Dawn Until Dusk Covid-19
Support for parents and colleagues
We want to be able to do all we can to help parents, children and colleagues during this difficult time. Below we have put some helpful information guides and links that we hope you find useful.
Support for Parents and Children
What is the Coronavirus and why is everybody talking about it? This great YouTube video answers questions that children may have about the Coronavirus and has clear explanations about the impact it has had on so many.
Children’s Books To Help Kids Navigate Life During A Pandemic
These stories cover handwashing, germs, anxiety, separation and more
Paula and the pandemic – Dorothea Lawrence
I don’t want to wash my hands – Tony Ross
Thank you Helpers – Patricia Hegarty
If you can’t bear hug air hug – Katie Sedmark
Germs are not for sharing – Elizabeth Verdick
When the world stayed inside – Mikey Woz
Identifying Early Anxiety Symptoms in Children
When young children feel anxious, they cannot always understand or express what they are feeling. You may notice that they:
- become irritable, tearful or clingy
- have difficulty sleeping
- wake in the night
- start wetting the bed
- have bad dreams
In older children, you may notice that they:
- lack confidence to try new things or seem unable to face simple, everyday challenges
- find it hard to concentrate
- have problems with sleeping or eating
- have angry outbursts
- have a lot of negative thoughts, or keep thinking that bad things are going to happen
- start avoiding everyday activities, such as seeing friends, going out in public or going to school
Physical symptoms of anxiety may include:
- shaking
- shortness of breath
- butterflies in the stomach
- a hot face
- clammy hands
- dry mouth
- a fast heartbeat
Younger children also:
- stop playing with the toys they usually enjoy
- become withdrawn
- are more tired
- eat more or eat less
- seem to put in less effort or give up more easily in usual activities that they would show enthusiasm for
- become over-excited or they may change their behaviour to get attention
- start talking louder to be heard
It is important to reach out and seek help if you think your child may be struggling, take a look at the NHS website for more information.
Support for Colleagues
The mental health and wellbeing of all our colleagues is very important to us. We continue to keep in touch with all our staff during these difficult times and have an open door policy to ensure they keep us up to date with how they are feeling and getting on whilst not in work.
The websites below highlight some fantastic information and tips for keeping ourselves happy and healthy throughout difficult periods.
Tips for taking care of your mental wellbeing
Some ideas to help you take care of your wellbeing during the Coronavirus pandemic.
These tips may work for different people at different times. The important thing to remember is not to put pressure on yourself.
- Connect with others
- Get some fresh air – go for a walk or cycle
- Take up a hobby to pass the time
- Try not to watch too much news
- Try Mindfulness if you are feeling anxious or low
- Eat regularly and stay hydrated
Websites that may be of interest
Guidance for the public on the mental health and wellbeing aspects of coronavirus – Gov.uk website
Mental wellbeing for all adults
Mind org
Wellness Action Plan
Wellness Actions Plans (WAPs) are an easy, practical way of helping you to support your own mental health at work and, if you are a manager, helping you to support the mental health of your team members. This is a great resource from Mind. Downloads are available on their website here.
Activities that can be enjoyed at home with your children
We want to support our families through these difficult times, especially as we understand the effect these lifestyle changes can have on children. We have put together some resources that may help during lockdown periods.
BBC Tiny Happy People – website is filled with information and activity ideas. It is updated regularly with new items.
Place2Be – a children’s mental health charity, has some ideas to help conversations aswell as activities for you and your children to enjoy.