If your child is having particular problems or worries and 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
Encouraging resilience
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 Scheme
The Sleep Charity has been commissioned to provide a pilot sleep support service for children and young people in North Yorkshire.
The sleep service includes providing online one-to-one sleep clinics for families (click here for more information) and developing sleep plans with parents/carers to help address sleep issues and establish a regular night-time sleep pattern. All families will have follow-up support and where needed, will be referred to primary and secondary care for any medical investigations.
The Sleep Charity will provide appropriate sleep advice and support for parents/carers of disabled and non-disabled children aged 12 months to 18 years of age. Those with a Special Education Need or Disability and/or Education Health Care Plan will have access to the service up to their 25th birthday.
The charity also offer free foundation sleep workshops for parents/carers across North Yorkshire. Click here for more information.
Families can self-refer or speak to their GP.
Referrals can be accepted from GP Practices for children age 12 months upwards, by telephoning Claire on 07568 052300.
Families can self-refer by telephone or text to Claire on 07568 052300 or by email to [email protected]
Things you might find useful
Getting ready for high school
The North Yorkshire Growing Healthy service provide support for children’s emotional health and wellbeing, including if a young person has an emotional health need and they are struggling with the transition from primary to secondary school.
Visit Growing Healthy 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.
BBC Bitesize
The BBC Bitesize website has information, top tips and stories on how to best prepare for high school.
Visit BBC Bitesize website