Five tips for empowering calm children during the Spring school holidays

Photo by Annie Spratt

We all know how important it is for our kids to take a break from school work, and to have some time to relax and recharge during the holidays. This time out provides a great opportunity for both a physical and mental reset. In case you’re wondering what you can do to support a wellbeing injection for the whole family over the next couple of weeks (that involves more than some good telly and lots of chocolate), we’ve got you covered with Happy Marlo’s Spring Holiday Re-Charge Checklist!

1. Connecting with nature

The weather in theory is meant to improving (she writes whilst overseeing wind and torrential rain from the window), and traditionally in the UK the sun does tend to like to come out for us over the Easter break, but regardless of what is happening with the forecast, Spring is the perfect opportunity for spending more time outside in nature. There’s no bad weather, only bad clothes I hear my own mother cry!

Being out in nature (and by this, I mean anywhere with even a hint of green — the local park will do it) is a great way to help us all feel more grounded and connected to our environment. Whether going for a stroll, family run, or spending time relaxing in gardens — we all know that the benefits are many.

Studies show that spending time in nature can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and increase feelings of peace and calm. So how about setting a challenge to spend at least some time outside each day? Going on a nature walk is a great way to explore, observe, and encourage conversation about what you can all see, hear, and smell.

2. Permission to rest and relax

Whether you’re staying at home or going away over the break, sometimes when we’re ‘on holiday’ it can feel like we need to be doing something different each day. Here is your permission to do nothing, if you need it. Rest and relaxation are just as important for our wellbeing as activities, and really important for our children to learn too. Whether it’s reading, listening to music or a podcast (we hear amazing reviews from kids about YotoPlay), or even having a cheeky nap. Other mindful activities include yoga (are you a Cosmic Kids fan?), and of course we’re going to suggest getting involved with some Happy Marlo Moments — breathe, tap, listen here.

3. Prioritising healthy habits

For many this can be easier said than done (me!), and for others it’s a breeze. Over Easter it can be easy to indulge in lots of treats and skip exercise — how many chocolate eggs does one little girl need?? — but of course healthy habits are just as important during our time off as when we’re busy. Yummy nutritious food, good sleep, and getting some movement in are all good ideas. And perhaps if your children are old enough and responsible, they can help out in the kitchen too!

4. Positive thinking

Mindset is everything, and our thoughts can have a big impact on our mental and emotional wellbeing. By encouraging our children to start paying attention to their thoughts and the way they talk to themselves, we can empower them to identify any negative self-talk that might come up and replace it with positive affirmations instead.

During difficult times it can be easy to forget the positives around us, but there is always something we can find to feel gratitude for. Some families are really good at incorporating gratitude practice into their every day, either by sharing at dinner time, or inviting children to think of something they are grateful for at bedtime. I start each day by writing out three things I am grateful for, and it really helps me to have a focus on what is good in my life, even on the darker days.

5. Get crafty

An excellent way to give our brains a break is by doing something we enjoy with our hands and getting lost in that activity. Children are naturally very good at being ‘in flow’ whenever they are given the time and opportunity to become engrossed in something they love. toucanBox deliver brilliant craft activity kits for children aged 3–8 years, and Craft Courses have a directory of in-person crafting events for all the family. For inexpensive supplies to have at home, Baker Ross have all manner of products for decorating, creating, sticking and beading.

So there’s a starter of five — what else would you add to the list? There are many things we can do to support family wellbeing, and by keeping these tips close to mind you can help your children have a happy and healthy break, ready to face the new school term with renewed energy and focus.