Mental Health and Wellbeing News

Dear Parents and Carers,

Following on from the information about gratitude in the last newsletter, here are a few activities you might find helpful and fun to do with your children.

• Gratitude Journaling:

Encourage children to write down 3 things that went well for them each day or use a gratitude journal with prompts. 

• Family Dinner Discussions:

At dinner, have everyone share something they are grateful for or something that went well that day. 

• Gratitude Jar: 

As a family, start a jar where each person writes down things they are grateful for and read them aloud together. 

• Gratitude Walks:

Go for walks and point out things you are grateful for, like the sun, the trees, or the kindness of strangers.

2. Express Gratitude:

• Thank You Notes:

Have children write thank-you notes to people who have been kind or helpful. 

• Verbal Appreciation:

Encourage children to say "thank you" more often and to express appreciation for others. 

• Acts of Kindness:

Help children identify ways to show kindness and gratitude to others, like helping a neighbour or volunteering. 

3.Focus on the Positive:

• "Gratitude Glasses": Encourage children to imagine they are wearing "gratitude glasses" and look for the good in situations. 
• Reflect on Challenges: Discuss how gratitude can help overcome challenges and focus on the positive aspects of difficult situations. 
• Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate small achievements and positive experiences. 

The Resilience Project has an at home website that you might like to explore. I have included the web address below. There are things on there for kids, teens, adults and parents.

https://theresilienceproject.com.au/at-home/home-2023/

If you have any questions or would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Deb Owens

Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader