If your child is having particular problems or worries and is in need of extra emotional support, you might want to take a look together at The Go-To’s pages for young people about coping with common issues.
How to encourage resilience
You might notice some behaviours in your child during times of change or when life is feeling difficult, for example:
- They might be especially clingy, tearful or reluctant to go to school.
- They might have physical symptoms like an upset stomach, feeling sick or a headache.
- Their sleep might be affected and they might wet the bed.
- They might be very argumentative, be uncooperative or behave in a way that you find really challenging.
Some general things which you can do at home will encourage children to be more resilient and able to cope with life’s ups and downs
- Agree house rules and be consistent as far as possible. Routine is really helpful for children to feel safe.
- Reward good behaviour and acknowledge this by clearly saying what it is your child has done well and why you are pleased.
- Provide a healthy and balanced diet and try to eat family meals together as much as possible.
- Encourage your child to talk about their day, and offer reassurance and praise. Talking and listening properly require hard work and patience, but are really important especially as children get older or when things feel tense or difficult.
- Support your child to sleep well. Ensure wind down time at bed time, read a book or tell a story.
Sleep Support Service
New sleep support workshops for North Yorkshire families
The way sleep support is provided for children and young people in North Yorkshire is changing.
The current one-to-one sleep support offer is moving to online group workshops, helping the service to support more families within the available capacity.
The workshops will provide parents and carers with practical sleep information and strategies, with online follow-up drop-in sessions available after the workshop.
How to access the workshops
Families can access the offer by completing the referral form. Once the form has been submitted, workshop information and an invitation will be sent directly to the parent/carer.
Families can also find further information, advice and resources to help with sleep on The Sleep Charity website.
Things you might find useful
Growing healthy
The role of the Healthy Child Service is to deliver the Healthy Child Programme for children aged 0-19 years and their families.
Visit Growing Healthy website
BBC Bitesize
The BBC Bitesize website has information, top tips and stories on how to best prepare for high school.
Visit BBC Bitesize website
Coping with anxiety
Is your child suffering with feelings of anxiety? Young Minds has some useful information on how best to support your child.
Additional needs and support
Does your child have additional needs or a disability? Visit the North Yorkshire Council SEND Local Offer for advice and support. This includes information on transitioning from Primary to Secondary school.
Parenting advise
The Place2Be website offers parenting advice (information and videos) from child mental health experts on a wide range of topics, including ‘My child is anxious’ and ‘Helping children with positive gender identity’.
Visit Place2Be website
Helping your child prepare for Secondary or High School
The Place2Be website has tips on helping your child to adjust, including ways to build your child’s confidence, resilience and self-esteem.
Visit Place2Be website
Podcasts to support sleep
Podcasts to play children before bedtime, to help them relax and fall asleep.
Visit Tutti Frutti website