May is National Mental Awareness Month.
As May is quickly approaching I really wanted to supply some great advice and activities to help your children feel open to talk about their feelings and even aggressions.
- Normalize Feelings – Let kids know that it’s okay to feel sad, anxious, or frustrated. Emphasize that everyone experiences different emotions and that expressing feelings is a healthy and normal part of life.
- Encourage Open Communication – Create a safe space where kids feel comfortable sharing their feelings without fear of judgment. Listen attentively, validate their emotions, and reassure them that you’re there to support them.
- Teach Healthy Coping Strategies – Help kids develop healthy ways to cope with stress and emotions. Breathing exercises, journaling, physical activity, and creative outlets like drawing or music can all be great tools.
- Lead by Example – Model positive mental health habits by managing stress in a healthy way, practicing self-care, and being open about your own emotions. Kids often learn by observing the adults around them.
10 Mental Health Awareness Month Activities for Kids
Now, let’s get into some fun and meaningful mental health awareness month activities for kids that can help them understand and nurture their mental well-being.
- Feelings Chart Activity – Create a daily feelings chart where kids can express how they’re feeling using words or emojis. This helps them recognize emotions and talk about what might be affecting their mood.
- Mindfulness Coloring – Provide kids with coloring sheets or a mindfulness coloring book featuring positive affirmations or calming images. Coloring can be a therapeutic activity that encourages relaxation and focus.
- Gratitude Journal – Encourage kids to write or draw three things they are grateful for each day in a gratitude journal. Practicing gratitude can help shift focus to positive experiences and improve overall well-being.
- Breathing Exercises – Teach simple breathing techniques like “balloon breathing” (inhale deeply as if inflating a balloon, then exhale slowly). This can help children calm down when feeling anxious or overwhelmed.
- Yoga and Movement Activities – Gentle stretching or simple yoga poses can help kids release stress and tension while promoting physical and mental relaxation.
- Emotion-Themed Storytime – Read books about emotions and mental health, such as The Color Monster by Anna Llenas. Discuss the feelings of the characters and relate them to real-life experiences.
- Acts of Kindness Challenge – Encourage kids to perform small acts of kindness, such as writing a note to a friend, helping a sibling, or giving a compliment. Helping others can boost mood and create a sense of connection.
- Music and Dance Therapy – Let kids express their emotions through music and movement. Dancing, singing, or playing an instrument can be a great way to relieve stress and boost happiness.
- Create a Coping Skills Toolbox – Help kids put together a small box filled with items that comfort them, such as stress balls, fidget toys, scented lotions, or a small notebook for doodling.
- Outdoor Nature Walks – Spending time in nature has been shown to improve mental health. Take a mindful walk outside, encouraging kids to notice the sights, sounds, and smells around them.
