PBSES/Counselor Family Support
Creekside Elementary
May 14, 2020
Supporting Mental Health & Well-Being
- Have a daily check-in time. Each person can share a high and a low for that day. This can take just a few minutes and can go a long way towards ensuring that everyone feels safe, supported and connected.
- Take time to engage in self-care and reflection with your child. Try one of the art activities below!
- Openly share your feelings and encourage your child to share as well. If your child has a hard time opening up, try having this conversation while doing a shared activity. Try these prompts to start the conversation and keep it going:
How are you feeling today?
You seem sad. Is everything okay?
Describe your day in three words
Tell me more about that...
I'm glad you told me
We will get through this together
Positive Behavior Support
Distance learning is challenging. Caregivers are tasked with being a parent while also a teacher and playmate. The dynamics of these three roles colliding can impact each relationship. We see you and are here for you.
In an effort to nurture healthy development, research shows that children of all ages need: playtime, downtime and family time.
Playtime means unstructured time for social interactions and playing informal sports, games, and other activities for fun. Structured extracurricular activities are great and can lead to positive development, but kids also need time for exercise and unstructured play.
Downtime is time set aside beyond structured activities or academics to relax, reflect, or just be. Research suggests that kids need downtime throughout the day — in addition to enough sleep at night — for their physical and emotional health.
Family time creates a sense of connection and belonging. Research shows that when kids are part of a family unit that spends time together, they are more likely to feel supported, safe, and loved unconditionally, as well as have increased self-esteem and better academic outcomes. Try to incorporate 20-25 minutes a day, 5 days per week.
Printable tips sheet HERE.