Physical and mental health is key to your child’s well-being. Small changes can make a big difference in helping your child stay healthy and make positive choices in life.

• Talk to your child about how they are feeling and how you are feeling
• Listen and accept your child’s concerns – this is not the same as giving into their demands.
• By using the named feelings you will be giving your child the words to describe their feelings like “happy” or “sad”, “disappointed”, “frustrated”, “excited” or “surprised”.
• Talk about feelings and what might cause them: You are feeling happy – is it because we are going to the park? Are you sad because you lost your toy?
• Talk about positive experiences of people in general. For instance Granny is coming for tea we will be really happy to see her or your brother cut his knee and that hurts.
• Reassure and comfort with a cuddle, showing the love that you have for your child.

If you have any concerns or would like further information on your child expressing their emotions or physical well-being you can contact staff at SureStart or your Health Visitor or G.P.