 Welcome to the spring physical development bulletin. With the longer days and nodding daffodils we are going to focus on wellbeing. Here are some top tips to help support wellbeing...
- Build positive routines - encourage healthy eating and exercise and enough sleep
- Encourage children's interests - being active and creative, learning something new and being part of a group help children connect and boosts their wellbeing
- Show interest in what is important to them/listen and talk to them - this will help you be alert to any changes
- Take what they say seriously as this helps them to feel valued
- Support them through difficulties, helping them to understand what they are feeling and why.
More information about ways to support children and useful links are available on the NHS website.
According to the World Health Organization, physical activity:
- has significant health benefits for hearts, bodies and minds
- reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety
- enhances thinking, learning and judgement skills
- ensures healthy growth and development in young people
- improves overall wellbeing.
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Egg rolling: hard boil and decorate some eggs. Take one each then have a race to see who can roll it the furthest/fastest
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Easter egg hunt: hide lots of eggs or Easter shapes in your outdoor area and encourage the children to find as many as they can
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Musical bunnies: encourage the children to bunny hop around before freezing (staying still) when the music stops
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When I went down to the farm I saw…: tell the children about a range of different animals you saw on a farm and encourage them to move and sound like the different types of animals
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Easter obstacle course/egg and spoon race: set up an obstacle course or egg and spoon race and encourage children to go round it as Easter bunnies/spring chicks.
Calling all nature detectives! Now that the weather is getting a bit better, it's a great time to spend more time outdoors.
The Woodland trust have some amazing free resources for getting active outside on their website including a super spring scavenger hunt which should tempt even the most reluctant children outside.
 With all the ongoing pressures around us, it’s never been more important to look after our own physical and mental health as well as that of our children's parents/carers and staff.
Check out the five steps to physical and mental wellness for adults. There are lots of free resources and local support available to help you, so please share with friends and family to help us look after each other.
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Look after yourself: make sure you are getting enough sleep, drinking enough, are up to date with vaccinations and health appointments and are following healthy eating principles
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Let's get physical: Keeping physically active is important for our physical and mental wellbeing. It decreases the risk of getting heart disease, some types of cancer, depression, anxiety, dementia, and helps people to sleep and manage stress better and maintain a healthy weight. Many of us lead busy lives, but just setting aside a small amount of time each week can make a difference
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Try something new: try a new activity, hobby or just do things in a different order for variety. It can help to reduce stress, combat depression and keep you mentally stimulated
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Take time out for and care for yourself: set some time aside each week to do something you enjoy. List everything that makes you happy and fere to it when you need to improve your mood and wellbeing, journal or write down any worries/anxious thoughts and feelings and consider taking a break from social media
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Reach out for support if needed: help is available for a range of conditions including anxiety and difficulty in sleeping - see your GP or try Talking Change for help if needed.
 Healthy Easter boiled eggs or healthy spring minibeasts
As a healthy alternative to chocolate Easter eggs why not try this fun healthy alternative from BBC good food - all you need is 1½ hard-boiled eggs for the rabbit or 1 egg for the chicks, a few currants for eyes and some small carrots/herbs for garnishing.
Or why not try healthy minibeasts? These can be made from a variety of fruit, vegetables and herbs including cherry tomatoes, celery, lettuce, basil, thinly sliced cucumber rings, apple, grapes, blueberries and strawberries with a little soft cheese or hummus to fasten things together, using currants for eyes. Encourage children to become involved and let their/your Imagination run wild!
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