Encourage children to talk about their own personal stories about covid-19. Provide opportunities for children in primary schools to explore different perspectives, talk about any worries and ask questions. Using the ‘Road Map’ approach, children shared their thoughts and views about the issues already widely discussed by politicians, teachers and parents. When we consider the debate around schools on social media, TV and radio from a child’s perspective it is clear that the uncertainty around the safety of returning to school will weigh heavy on their minds. The constant narrative about what’s safe and what isn’t, the confusion about opening schools and mixed messages about PPE will have been heard by all our children, but how they have made sense of it all will be different for each one.

The Rainbow Plan is a child-friendly introduction to coronavirus health and wellbeing during a global pandemic. It can be used by parents and teachers to communicate five key messages and mitigate the risks of infection for children attending school or going out and about in the community. The resource can be presented to young children (3 - 7 yrs) at home before they return to school in June in a small group assembly when they are back in school as posters around the home and in school or in a book format to share 1:1 with a trusted adult

Inspire EYFS/KS1 children at home with books that will set them off on a remotelearning journey for the week. All the books and activities have been tried and tested by children and are designed to engage, enthuse and extend learning with easily accessible links to indoor/outdoor activities that will promote independent learning that goes beyond the computer screen. Download these creative home learning PDFs once a week or in a five-week block. The books can all be purchased online or viewed on youtube with follow-on practical activities that can be revisited over the week. Send the PDF to parents or use in lockdown school to plan your week.

Inspire EYFS/KS1 children at home with books that will set them off on a remote learning journey for the week. All the books and activities have been tried and tested by children and are designed to engage, enthuse and extend learning with easily accessible links to indoor/outdoor activities that will promote independent learning that goes beyond the computer screen. Download these creative home learning PDFs once a week or in a five-week block. The books can all be purchased online or viewed on youtube with follow-on practical activities that can be revisited over the week. Send the PDF to parents or use in lockdown school to plan your week.

This series of images showing key workers can be used in the primary classroom to get children talking about their own experiences of Covid-19. Encourage children to tell the story for each character. What did they do? Why did they do it? How did they feel? Who do you know who did that role? The child-friendly images provide a starting point for discussion which will help young children to make sense of the world around them. Creating a space for active listening; providing an opportunity for children to ask questions and for teachers to address any misconceptions that are causing concern.

Inspire EYFS/KS1 children at home with books that will set them off on a remotelearning journey for the week. All the books and activities have been tried and tested by children and are designed to engage, enthuse and extend learning with easily accessible links to indoor/outdoor activities that will promote independent learning that goes beyond the computer screen. Download these creative home learning PDFs once a week or in a five-week block. The books can all be purchased online or viewed on youtube with follow-on practical activities that can be revisited over the week. Send the PDF to parents or use in lockdown school to plan your week.

A colourful and child-friendly way of teaching young children how to stay safe during the coronavirus pandemic. This book creates a community around the child - 100 little characters working together to limit transmission of the infection. Communicate key messages in a developmentally appropriate way; encourage conversation, let children share any fears and discuss their worries. Protect the mental health of your children in school and at home. Encourage children and parents to share the book together before coming back to school and help your children to weave a rainbow of hope around their world. Threads of Hope Soft Cover Book available for £3.99 from www.katiewaller.com/shop

Early childhood education during a pandemic is challenging. Teaching young children to wash their hands is an effective way to prevent the transmission of coronavirus in schools, early years settings and in the home. This colourful poster can be used to encourage and remind young children to wash their hands independently to mitigate the spread of covid 19. Use this resource to talk about the importance of hand-washing and infection in ways that are child-friendly and developmentally appropriate.

A resource for classroom assemblies or PSHE to encourage young children to talk about their feelings. Children are introduced to the vocabulary to describe six ‘big feelings’ that are important for emotional wellbeing. As children talk, the teacher is able to gain insight into each child’s state of health and wellbeing. The set of slides can be used one slide-a-day as a conversation starter or as preparation for using a ‘Worry Box’ as an ongoing strategy to support mental health in the early years.

Inspire EYFS/KS1 children at home with books that will set them off on a remote learning journey for the week. All the books and activities have been tried and tested by children and are designed to engage, enthuse and extend learning with easily accessible links to indoor/outdoor activities that will promote independent learning that goes beyond the computer screen. Download these creative home learning PDFs once a week or in a five-week block. The books can all be purchased online or viewed on youtube with follow-on practical activities that can be revisited over the week. Send the PDF to parents or use in lockdown school to plan your week.

Protect and strengthen children’s mental health and wellbeing competencies. Use this checklist to guide your observations and pedagogical discussions in EYFS , a visual reminder to focus on building resilience at a time when many children and their families are subject to feelings of anxiety and stress. Observe children at play and identify each child’s strengths and areas for development in terms of mental health. Reflect on your enabling environment and how it supports each child to develop mental health and wellbeing competencies. Support your understanding of a child at risk, or one who is causing concern by responding to the questions as an EYFS team.

