Children can often be guarded about their emotions or any difficulties they’re experiencing This reticence can extend to chats with their parents. A study by the Office for National Statistics found that 64% of children reported regularly talking to their mum about “things that matter”, and even fewer (45%) held conversations of the same kind with their dad.
It’s incredibly important, of course, for young people to have someone to confide in when they’re confused, upset or unsure of themselves – and to know that they can do so without fear of being judged or punished. This week, our #WakeUpWednesday guide explores how to encourage open and honest discussions with children, empowering them to open up if they need help.
Dreaming of a decent night’s sleep? Many of us are – and it’s a particularly pervasive problem for young people. Concerningly, research has suggested that around 70% of teens get less than the recommended 8–10 hours’ sleep per night. The effects of poor-quality sleep on a developing mind, of course, can be harmful over a prolonged period.
Although a significant portion of under-18s struggle for shut eye, there is still plenty we can do to support them in getting the beneficial rest they need during those formative years. Compiled in conjunction with our friends at award-winning mental health charity Minds Ahead, this week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide has tips on helping children to develop healthy sleeping habits.
Young Carers Action Day: 13th March 2024
Young Carers Action Day is an annual event organised by Carers Trust to raise awareness of the pressures placed on so many young people. This year’s theme is; ‘Fair Futures For Young Carers’, highlighting how young and young adult carers are significantly less likely to undertake higher education or enter employment than their peers without a caring responsibility.
A day in the life of a young carer – BBC News – YouTube
£10 million in sales within 10 days and 50,000 simultaneous players, The fighting game Tekken 8 has enjoyed an astounding degree of success since its release in late January. Its impressive presentation and entertaining roster of characters has struck a chord, both with long-term fans and newcomers to the Tekken series – many of whom are children and young people.
Tekken’s relative lack of gore distinguishes it from similar titles such as Mortal Kombat, making it seemingly more suitable for under-18s. Its inherent focus on violence, however, plus a highly competitive online play mode against (often older) strangers and some potentially problematic strands of the plot combine to earn it a PEGI 16 age rating. Our #WakeUpWednesday guide has the full story.
In April we’re also running webinars specifically to help parents and carers support children sitting exams. Please let parents know about this free session, especially if they are worried about their child’s anxiety:
Please click on these links to attend.
