Virtual Show and Tell - Wellbeing Wednesday - Den Building
Date: 29th Apr 2020 @ 9:12am
Wellbeing Wednesday today features Den Building! Question...How is den building good for my child's mental health and wellbeing? The answer is in...
Talking and Listening
Building a den together is a great informal way of engaging a child in conversation - helping to develop their ability to communicate, listen and take turns in conversation, express themselves and put their thoughts into words. (And if siblings are building a den together then they will be learning how to negotiate positively with each other too - teamwork makes the dream work...honest)
It’s not just about the hows and whys of building. It’s a lovely opportunity for a parent or carer to have a good chat with their child about anything that might be on their mind, in a no-pressure environment. This is really important for their emotional development and relationships. And once the den has been built, it’s exciting for them to play inside with someone special. Children will love reinforcing relationships with friends and family through playing, reading and story-telling in their den.
More reading for special grown ups here.... From building a den to walking... how you can boost your child's mental health during quarantine
Getting Started
You don’t need much to get started - normal household items can make brilliant dens! Here are some suggestions:
- Cardboard boxes - Children can get creative stacking and styling them to make a den.
- Garden canes, branches and twigs - Build wigwams with branches or garden canes tied at the top with string.
- Hula hoops - Tie three pieces of string to a hula hoop at equal intervals. Tie the three ends together and hang from a branch or washing line. Drape a cover over to create an interestingly shaped moving den.
- Furniture - Use your furniture (or playhouse or play frame if you have one) - put them together and cover with a blanket to create a den underneath.
- Covers - Blankets, sheets, old towels, camouflage netting, all make ideal covers. Cushions or bean-bags make it extra comfy.
- Fixers - Let children use string, sellotape, ribbons or clothes pegs to hold things in place and secure covers.
- Decorations - Let children personalise their den by decorating it as they wish with paints, crayons, chalk, ribbon, fairy lights, flowers etc.
Please tweet any photos to our Twitter account @clifford_school or email them to nbrown@cliffordallsaints.sheffield.sch.uk
Most of all - have fun and stay safe,
Mrs Brown