World Mental Health Day - Supporting Your Family's Mental Health

We understand that it can be difficult to manage our own wellbeing as well as our children’s wellbeing, but focusing on your child’s wellbeing as well as your own will have a positive impact on your family’s health and wellness.  

Supporting Your Family’s Wellbeing

Here at Busy Bees, we believe that a child’s wellbeing is essential to their happiness, whether that is physical or related to children’s mental health. Our range of wellbeing activities are a fantastic resource for you and your family.  

Gratitude Stretch

Invite your child to join you to do some stretches. Stretch your arms up high and think of someone that makes you happy. Stretch out your legs and think of something that makes you happy. Shake it out and think of something that you are looking forward to.  

Blow Out The Candle 

Ask your child to pretend they are holding a candle in front of them. Invite them to take a really deep breath in through their nose and then blow out their candle by breathing out through their mouth.

Try Some Yoga

Yoga helps to support our bodies physically, enhancing strength, body awareness and balance. Carrying out yoga with your child can support their physical development as well as creating a sense of calm and relaxation. Why not start your day with some yoga stretches? Try our yoga poses here.  

Share Nursery Rhymes 

Research suggests that music stimulates the body’s natural feel-good chemicals so singing your favourite nursery rhyme together has so many benefits for your family’s mental health. Try the following when you sing your next nursery rhyme together:

• Home languages – if you speak another language at home, why not try singing to your child in this language? Our brains remember more words easily when they are linked with music so your child will be able to pick up words to rhymes in other languages quite easily. 
• Use actions – using actions supports gross and fine motor development as well as hand-eye coordination.
• Make up songs – as well as making up songs about routine activities, you can also change the lyrics of songs to suit your child’s interest. For example, 5 dinosaurs went stomping one day (to the tune of 5 little ducks) or drive, drive, drive your car (to the tune of row, row, row your boat). 

Incorporating Wellbeing Exercises into Daily Life 

Incorporating just one activity into your daily life could significantly help with your family’s mental health. 

Although World Mental Health Day aims to highlight the importance of making wellbeing a priority, it is something here at Busy Bees, we strive to embed into the foundations of our childcare. We hope that the activities help to support your child in many ways.  

We’d love to see you try our activities at home. Please share on social and don’t forget to tag us on Facebook @busybeesuk and Instagram @busybees_uk #UPatBusyBees.  

If you’re an existing Busy Bees parent, don’t forget to check out UP at Busy Bees – Unleashing Potential for more wellbeing activities.