Helping Your Child (and yourself) Handle Change
Change can be tough, especially when it involves something as big as starting or switching schools. For children, this kind of change can feel overwhelming, leading to stress that shows up in all sorts of ways—like feeling anxious, getting headaches, or having trouble sleeping. And let’s be honest, it’s not just the kids who feel it; parents and teachers can get pretty stressed out too!
Stress from change doesn’t just mess with your mood
Stress can also take a toll on your health. When stress builds up, it can affect everything from your immune system to your ability to focus, making it harder to feel happy and calm.
But here’s the good news: there’s a simple trick to help manage stress during these times of change. Professors Paul Gilbert and Frances Maratos from the University of Derby suggest using a special visualisation to stay calm. It’s a technique that’s super easy to do and works for both children and adults. The idea is to create a mental “nice place” where you or your child can go whenever things start to feel too overwhelming. You combine this with deep breathing and calming phrases to help your body and mind slow down.
Want to see how it’s done? There’s a great animation on YouTube that walks you through the steps. It’s perfect for helping your child (or yourself!) stay calm when everything around you is changing.
And remember, keeping children and teachers happy and healthy at school is what the Everyday Magic Positive Education programme is all about. It’s even approved by the British Psychological Society (BPS). If you’re curious to learn more about how this programme can support your school, you can find out more here.
