Mental health is about how we think, feel and act.  Just like physical health everybody has it and we need to take care of it. Both our own as adults and that of our children. 

Mental health is in a spectrum and can range from good to poor. Good mental health can help your child think positively , feel confident and act calmly.

Unfortunately in this age of exam pressure for children as young as 7 and 10 to be all these things is not easy. They feel the parental stress, peer pressure and teacher comparisons being made often through marks given out openly at school. Under achieving can lead to bullying or feelings of sadness and anger. Giving up is often part of the safety mechanism put in place as is feeling ill and not wanting to go to school.

If your child shows any of these signs it is very important you boost their confidence in other areas. Finding another outlet perhaps in sport or in a non academic area eg. art or drama will help. Some parents opt for home schooling because of the pressure.

Stepping back will help the anxiety disorder settle down. As long as you keep an eye on their coping mechanism all will be well. It maybe you need to find outside help where your child can talk through their worries and become less overwhelmed by what has happened eg. abuse, divorce, death , moving house and area or even a friendship breakdown.

What’s important as a parent is that you learn to spot the signs and to not overload your child just because everyone else is doing it. Find the best route and life for them.

For us at Kids Learn Fast  the mental health and happiness of our pupils is of utmost importance. Our approach helps them achieve without the pressure.