This week is Children’s Mental Health Week, which is focussed on the theme of ‘My Voice Matters’. The aim of ‘My Voice Matters’ is to highlight the importance of young people and children to use their voices to express what matters to them.
Children’s mental health activities to help express feelings
By using connection activities such as creating a ‘Worry Pet ‘, caregivers, educators and parents can connect with young people by working together to make a pocket sized companion to help manage big feelings.
To create a ‘Worry Pet’ you will need:
- 2 tablespoons of flour
- 2 tablespoons of water
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- Beads
- Paint
To make your ‘Worry Pet’, follow these 5 simple steps:
Step 1: Start by mixing the flour, water and salt in a bowl to create the dough. Remember to repeat these steps for different colours if you like.
Step 2: Split the dough into equal pieces and make them into shapes for your Worry Pets’ ears, arms and legs.
Step 3: Next, place your Worry Pet on a baking tray lined with parchment paper for the oven.
Step 4: With the help of a grown-up, place your figures into the oven on a low temperature for 3-5 hours.
Step 5: Decorate your Worry Pet however you would like using your paint. You can use glue to add beads and googly eyes to bring your Worry Pets to life! For extra sensory input, you can glue soft material (e.g. pom poms) on its head for its hair.
Last, but not least, name your Worry Pet.
Learn more about the importance of connection on our blog page.
