Your child’s mental health and well being is something that deserves as much care and attention as their academics 

 

With that in mind, knowing how to teach your child to care for their mental well being is the first step

 

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Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this is a topic that deserves and needs to be discussed all year long. Mental Health is an important part of your overall health. Children younger and younger are experiencing mental health stressors, anxiety, and depression.

As parents, it is important to open the discussion about mental health with children, and provide them with tools, tips, and resources to help them express and manage their feelings, emotions, and thoughts in a safe, positive manner.

This is why I comprised this list of stimulating mental health activities for children. This list of activities can hopefully be used to create your child a mental health “toolbox” of sorts; an arsenal of resources that they can refer to when they need it.

 

 

Related post: Help reduce your child’s anxiety with these tools

 

10 mental health activities for children

Many of the activities listed can be used by both children and adults alike. Remember, fostering mental health is vital for all family members and their overall mental well being!

1. Journal

Journaling is a great way for children and adults to express their feelings and emotions in a constructive, positive manner. Provide them with pencils, crayons, markers, and stickers to help them with expressing themselves. Encourage your child to draw and write whatever they are feeling or thinking about, and talk about the journal entries afterwards.

 

2. Create something

Another great way for children to express their emotions is to pour their energy into a project. Having some child creative kits on hand so that your child will have access to these projects when needed. Check out a few of the creative kits that may interest your child.

 

3. Listen to music

There is a reason that music is used as a form of therapy in pediatric hospitals; music can be extremely beneficial for encouraging rest and relaxation in children. Using music as a calming tool can help children establish, strengthen and manage their own self-regulation. When children learn how to help themselves relax and focus, they develop a strong, healthy foundation for managing stressful situations.

As much as music has the power to generate excitement and make kids want to get up and move, it can be also be equally effective at helping kids slow down their breathing, thoughts and bodies.

 

4. Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness has become something that is incorporated into people’s daily lives. It is a helpful tool for children and adults to use as a mental health resource. Being mindful helps to calm and relax you, reduce stress, and can be used in anxious situations. Children can develop a mindfulness routine or practice that they can use when needed.

 

 

5. Go outdoors

It’s no secret that being outdoors can be beneficial for your mental health. For this to be effective, simply go outside and be in nature. No need for any activities or toys, just simply sit outside and take notice of your surroundings. Take in all the wonders of nature; the sights, the sounds and everything that it has to offer

 

Related post: Family friendly activities & resources that promote Mindfulness

 

6. Get moving

Physical movement is not only important physically, but also mentally. Moving your body can help with the release of feel-good endorphins and also decrease the stress hormone cortisol. Go for a walk, ride bikes, dance to some upbeat music, go for a run; whatever you choose, just get your bodies moving!

 

7. Make a calm down jar

Another fun activity that is great for your mental health is a calm down jar. They allow children to take a moment or two to manage their emotions, thoughts and feelings. They are simple and fun to make, and are great for both children and adults.

Making a calm down jar:

Here’s what you’ll need:

• an old water bottle or small juice bottle (preferably plastic)
• warm water
• glitter glue
• loose glitter

Here’s how to make them:

1. First, fill your bottle with warm water
2. Then add in some glitter glue
3. Next, add in some loose glitter

When your child needs a moment, have them shake it up to watch the glitter slowly float to the bottom. It is very soothing and relaxing to watch the glitter settle. Encourage them to do some deep breathing as they watch the glitter move throughout the bottle.

 

 

8. Make your own stress balls

Stress balls are another calming activity that helps children take a brain break. For both children and adults, a stress ball can help distract them from a somewhat difficult, anxious or overwhelming situation. A stress ball can hopefully be a helpful tool for children to use to help diffuse a tantrum or meltdown from occurring.

Making a DIY balloon stress ball:

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 12 inch balloon
• flour or rice
• a funnel
• a pen
• sharpies for decorating

Here’s how to make them:

**NOTE: the balloons will eventually become brittle and break apart. If you can, double the balloons for added durability before starting.**

1. First, get two balloons and blow them up to stretch them out
2. Carefully release the air from your balloons
3. Using the pen, double up your balloons.
4. Using the funnel, slowly fill your balloon with flour
5. If needed, use the stick or skewer to compact the flour into your balloon
6. Next, tie a knot in the balloons
7. Using the sharpie, carefully decorate your stress ball
8. Your stress ball is ready to be used!

At times when your child may feel anxious or stressed, have them gently squeeze their stress ball. Remind them to inhale and exhale deeply with each squeeze.

 

9. Practice yoga

Yoga has been used for hundreds of years as a method of healing and relaxation. There are so many benefits of practicing yoga for both children and adults. For kids, practicing yoga regularly can benefit them in their overall development and mental well being.  Incorporating yoga into your child’s mental health toolbox can provide them with developing self regulation skills for managing their emotions and feelings.  Even if you do not practice yoga, you can still introduce your child to some simple yoga poses!

 

Related post: 10 fun & easy yoga poses you can do as a family

 

10. Meditation

Some parents may be leery of meditation, especially for their children. If you take out the “spiritual” aspect of meditation, then you’ll see that it can be useful for children. Meditation is more about being mindful, and practicing focusing on breathing, thoughts, and feelings.  It is similar in some ways to practicing mindfulness, so if you look at it this way, it is a great tool for children to use! is sometimes There are plenty of benefits to teaching children how to meditate. They’ll learn balance, find their inner peace, build self-confidence, self-control, develop empathy, and promote their mental well being. This Mindful Breathing Buddha is a great tool!

 

To conclude

This is just the tip of the iceberg for activities and resources that you can use to begin the topic of positive mental health with your children.  Use this as a starting point to open the discussion on the importance of expressing their emotions, being mindful, accepting & managing their feelings, all the while being diligent on stressing to them that how and what they feel and think is valued, important and valid.

Providing a safe, comfortable and positive atmosphere for them to be expressive will hopefully create an open space for them to develop ways to self regulate, learn social emotional learning tools and foster their mental well being!

 

 

Be kind to your mind!

 

Anitra J.