It’s Children’s Mental Health Week this week and the theme is ‘Express Yourself’! The ability to express yourself in a healthy way is of huge importance. For children especially, playing, singing or listening to music can be the perfect tool through which to channel their emotions.
Music can be used a gateway for bringing calm to the home, (a place where it is easy to get stressed right now!) Here are some ways you can use music to boost the emotional resilience of your children.
- Turn off the 24 hour news station for a while, it’s doesn’t serve you or your kids wellbeing and often just adds to our levels of anxiety. Try listening instead to a piece of music you enjoy instead.
- If you have a baby, pick them up and sit together on the sofa or lie on the bed and absorb some gentle songs. Simple rhythms, relaxing tunes, even lullabies. This isn’t to get them to sleep, but simply to pause and enjoy this time with your baby. With the manic pace of the day, it’s easy to fly through and never stop to take a moment just to be. You will feel better for it. Notice your breathing slowing down and your shoulders drop. Do not feel guilty for stopping.
- If you want to set the mood for the day with your young children, start with a quick version of the Stave House song ‘There’s Something Very Special’ (findversions of this on Facebook and IGTV.) This is a great boost of self-esteem to start the day. Or if you prefer, you can use any favourites like Heads, Shoulder’s Knees and Toes’ to get the blood pumping.
- For older children, get them to identify a song that lifts them, a power track perhaps and play this before anyone settles down to work. While they are working, offer them gentle music in the background (this helps some children but may distract others) Classic FM or Chill FM can be great resources for this. As can Spotify ‘relaxing’ playlists.
- If you find yourself amusing little ones with craft activities, why not make things they can shake or rattle. Something as simple as dried rice in an old kitchen roll tube can entertain and help focus a busy little mind.
- Remember that you can only take care of your kids wellbeing if you take care of your own. As parents you need to be in a good head space in order to cope with all the challenges being thrown your way. Music can help you simply take a moment to de-stress. Find your coping songs, whether they make you want to lie down and close your eyes or bounce off the ceiling. Whichever it is, we all deserve a little music in our lives and you’ll feel all the better for it!