Place2Be is a children’s mental health charity with over 25 years’ experience supporting pupils, families and staff in UK schools. Place2Be launched the first ever Children’s Mental Health Week in 2015 to shine a spotlight on the importance of children and young people’s mental health. Now in its seventh year, they hope to encourage more people than ever to get involved and spread the word. This year’s theme is ‘Express Yourself’.
Expressing yourself is about finding ways to share feelings, thoughts, or ideas, through creativity. This could be through art, music, writing and poetry, dance and drama, photography and film, and doing activities that make you feel good.
It’s important to remember that being able to express yourself is not about being the best at something or putting on a performance for others. It is about finding a way to show who you are, and how you see the world, that can help you feel good about yourself.
Below are some ideas on how you can get your children thinking about how they express themselves at home:
What can you do at home to encourage children to express themselves?
Does your child have any existing interests or passions you could build upon? Do they love Dancing? Baking? Fashion? Try to encourage your child by noticing their unique interests, something they love doing in their spare time could be turned into an activity for a lockdown evening or weekend.
Trying new things can also be a great way to find a creative outlet. There are lots of online tutorials and video demos that you and your child can be inspired by and could try out together. Or perhaps ask someone you know to share their creative hobbies and give them a go.
Some children may not think of themselves as being creative. Try to focus on the importance of the process and the way it can make them feel, rather than the result. Try not to judge their efforts and remember to give encouragement for trying rather than for doing something well.
Listening carefully can help children to feel more comfortable and confident when expressing themselves. Try to minimise distraction and give your child full attention when you’re spending time together, being aware of your own body language and eye contact. You might want to try summarising what they’ve shared and acknowledging their feelings.
Children are expressing themselves all the time, but not necessarily with words. ‘Listen’ to everything they are trying to tell you with their behaviour, or with their play and creativity, or even with their silence. It is all self-expression.
Remember – you don’t need a lot of fancy equipment to get creative at home. Recyclable materials that you no longer have a use for can provide amazing inspiration, and of course there is no limit to what you and your children’s imagination can come up with!
Looking for more ways to supports your child's mental health? Here are the best children's books about kindness:
Best children's books about kindness
1 of 11KINDESS MAKES US STRONG
Written & illustrated by Sophie Beer | Published by Caterpillar BooksKindness is doing what you can for others - and in this chunky board book ideal for little hands - Sophie Beer introduces us to a bunch of kids doing just that, building friendships as they go.
2 of 11ALL KINDS OF KINDNESS
Written by Judy Carey Nevin | Illustrated by Susie Hammer | Published by Simon & Schuster What does kindness mean to you? Is it planting a seed? Or pushing a swing? Or sending a card? This little book about all the different ways to be kind packs a big punch and is perfect for toddlers.
3 of 11EVERYBODY’S WELCOME
Written by Patricia Hegarty | Illustrated by Greg Abbott | Published by Little Tiger BooksOne day a little mouse dreams of building a great big house. With the help of a whole host of friends from the forest, that dream comes true. Here, everyone is welcome, no matter who they are or where they come from.
4 of 11KINDNESS GROWS
Written & illustrated by Britta Tekentrup | Published by Caterpillar BooksThis beautifully-illustrated keepsake book with cut-out details will inspire the little ones in your life to plant seeds of kindness whenever they can.
5 of 11BE KIND
Written by Pat Zietlow Miller | Illustrated by Jen Hill | Published by Pan MacmillanA New York Times bestseller, this picture book asks an essential question: what does it mean to be kind? When Tanisha spills her drink over her new dress, her classmate thinks hard about how to make her feel better.
6 of 11HOW TO BE A LION
Written & illustrated by Ed Vere | Published by Doubleday Books for Young ReadersWhen Leonard the lion befriends Marianne the duck, the other lions aren't happy at all. A celebration of being different and choosing kindness over everything else, this stunning modern classic confirms that we don't always have to roar to heard.
7 of 11TWO SIDES
Written by Polly Ho-Yen | Illustrated by Binny Talib | Published by StripesLuna and Lenka are best friends despite the fact that they are total opposites. But one day they have an argument and things get tough. Perfect for younger readers as they transition from picture books, this story is a great teaching tool on the importance of empathy and the art of understanding others.
8 of 11THE GOOD GUYS: 50 HEROES WHO CHANGED THE WORLD WITH KINDNESS
Written by Rob Kemp and Paul Blow | Published by Hodder & StaughtonA timely reminder that heroes should be celebrated for their kindness as well their strength, their generosity as well as their success – this essential guide book on the transformative power of empathy is perfect for children 10+ who want to change the world.
9 of 11THE BOY AT THE BACK OF THE CLASS
Written by Onjali Q Raúf | Published by Orion Children's BooksWarm and funny, this story for older children offers an important perspective on the refugee crisis and champions friendship, kindness, curiosity and bravery. The message here is crystal clear: in a world that doesn't always make sense, you can still be a good person.
10 of 11OLD ENOUGH TO SAVE THE PLANET
Written by Loll Kirby | Illustrated by Adelina Lirius | Published by Abrams & Chronicle Books LtdWhat about being kind to our planet? Packed with examples of young people doing important work to beat climate change, this inspirational non-fiction book explains that the future of our planet starts with the change you can make and provoke, whatever your age.
11 of 11THE HAFU CHILD
Written by Ms Maria 慧 Claridge | Illustrated by Helen Yin | Independently PublishedThis is a children's story about being mixed race growing up. The story features an English-Japanese child called Maria navigating her way through school and making friends along the way. Author's Note: Maria hopes this book will help children feel not quite so lonely if they're feeling a bit different.