A wellbeing coach is running virtual mental health classes for youngsters to overcome the stress of isolation.
Jennifer Taylor, from Laurencekirk, has delivered sessions to more to thousands of schoolchildren in the Mearns and Aberdeenshire.
Her stepdaughter Brooke, aged 9, helps deliver the variety of lessons on Zoom, ranging from Relax Kids, Lego Mindfullness, yoga and meditation.
Jennifer said: “I felt I had to do something to help children take care of their emotional wellbeing while schools are off.
“Traditional Relax Kids goes from high energy to low energy so we keep active and do some yoga and meditation.
“Lego Club allows children to use play to express emotions like anger or worry and I teach calming techniques to help them cope.
“On my last session, kids used their Lego to show me how they were feeling. It was so sad because they made little faces with it and most of them said they felt sad or worried.
“When this happens I use a technique called Lego massage, where they put their hands in the Lego pot and shake to get their frustrations out.
“It’s trying to appeal to different children and their needs – some kids don’t like doing yoga, so using something like Lego that is fun can help them express.”
Jennifer knows only too well how powerful Relax Kids can be, as 9-year-old Brooke used mindfulness to combat her own anxiety and anger and has now become a mini-coach.
Jennifer added: “Brooke lives and breathes Relax Kids and it has become such a passion for her to help.
“She is proof that children can use these techniques to help them through rough times.”
Parents must complete a registration form, available from Relax Kids with Jennifer Facebook page, in order to access the Zoom conference facility.
Zoom can be accessed on a computer, tablet or smartphone.
Sessions are free to all children in the UK but a donation service of £2.50 is available for parents who are able to pay.
All proceeds will be donated to Cash for Kids to help local families affected by coronavirus.
