What is Emotion Coaching?

Emotion Coaching is a technique that helps children to understand and manage their feelings. When we Emotion Coach, children learn how emotions work and how to react to feelings in healthy ways. Emotion Coaching can help children both experiencing temporary periods of stress as well as managing significant stress as a result of traumatic experiences. Emotion Coaching is central to our nurturing approach at Haltwhistle Academy, helps us to develop children’s resilience and emotional well-being.

At Haltwhistle Academy, our staff team have been trained in emotion coaching strategies.  They have learnt how the human brain functions in times of stress and how we can support children to recognise, understand and manage their feelings.

Many children present with worries or anxieties at some stage of their life.  If you’re experiencing these difficulties, you are not on your own. Below you can find tips and strategies to try at home.  No single approach is a magic cure.   The key to any of these approaches is to integrate them into your daily routine consistently and give them a little time to begin to work.

You can find further information about Emotion Coaching at this link

Having a sleep issue is surprisingly common. At any given time up to 40% of adults and 50% of children (this rises to 80% with a SEND diagnosis) have difficulties with their sleep. Yet in a recent survey, almost 60% of adults felt there was a lack of support for sleep issues. Sleep problems can leave people feeling isolated and lonely so it’s brilliant to hear that The National Sleep helpline has been launched & is run by trained sleep advisors who can talk to young people directly, or their parents.

The helpline is open 5 nights a week, Sunday to Thursday, 7-9pm and the number is freephone 03303 530 541

You can read more here

Haltwhistle Medical Centre is also able to provide help and advice to manage your child’s sleeping problems.

Every child is different and will develop at different rates.  Deciding on the right time to potty train is dependent upon your child’s bowel and bladder control during the day and their interest in using a potty. The ideal age to begin potty training is between 24 - 30 months and many families choose to wait until warmer months during this age band to give potty training a try.  There are a number of signs that your child is starting to develop bladder control:

• they know when they've got a wet or dirty nappy
• they get to know when they're peeing and may tell you they're doing it
• the gap between wetting is at least an hour (if it's less, potty training may fail, and at the very least will be extremely hard work for you)
• they show they need to pee by fidgeting or going somewhere quiet or hidden
• they know when they need to pee and may say so in advance

Wherever possible we ask that parents try to potty train their child before they start nursery.  If your child is not potty trained, please speak to our nursery staff during your welcome visits and we will provide further help and advice.  A useful starting place is the NHS website found here

Haltwhistle Children’s Centre and the health visitor will also be able to offer advice to support potty training.

Princess Poly's Potty Training for Toddlers video can be found here 

Pirate Pete's Potty Training for Toddlers video can be found here 

For many parents and carers, finding time for yourself can be a challenge as you juggle family and relationships with your home and work life. This can be especially true if you are supporting a child or young person with their mental health. The Anna Freud Centre provides advice on the importance of self-care for parents.

https://www.annafreud.org/parents-and-carers/self-care-for-parents-and-carers/

Whilst self-care is important, it is important to recognise that if you are struggling as a parent or carer with your mental health and wellbeing that you know that there is help and support out there for you. Haltwhistle GP are able to offer help and support and, if necessary, refer you to an adult mental health service. Where possible, try to talk to a trusted friend or relative so they are also aware of how you’re feeling and can check in on you. The below organisations also offer crisis support for parents and carers:

AFC Crisis Messenger – text AFC to 85258 for free 24/7 crisis support

Family Lives – charity offering crisis support for parents and carers