THE UNFOLDING CONVERSATION ACTIVITY (see background information on next page for rationale)

Transcription

1 Caring, Connected Relationships are a BIG DEAL to young people AND, it impacts their mental health. THE UNFOLDING CONVERSATION ACTIVITY (see background information on next page for rationale) Goal: Students create The Unfolding Conversation and are able to use it as a tool to identify how adults in their lives can show that they care. Objectives: Students identify, list and draw how adults in their lives show that they care on The Unfolding Conversation. Engagement of both children and caring adults, in a conversation, guided by children, about how adults can show they care. Increased awareness about conversations that impact child and youth mental health. Enhanced child and youth mental health. Materials Print one of The Unfolding Conversation template for each student (pg 3) Scissors (younger children will need guidance for cutting) Crayons or coloring pencils The Unfolding Conversation Resource Sheet for parents (pg 4) Activity Say People in our lives show that they care in different ways. Brainstorm with the class; who are some people in their life that care about them and are important to them Ask What does this person/ people do to show that they care about you? How does it make you feel when they show they care? Ask students to use words or drawings to answer the question I know you care about me when on their template Once completed have the children colour and cut out The Unfolding Conversation Fold The Unfolding Conversation according to the instructions provided on template Conclusion and Follow Up Say People show that they care in different ways. Remind your students to tell the people in their life how they know that they care using The Unfolding Conversation Go over how to play with The Unfolding Conversation using instructions on template Send The Unfolding Conversation and resource sheet, home with students to play with the caring adults in their life Take a picture and share your class The Unfolding Conversation on social media! See what other children have said across the country!

2 Caring, Connected Relationships are a BIG DEAL to young people AND, it impacts their mental health. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Caring, Connected Relationships are a BIG DEAL to young people AND, it impacts their mental health. Each year, the Institute of Families (Doing Business as the F.O.R.C.E in BC), dedicates its efforts on May 7th, Child and Youth Mental Health day, to help foster well-being and caring, connected, relationships between young people and caring adults. This year marks the Ten Year Anniversary of that commitment! In the largest survey of BC s young people aged in 2013, results showed who young people are turning to talk to about their mental health. The highest rank was 73% who turn to their friends, and the second highest was was 69% who turn to their families. At a youth mental health event in 2016, we asked high students How do you want adults to talk to you about your mental health? What do you want them to SAY and DON T SAY? Over 400 students from grades 8-12 wrote down how they would like to be spoken to, and not spoken to when talking about their mental health. Using their words, we have created a resource we are calling the The Unfolding Conversation. Talking to young people about their mental health matters but it can be hard for adults to know what to say. The Unfolding Conversation is intended to help build Caring, Connected Relationships between young people and caring adults.

3 FAMILYSMART THE UNFOLDING CONVERSATION (Children s Version) PARENT EXPLANATION 2016 marks the 10 th Anniversary of National Child and Youth Mental Health Day in Canada. The Institute of Families for Child & Youth Mental Health has developed a number of resources and ways to celebrate the importance of caring, connected relationships in the lives of children and youth, and its impact on their mental health. Each year, the Institute of Families for Child & Youth Mental Health (Doing Business as the F.O.R.C.E. in BC), dedicates its efforts on May 7th; Child and Youth Mental Health day, to help foster well-being and caring, connected, relationships between young people and caring adults. This year marks the Ten Year Anniversary of that commitment! In BC s largest survey of young people aged in 2013 by the McCreary Centre Society, results showed who young people are turning to talk to about their mental health. The highest ranked was 73% who turn to their friends, and the second highest was 69% who turn to their families. Caring, Connected Relationships are a BIG DEAL to young people AND, it impacts their mental health. As part of Child & Youth Mental Health Day, students were asked to create the The Unfolding Conversation (children s version), and share, through pictures or words, their response to the question I know you care about me when. It is intended to be interactive and promote conversation between children and adults about mental wellbeing. We hope you ll invite your child to share what they created and do the activity with you...cont d on Page 2

4 The Unfolding Conversation is a fun and easy activity. Slide your thumbs and forefingers under the four flaps. Simply repeat the phrase I care about you, on the top of "The Unfolding Conversation pinching and opening your fingers once for each word. Choose a number from the inside, and pinch and fold the The Unfolding Conversation that many times to reveal a final set of numbers to select from. Choose a number once more and unfold the flap to discover one of the thoughts shared by your child. We hope that you enjoy the activity and perhaps share your Unfolding Conversation

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