Parents and carers can use play to help their children learn to beat frustration and complete difficult tasks.

By noticing and commenting when your child is concentrating, focusing or dealing with something calmly you are supporting them to recognise what they are doing well. This can help children to learn that it can be normal to find somethings difficult to accomplish.

Persistence coaching video

In this clip see how mum is encouraging her 18 month old to keep trying with the activity. What effect does it have?

Here is a video which shows how a school are using these ideas to help children persist with trying activities.

Children have a range of emotions just as we have as adults; although it can harder for children to manage or understand those emotions. When we as adults feel anger for example we can turn and say to people: "I'm feeling angry I need some space, I'm going for a walk".

Children may not have the skills to do that and so resort to behaviours such as shouting, throwing or even having a tantrum. Developmentally this is normal and we want to be able to give our children the skills to manage and understand their emotions so that they will be able to manage their emotions better.

It’s ok that your child feels emotions such as anger or upset – we all do – what is not ok is the negative response or actions we can sometimes experience with these emotions.

The following BBC article discusses how talking to your child is something that happens every day, but there are some simple ways of communicating which can encourage children to express their feelings, listen and co-operate.

The way we think affects the way we feel and then in turn affects how we behave. It’s really natural during stressful times to think about things negatively.

When we have the ability to change the way we think, we can learn how to have control of our feelings and actions.

It can help to practice being positive; what 3 things have happened today to make you smile or feel grateful?

Watch the following video which explains in more detail the thoughts, feelings, behaviour cycle.

If you can't hear the video or don't have sound on your device you can turn on the captions option in YouTube.

Playing is so important for children’s physical, emotional and academic development as it helps them understand their world and their place within it. This then supports their self-confidence.

Child led play supports your child to have ideas and be in control of their exploration and learning. This allows them to experience independence and may allow them to extend new ideas.

You still play an important role in child led play however by providing a safe environment for your child to explore and test new ideas.
What play have you noticed your child leading in?

Child led play video

In the clip below see how mum lets her 4 year old lead the play. What effect does that have?

If you can't hear the video or don't have sound on your device you can turn on the captions option in YouTube.

Here are some great activity ideas for 0 to 12 month old babies.

Please check the position statement on the Right to Play (Adobe PDF format).

Parents have been telling us they are finding it difficult to teach their children. This can be extremely frustrating at times.

Play time can be a great opportunity to support your child’s learning by using different types of language to support their play meaning that your children are learning new things via their play time with you. An example might be to describe the different colours shapes and sizes of toys.

What kind of things could you comment on to help your children learn through play?

Academic coaching video

In the clip below see how mum is using different language to describe things to her 4 year old. Think about the effect that could have:

This finger painting video is a lovely clip from BBC tiny happy people website that shows parents using a finger painting activity as an opportunity to teach their children by commenting on things such as colour, objects etc and discussing how it feels or looks. Notice how calm they are.

Year 11s have almost completed this stage of their education, and whist there is still some uncertainty, there are new and exciting times ahead. Young people are likely to have an offer of further education from a local college or sixth form or they may be seeking an apprenticeship or other work based training programme.

Whichever pathway is next, they are also likely to be seeking a part time job to earn some additional cash. To help your young person, below is a list of key documents and information they will need in order to move into further education, apprenticeships or a part time job.

Life after Year 11

EPEC parenting courses are led by local parent facilitators who have completed accredited EPEC training and receive ongoing training, supervision and support from parenting specialists based in a local EPEC Hub.

The Being a Parent course is for parents of children aged 2 to 11 where parents learn a range of positive parenting skills, better understand children’s feelings, value effective parent-child communication and build better, more resilient family relationships.

A series of connected evidence based programmes which aim to prevent child behaviour problems and support children’s social, emotional and academic learning. Courses include:

• Baby Incredible Years (0-6 months)
• Toddler (1-3 years)
• Basic (3-7 years)
• School Age (7-12 years)

A group programme for parents of children aged 12 to 16 years with behavioural difficulties and/or an interest in learning more about positive parenting skills that can be adapted to a wide range of parenting situations.

Our colleagues in Salford CAMHS run targeted courses and groups to support these parents including Triple P groups and Post Diagnostic Autism Groups.