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Saturday, 10th of October marks World Mental Health Day. This year's theme is " Mental Health for All: Greater Investment, Greater Access, Everyone, Everywhere."
While we work continuously to support the wellbeing of our students and staff, the wellbeing of our entire school community is important to us. If you are concerned about your own mental health or that of a loved one it is essential to know that there are a number of supports available to you.
The following "Community Support Tree" was developed by Mental Health Ireland and outlines local supports and services specific to the Dublin area.
While we work continuously to support the wellbeing of our students and staff, the wellbeing of our entire school community is important to us. If you are concerned about your own mental health or that of a loved one it is essential to know that there are a number of supports available to you.
The following "Community Support Tree" was developed by Mental Health Ireland and outlines local supports and services specific to the Dublin area.
Wellbeing Wednesday
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Since returning to school we have all been spending lots of time learning about and encouraging good wellbeing practices.
Today we used this guided visualisation to help us think about all of our talents and abilities. We can often be our own worst critics so it is important for our students to acknowledge that we all have different qualities to offer. Afterall, that’s what makes Scoil Iosa such a great place to be. Imagine if we all had the same talents and skills what a boring world that would be!!
Guided visualisations are great for creating a sense of calm and relaxation and to relieve any stress we might be holding in.
Check out the video and some of the images the children drew in response.
Today we used this guided visualisation to help us think about all of our talents and abilities. We can often be our own worst critics so it is important for our students to acknowledge that we all have different qualities to offer. Afterall, that’s what makes Scoil Iosa such a great place to be. Imagine if we all had the same talents and skills what a boring world that would be!!
Guided visualisations are great for creating a sense of calm and relaxation and to relieve any stress we might be holding in.
Check out the video and some of the images the children drew in response.
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It's that time of year again when teachers and students alike begin to make preparations for returning to school. Typically, feelings of anticipation, excitement and sometimes even nerves begin to settle in as we look forward to seeing our friends and the endless possibilities that come with the fresh start of a new school year. As we know, this is not a typical back to school season and the change of returning to school after over 5 months at home may be overwhelming for children.
As our staff are finalising the details of returning to school this year, here are things you can do to help your child cope with the change in the meantime.
1.Talk
Talk about returning to school now. Give them time to prepare and process the change that lies ahead. Listen to their concerns and ask them about their worries. Acknowledge and validate their feelings. Don’t forget to also ask them what they look forward to about going back to school.
2. Routine
Now may be time to begin introducing a new routine if necessary. Easing into their bed-times and morning routines will help them adjust easier .
3. Choice
Perhaps they can pickout their own school bag or their own stationary. This will help give them a sense of control and feel valuable.
4.Prepare
Ensure your child is familiar with hand washing, coughing and sneezing hygiene so they know what to expect in school. Remind them it is important to keep us all safe. Make it fun - encourage them to sing a song or make up their own while they are washing their hands. Help them to understand that although it’s usually very kind to share it’s important that they do not share with others for the time being.
5.Gentle Reminders
Remind your child how much their teachers are looking forward to seeing them. Be sure to tell them, we will do our very best to make them feel comfortable and safe. Children could write a letter to their teacher sharing what they are looking forward to and what they are worried about so we can best support them when they return.
6. Look after yourself
Many parents have worries and concerns about returning to school. It is important that you know where to get support or advice should you need it.
As our staff are finalising the details of returning to school this year, here are things you can do to help your child cope with the change in the meantime.
1.Talk
Talk about returning to school now. Give them time to prepare and process the change that lies ahead. Listen to their concerns and ask them about their worries. Acknowledge and validate their feelings. Don’t forget to also ask them what they look forward to about going back to school.
2. Routine
Now may be time to begin introducing a new routine if necessary. Easing into their bed-times and morning routines will help them adjust easier .
3. Choice
Perhaps they can pickout their own school bag or their own stationary. This will help give them a sense of control and feel valuable.
4.Prepare
Ensure your child is familiar with hand washing, coughing and sneezing hygiene so they know what to expect in school. Remind them it is important to keep us all safe. Make it fun - encourage them to sing a song or make up their own while they are washing their hands. Help them to understand that although it’s usually very kind to share it’s important that they do not share with others for the time being.
5.Gentle Reminders
Remind your child how much their teachers are looking forward to seeing them. Be sure to tell them, we will do our very best to make them feel comfortable and safe. Children could write a letter to their teacher sharing what they are looking forward to and what they are worried about so we can best support them when they return.
6. Look after yourself
Many parents have worries and concerns about returning to school. It is important that you know where to get support or advice should you need it.
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How you think and feel affects what you do and how you act. Through our thoughts we are speaking to ourselves all of the time. According to Bryce Courtney, we direct 20,000 words a day to ourselves, almost all of which are negative. To help us understand the negative impact of this he uses a friend as an example and asks: “How long would you keep a friend if you did the same thing?”
When focusing on our well being we have to be our own best friend, and just as we speak to our friends we should talk to ourselves nicely too!
Teaching children about the importance of positive self talk from a young age can help reduce stress, motivate and boost self esteem over time.
