Children's health and wellbeing

Children create a bright, colourful star-shaped suncatcher to celebrate someone special in their life. The star symbolises how their special person lights up their world - whether that’s a dad, mum, grandparent, carer, or another important person. This activity offers a colourful way to celebrate love that’s adaptable, inclusive, and enjoyable.

This week’s activity brings The Very Hungry Caterpillar story to life through a fun and interactive fruit kebab making session. As children create their own fruit kebabs, they’ll reinforce the story’s themes of healthy eating and develop their fine motor skills. It’s a great way for children to connect with the story and enjoy a nutritious snack at the same time!

Ensuring food safety is a key factor in safeguarding children’s health and well-being. Here are some practical, easy to follow tips designed to help you effectively manage food safety and create a secure, hygienic environment for everyone.  

Naptimes require a great deal of attention – not only for the important role they play in healthy development and wellbeing but also to ensure that the ways that sleep is approached in setting are the safest they can be. 

How do I create a physical activity policy for my setting? Why I need it and how to put it together

It is important to remember that every child is unique and, as such, develops in their own unique ways. How can we support children’s personal development?

Professionals working with young children all hold a responsibility to support children to develop in a safe and happy especially when it comes to feelings of security and mental wellness.  

Children’s mental health is central to their wellbeing and is something that paves the way for their future overall health. This resource shines a spotlight on the importance of children’s physical health the role it plays in contributing to their mental health and wellbeing too.

There are a variety of transitions we experience on a daily basis, so many that the list goes on and on… let’s take a closer look at how common, everyday transitions differ, so we can appropriately support children’s experiences throughout their early education and care.  

In this article, we'll explore what infant mental health is, why it’s important and how we, as professionals, can foster a healthy emotional environment for young children in our care.  

A healthy diet is important for every child in their early years and beyond, but children under two years old have particular requirements that should be followed closely to ensure everyone has a healthy, safe and enjoyable experience of food!  

We know that outdoor learning opportunities are an important part of well-rounded child development, providing unique opportunities for physical development and strong connections to our wellbeing.

Self-regulation refers to the ways we recognise and manage our emotions to improve self-control, and minimise impulsive and irrational behaviour. It’s about catching our feelings before they catch us!

In this article, we are going to focus on specific requirements in relation to allergies and intolerances, exploring what they mean and what we can do to support an inclusive and safe environment for everyone. 

Independence at mealtimes has a vast range of benefits, from developing fine motor skills to improving their focus and attention to an individual space.

Self-regulation strategies are promoted throughout a child’s entire educational journey, but it’s important to trace back the roots to where this all begins, to manage and sustain effective emotional management with maximum impact. Just as we wouldn’t expect a child to intuitively know their letters and sounds, it shouldn’t be expected that children have the tools to respond to the ever-changing spectrum of emotions we experience daily.

Healthy eating in the early years lays the foundations for physical, cognitive and emotional wellbeing. It fuels growth, supports brain development and reduces the risk of chronic diseases. This learning workout highlights the vital importance of working in partnership with parents and offers tips and ideas of how to get families involved in promoting health eating practices. 

Establishing valuable bonds with young children is at the heart of early education and care practice. The importance of the adult’s position in the space, as a role model and safe space cannot be undervalued.