Supporting pupils

Here are some tips for supporting children, and below, some links where they can access resources and support.

Top tips to support children and young people

The Anna Freud Centre recommends:
• Be there to listen - Regularly ask how they're doing so they get used to talking about their
feelings and know there's always someone to listen if they want it. Find out how to create a
space where they will open up. How to start a conversation with your child
• Support them through difficulties - Pay attention to their emotions and behaviour, and try to
help them work through difficulties. It's not always easy when faced with challenging
behaviour, but try to help them understand what they're feeling and why. Help with difficult
behaviour and emotions
• Stay involved in their life - Show interest in their life and the things important to them. It not
only helps them value who they are but also makes it easier for you to spot problems and
support them.
• Encourage their interests - Being active or creative, learning new things and being a part of a
team help connect us with others and are important ways we can all help our mental health.
Support and encourage them to explore their interests, whatever they are.
• Take what they say seriously - Listening to and valuing what they say, without judging their
feelings, in turn, makes them feel valued. Consider how to help them process and work
through their emotions more constructively. The Anna Freud Centre support guide
• Build positive routines - We know it still may not be easy, but try to reintroduce structure
around regular routines, healthy eating and exercise. A good night's sleep is also really
important – try to get them back into routines that fit with school or college. Sleep tips for
children

On My Mind
The Anna Freud Centre has produced a set of free self-care tools called On My Mind. They provide
simple self-care activities which children and young people can do at home. Written by young people
to help other young people who are feeling low or anxious. The strategies should also be useful to
adults can be found here and cover the subject matters summarised below.
• Dealing with loss and bereavement
• Self-care
• Receiving Support
• Understanding referrals
• Managing social media
• Helping someone else
• Jargon Buster
• Shared Decision making
• Know Your Rights

Online tools

Take a look at our school virtual library which covers topics of feelings, emotions, diversity, values and loss.

Childline provides online tools that children and young people may find helpful:

Toolbox | Childline

• Calm Zone - activities to let go of stress
• Games to take your mind off things
• Information and advice on topics from feelings, relationships, family and schools
• Peer support message boards
• Childline Kids, the website for under 12s concerns.

Kooth: Home

Kooth is an anonymous site which helps children aged 11+ and young people to feel safe and confident in exploring their concerns and seeking professional support.

https://www.kooth.com

The Lily Jo Project

https://www.thelilyjoproject.com/

Building Resilience

I am an amazing person

I can

Positive affirmations

My positivity jar

My 10 minute journal

If you or your child are experiencing anxiety, here are resources, contacts, helpful videos and advice to support you.

Stress and Anxiety
• In Hand – Stress - www.inhand.org.uk/
• Mindshift – Anxiety – www.anxietybc.com/resources/mindshift-app
• Headspace - Meditation - Meditation and Mindfulness Made Simple - Headspace
• CALM – Meditation - www.calm.com/

Anxiety & Worry

Let your worries go

Returning to school challenge

Worry box

Worry tree

Gratitude & Thankfulness

Bedtime reminde r & gratitude cards

Gratitude journal

Gratitude wall

Growth Mindset & Resilience

Stories of resilience

Positive affirmations