than ever.
- Sleep improves brain function helping our attention, memory, behaviour, and learning.
- Sleep improves mood. Lack of sleep can cause or worsen feelings of depression and anxiety.
- Sleep improves mental health.
How much sleep should children be getting?
- Children 3-5 years old: 10-13 hours
- Children 5-9 years old: 10-11 hours
- Children 10-16 years old: 9-10 hours
Some useful reading:
Sleep tips for families during Covid-19 disruptions.
Selfcare Sleep Tips from Anna Freud Centre.
Tackling Sleep Problems with Young Minds.
Please see the link below with information about the support school nurses can provide at this time if you have concerns about your child’s health and well-being.