Inspire EYFS/KS1 children at home with books that will set them off on a remote learning journey for the week. All the books and activities have been tried and tested by children and are designed to engage, enthuse and extend learning with easily accessible links to indoor/outdoor activities that will promote independent learning that goes beyond the computer screen. Download these creative home learning PDFs once a week or in a five-week block. The books can all be purchased online or viewed on youtube with follow-on practical activities that can be revisited over the week. Send the PDF to parents or use in lockdown school to plan your week.

https://www.routledge.com/A-Voice-of-My-Own-A-Thought-Bubbles-Picture-Book-About-Communication/Jackson/p/book/9781032135885 ISBN 9781032135885 The characters in this book communicate in different ways. Can you work out what they mean through their voices, gestures and expressions? With growing concerns around mental health, and in the wake of a period of uncertainty and change, it is more important than ever to pay attention to how young children express their emotions, and to teach them to articulate their thoughts in a healthy way. This beautifully illustrated picture book has been created to teach children about the importance of communication; both in finding their own ‘voice’ and listening to others, however they communicate. By demonstrating how easy it can be to interpret a non-verbal communication system, it encourages children to notice and talk about non-verbal cues, giving them the opportunity to actively listen and reassuring them that they will be listened to. When it comes to child and adolescent mental health issues, prevention and early intervention is key. The ‘serve and return’ format of this book provides a virtual space where children can explore thoughts and feelings, teaching them that they can feel safe and heard.

Children are encouraged to think, talk and reflect about the different experiences people may have had during the past month. Helping young children to understand there are different stories and different perspectives is important when thinking about their own experience.

Early childhood education during a coronavirus pandemic is challenging. Supportive relationships and social distancing are both critical priorities that will ensure the health and wellbeing of the child. Physical separation is necessary to slow down the progression of the pandemic, whereas responsive social interaction is essential for strengthening resilience. This book has been written to help you introduce play-based learning activities at home. The ‘serve and return’ interactions that you have with your child, whilst engaging in the activities will help protect your child’s developing brain and build resilience. Maintaining social connections through the use of photo-books can help parents and care-givers to build a responsive relationship with a child. Stories about children doing familiar activities, provide a vital link between children and their friends which will help to reduce the effects of ongoing stress.

https://www.routledge.com/Someone-to-Listen-A-Thought-Bubbles-Picture-Book-About-Finding-Friends/Jackson/p/book/9781032135892 Everybody is busy, busy, busy. They have no time to stop and listen to each other. With some hard work and patience, the children create a meal that their whole community can enjoy, finding friendship along the way. With growing concerns around mental health, and in the wake of a period of uncertainty and change, it is more important than ever to pay attention to how young children express their emotions, and to teach them to articulate their thoughts in a healthy way. This beautifully illustrated picture book has been created to help children understand the importance of having someone to listen to you. Children are encouraged to think about how characters might be feeling at different points in the story, and think about what makes the characters feel valued. When it comes to child and adolescent mental health issues, prevention and early intervention is key. The ‘serve and return’ format of this book provides a virtual space where children can explore thoughts and feelings, teaching them that they have a place in their community. Cultivating Resilience in Early Childhood (Routledge). Someone to Listen available to pre-order. TES readers can receive a 20 per cent discount by using the code APR20 until 30 September.

Early childhood education during a coronavirus pandemic is challenging. Supportive relationships and social distancing are both critical priorities that will ensure the health and wellbeing of the child. Physical separation is necessary to slow down the progression of the pandemic, whereas responsive social interaction is essential for strengthening resilience. This book has been written to help you. The ‘serve and return’ interactions that you have with your child, whilst talking about the children in the photographs, will help protect your child’s developing brain and build resilience. Maintaining social connections through the use of play-based activities and stories can help parents and care-givers to build a responsive relationship with a child. Stories about children doing familiar activities, provide a vital link between children and their friends which will help to reduce the effects of ongoing stress.

A poster showing the importance of observing both competency and risk when considering a young child’s mental health and wellbeing. Children who have low mental health competency will need support from sensitive adults to address the gaps in their health and wellbeing. Use this model alongside the checklist of competencies to consider a child causing concern. Reflect on your enabling environment and encourage pedagogical discussion about the needs of children in your setting.

A simple format to frame your catch-up conversations with children as they meet back together in school. Find out about what they have been doing and what they have enjoyed but also give each child a chance to share any worries and consider who is available in school if they need to talk. Lets put children at the heart of our catch-up programmes and show them in 1:1 conversations that we are listening and we value what they have to tell us.

www.routledge.pub/A-Place-of-My-Own Johan, Hana, Ratheena and Sami have found some magical wellington boots. When they put them on, they are transported to wonderful and comforting places, and even through time. Where will they take you? With growing concerns around mental health, and in the wake of a period of uncertainty and change, it is more important than ever to pay attention to how young children express their emotions, and to teach them to articulate their thoughts in a healthy way. This beautifully illustrated picture book has been created to inspire conversations about safe spaces, helping practitioners assess a child’s mental health competency and helping the child visualise a place to which they can escape when they feel anxious and upset. When it comes to child and adolescent mental health issues, prevention and early intervention is key. The ‘serve and return’ format of this book provides a virtual space where children can explore thoughts and feelings and teaches them a coping mechanism that can be used in the future to escape negative thoughts. A Place of My Own, will be available to pre-order. TES readers can receive a 20 per cent discount by using the code APR20 until 30 September.