Transition into KS2

What is Mental Health?

The World Health Organisation defines mental health as a state of wellbeing in which every individual achieves their potential, copes with the normal stresses of life, works productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to their community. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel and act.

Like physical health, mental health is something we all have.

It can range across a spectrum from healthy to unwell; it can fluctuate on a daily basis and change over time.

Good mental health helps children:

• learn and explore the world
• feel, express and manage a range of positive and negative emotions
• form and maintain good relationships with others
• cope with, and manage change and uncertainty
• develop and thrive.

Building strong mental health early in life can help children build their self-esteem, learn to settle themselves and engage positively with their education.

This, in turn, can lead to improved academic attainment, enhanced future employment opportunities and positive life choices.

What will be different for your child in KS2?

• No afternoon playtime.
• Increased independence.
• Increased responsibility for own things.
• No milk and fruit but they can buy toast and fruit at playtime.

How can you support your child’s mental health and wellbeing?

• Allow time and the freedom to play, indoors and outdoors.
• Being in good physical health, eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise.
• Being part of a family that gets along well most of the time.
• Taking part in activities with other children.
• Feeling loved, trusted, understood, valued and safe.
• Make school staff aware of any family issues that may affect your child; this helps us to support your child in school.
•  

If there is only one thing you can do…spend 10 minutes of each day to ask your child how their day was and try to give them 100% attention. This will help them feel valued and cared for.