It’s been a very, VERY rainy start to the year here in the UK. This, alongside dark mornings and evenings, we can all start to feel a bit down-trodden, and worries start to creep in. 

If your little ones are starting to feel a bit worried about things, finding ways to help them express their feelings and build emotional resilience can create positive mental health habits for the long-term. Some children find expressing feelings easier than others, so if your kids find it hard, we’ve got a few exercises you might like to try:

1.  Create a mindfulness moment: Feelings come and go. Kids can sometimes get swept up in these feelings, and creating a moment to stop and observe those feelings can help de-escalate high-tension, stressful or worrying situations. There are lots of helpful videos that can help you create mindful moments with your little ones, like this one. In this example, children are asked to imagine their minds like a big pond, with fish feelings. Just taking 5 mins to complete one of these in class or at home can help regulate emotions and build resilience. 
2. Using breathing techniques: Work through tough feelings with a breathing technique. We personally love the finger tracing technique, which Bongo uses to deal with BIG ANGRY FEELINGS. Read and practice with your kid in our free downloadable comic ‘Bongo Blows his top’.

3. Create a worry box: A worry box gives kids a chance to articulate and write down feelings and gives their brains a break from holding onto them. There are many worry teddies you can buy, but a home-made version works just the same and provides a great crafty activity! Decorate a tissue box with glittery paper, eyes and teeth to create a worry-eating monster, or follow along with our downloadable activity for more support.

Having a place to put written worries also provides a good opportunity for you to check out any worries once a week to see if there’s anything you need to gently follow up with, or as a teacher, use as a jumping-off point for any Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons. 

Do you have any techniques or suggestions for helping kids with their worries? Or have any of our free comics about feelings helped a child you know? If you do, let us know!

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