This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and the focus is on ‘Body Image – How we think and feel about our bodies!’
Did you know that the average child is watching between 20,000 and 40,000 adverts a year!
Girls as young as 6 are watching what they are eating and cutting down on meals to stay thinner. 3 quarters of 10 & 11 year olds would like to change their appearance. Body image and its impact upon self-esteem has been recognised as an issue which is affecting increasingly younger children.
Research on this area often looks at teenagers, but more evidence is showing that anxieties about appearance are developing at a much earlier age than this. We, as a primary school, have a critical role in helping children to develop a healthy body image through positive intervention.
‘I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well’. Psalm 139:14
Through our school values, we can encourage children to recognise their own strengths and qualities to become resilient members of society.
Look out for some activities for you to do with your child at home, taking time to look at how amazing they truly are!
The following website can help you find ways to support and encourage your child to think positively about themselves and to understand how precious they are – https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Mrs Dean -Roberts
Deputy DSL
