Monday Wellbeing

MONDAY – TO CONNECT

Connecting with our loved ones and people in our community is very important, particularly during challenging times like this.

Working and learning from home has been new to most of us. We may not have been able to see our loved ones as often as we’d like but we have been able to spend more time with those in our household. This time together as a household has been very important.

As we draw to the end of a very unusual academic year, celebrate and reconnect with some of your school friends.

You could do this by meeting up at a safe distance in the local park, or by throwing a virtual celebration over FaceTime or Zoom. Plan a dress-up or themed virtual meeting on Zoom and try one of these fun theme ideas: pyjamas, superheroes, school colours, crazy hair, Disney character or favourite animal.

You could even enjoy a virtual sleepover with music and food or a socially distanced movie night if you wish!

Working and learning from home allows us to spend more time with family, enjoying different activities to aid our well-being. Spending time with the people we live with can help us to connect and understand one another.

As well as being interesting, researching your family tree is also a good way to connect with family members. This is a link to a 4^th generation family tree to print off and complete with members of your household. Why not add a photograph next to the name to make it more personal?

If you’re interested in researching your family history more, Findmypast offers a selection of free resources to help you discover your family’s story. Please note: remember to get permission from a responsible adult before creating an account.

Working and learning from home is new to most of us and is something we have to adapt to at this present time, but it also allows us to spend more time with family, enjoying different activities to aid our well-being. Spending time with the people we live with can help us to connect and understand one another.

The Government has relaxed lockdown measures and you can now meet from a safe distance with friends or family. (Please keep at least a 2-metre distance). If possible, meet up with a member of your family or a friend and go for a walk or picnic to the local park. Take a photo to remind you of your first time meeting up with loved ones during the crisis.

If meeting up isn’t possible, set a time to video call friends or family members and complete a virtual quiz. There are many different quiz themes you could include such as general knowledge, fashion and sport.

This week you can enjoy connecting with friends and family members by going on a rollercoaster ride together ………. virtually of course 😊

Use your imagination and go to Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Expedition Everest or if you’re a fan of Harry Potter, try Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.

Schedule a time that’s good for all households ……. log on ……. make yourself comfortable ……. press PLAY!

Recently, the Government have altered lockdown. This means that we are able to go outdoors more often and see a friend from a safe distance. Find a good school friend who lives within walking distance of your home and have a chat from at least 2 metres away.

Alternatively, send a postcard to an elderly neighbour to let them know you are still thinking of them. Many elderly people are still unable to leave their homes and may be feeling lonely.

Now that restrictions have been altered, you may find yourself able to visit a loved one or a friend. Visibly seeing each other will undoubtedly have a positive impact on both you and them. Please note: Remember to follow the government guidelines around safe distancing (2m) and vulnerable people who are more at risk.

Knowing we have trusted people around us can make us feel supported and is good for our mental well-being. When was the last time you thought about the people you have around you? Family, friends and other people you can talk to? Try the following activity to create a visual picture of your own network of support.

Draw an outline of your hand.

On each finger write the name of one person that you could talk to if you needed to. The list should include adults in your life, friends, people that you don’t see so often and also those you do. Your list can also include pets.
On the fingernails, write any online networks you belong to e.g. Facebook friends, WhatsApp, online forums etc.
On the wrist, write any external sources of support like local websites, helplines or somewhere you might turn to in an emergency.

A good way to connect with household members during the school holidays is by playing board games. Whether you choose cycling or walking as your outdoor exercise, the games in this link will help you see how ‘roadwise’ you are and has advice for staying safe near roads. Don’t worry if you don’t have a dice as there are instructions on how to make your own.

Alternatively, compete against a family member and follow the link BBC cyclist quiz to test your knowledge on cycling.

One way to connect with your household is to complete a jigsaw together. You may already have a jigsaw in the house which you’d like to complete, or challenge yourself to design your own jigsaw using a template from the internet such as this.

Alternatively, make time in your day to contact a classmate and ask how they are. You could talk about what you would like to do together once the crisis is over. It is always good to make future plans.

One way to spend time with your family is to create a handprint memento together. You will require colouring materials and paper to get you started and there is an example below.

Alternatively, create a quiz of your choice to complete with your family at home or over FaceTime with a friend.

General Knowledge Quiz Round

Where does the Prime Minister live?
What is the name of the man who raised £29 million for the NHS?
Which Royal Princess celebrated her 5^th birthday recently?
What image has been displayed in windows across the country to show support during this crisis? CLUE: It has lots of different colours.
What religious tradition are Muslims currently observing?

General Knowledge Quiz Round Answers

10 Downing Street
Captain Tom Moore
Princess Charlotte
Rainbow
Ramadan

The 8^th May marks the 75^th anniversary of V.E Day; the day Germany surrendered in WW2. Below you will find a list of games traditionally played in the lead up to V.E. Day. Spend some time with members of your household enjoying some traditional activities from days gone by:

hopskotch
statues
marbles
hide and seek
red rover
card games
board games
dominoes
tiddlywinks
charades
bingo
spin the bottle
scavenger hunt
musical chairs
blind man’s buff

Connect for mental wellbeing

If you’re interested in singing and music, choirmaster Gareth Malone has announced a new initiative to bring together amateur and professional performers around the country as we experience social distancing. The Great British Home Chorus aims to give everyone the opportunity to contribute their voices and instruments to an ambitious digital music project. If this is something you may be interested in why not check out Gareth Malone’s #GreatBritishHomeChorus where you’ll be asked to register for more information. NOTE: Please check with a responsible adult before giving any personal information.

You could also find window posters online or make your own to put on display. This will show NHS staff, the post person, refuge collectors and all key workers how much you appreciate them. It will brighten their day and is guaranteed to make them smile.