Try out the following steps to work on positive self talk at home:
1. Create a list of positive self talk statements- you can help the children to create their own or use this free list of positive thoughts and affirmations linked below
2. Practice turning negative thoughts into positive ones
3. Model using positive self talk aloud in front of your children
For more information and free support downloads check out :
https ://www.thepathway2success.com/how-to-teach-positive-self-talk/
When focusing on our well being we have to be our own best friend, and just as we speak to our friends we should talk to ourselves nicely too!
Teaching children about the importance of positive self talk from a young age can help reduce stress, motivate and boost self esteem over time.
Try out the following steps to work on positive self talk at home:
1. Create a list of positive self talk statements- you can help the children to create their own or use this free list of positive thoughts and affirmations linked below
2. Practice turning negative thoughts into positive ones
3. Model using positive self talk aloud in front of your children
For more information and free support downloads check out :
https ://www.thepathway2success.com/how-to-teach-positive-self-talk/
Wellbeing Wednesday
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The average person takes 16 breaths per minute, that's 960 breaths an hour and 23,040 a day! Most of the time we breathe without even realising , but it’s when we take notice of our breathing that we can use it as an excellent tool when faced with worry or anxiety, to de-stress and relax. It's simple, it's free and we can use it any time, anywhere!
Self - regulation plays an important role in our school and we are always doing our best to equip the children with the skills to deal with overwhelming emotions so that they come to a place where they are happy, and ready to learn. Ask your child about the breathing or calm down exercises they use in class or try out some of the exercises outlined below.
Encourage your child to use this as a coping skill when faced with emotions such as anger, stress, tension or worry. Like any skill, practice makes perfect. It will take some support and prompts from adults before it is mastered as an independent self regulation skill.
To read more about the importance of breathing checkout this fabulous resource from the PDST here: www.pdst.ie/sites/default/files/Breate%20-%20Self%20Regulation%20and%20Relaxation%20Techniques%20for%20Children%20~PDST.pdf
Self - regulation plays an important role in our school and we are always doing our best to equip the children with the skills to deal with overwhelming emotions so that they come to a place where they are happy, and ready to learn. Ask your child about the breathing or calm down exercises they use in class or try out some of the exercises outlined below.
Encourage your child to use this as a coping skill when faced with emotions such as anger, stress, tension or worry. Like any skill, practice makes perfect. It will take some support and prompts from adults before it is mastered as an independent self regulation skill.
To read more about the importance of breathing checkout this fabulous resource from the PDST here: www.pdst.ie/sites/default/files/Breate%20-%20Self%20Regulation%20and%20Relaxation%20Techniques%20for%20Children%20~PDST.pdf
Wellbeing Wednesday
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Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day."
-Alice Morse Earle.
Studies show that practicing gratitude on a daily/ weekly basis makes you happier. Now more than ever, it might seem hard to find things to be thankful for but if we look hard enough they are there!
Follow these 3 easy steps to get started
3. Start writing! Suggest sentence starters if they need:
For more information on the benefits of gratitude journalling check out some of the following articles:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier
https://www.scholastic.com/parents/books-and-reading/raise-a-reader-blog/gratitude-journal-for-kids.html
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ie/blog/mindful-anger/201807/science-proves-gratitude-is-key-well-being
-Alice Morse Earle.
Studies show that practicing gratitude on a daily/ weekly basis makes you happier. Now more than ever, it might seem hard to find things to be thankful for but if we look hard enough they are there!
Follow these 3 easy steps to get started
- Watch this story with your child and talk about the idea of showing gratitude and being thankful https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0Tr66OrEWA ‘Looking on the brightside’ is a habit that may take some encouragement at first. Use prompts like who did you play with today? What was your favourite part of the day? What made you smile or laugh today? What activities are you glad you got to do today? Who made you feel loved today ?
3. Start writing! Suggest sentence starters if they need:
- Thank you for ________.
- My happy thing is ______.
- I’m grateful for ________.
For more information on the benefits of gratitude journalling check out some of the following articles:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier
https://www.scholastic.com/parents/books-and-reading/raise-a-reader-blog/gratitude-journal-for-kids.html
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ie/blog/mindful-anger/201807/science-proves-gratitude-is-key-well-being
Wellbeing During School Closure
The current situation is difficult for all of us, and now more than ever, it is really important that we make wellbeing a priority.
Established routines and trying to keep things as normal as possible will help all of us through this. Even with the sun shining outside it’s hard to remain positive all of the time. We have set up this section of our website to offer some ideas and links which may be of support to you.
Remember that it is perfectly normal to see a change in your child’s behaviour/ sleeping patterns/ mood etc. Try to keep talking with them as they may feel anxious and worried about all that is going on.
You may find some helpful resources on parentline.ie or by calling LoCall 1890 927277 or 01 8733500.
If we can, try and remind ourselves, that this is temporary, it will pass and all will go back to normal.
So for now, take care of yourselves and your family and take the time to enjoy the little things in life.
At home with weaving wellbeing journal for kids
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