Healthy Habits for Autumn

National Self-Care Week runs from the 18th-24th November 2024 this Autumn. We’ve put together some activities that parents and little ones can do together to support a happy and healthy mind.

Mindfulness is about being in the present moment, our minds can be often in the future or in the past but rarely in the present. 

Benefits of mindfulness:  

• Increased focus and attention  

• Supports academic performance and wellbeing 

• Reduces stress levels, anxiety and supports the child to manage strong emotions 

Adult Mindfulness Activity

Family Mindfulness Activities

Nature Walks

When you are out on a walk, encourage your children and family to look for…

5 things I can see

eg. “I can see a big cloud”

4 things I can touch

3 things I can hear

2 things I can smell

1 thing I can taste

 

Bringing nature inside: Nature Painting

On your next visit to the park ask your little one to collect a handful of colourful leaves and press them inside a thick book (or a flower press if you have one). You can also use dry flower petals; we found rose petals look really nice and maintain the original colour for a long time. After a few days, your leaves should be dried and ready to use in our painting activity.

At NYLO we love to encourage messy play around food to increase familiarity with new foods outside of mealtimes, but it can be difficult for some children to feel comfortable getting messy. Painting can be a very tactile experience for children and can help build their confidence in getting messy – this activity is great to pair with an Autumnal adventure to your local green space!

What you will need:

Dried leaves, sticks

Paints (watercolour, poster paint or acrylic are all fine)

brushes

water

paper and glue

How to do it:

Let your little one pick the colour and create a little drawing or pattern.

Remember to send us a photo with your creations, for a chance to be included in our next newsletter.

Indoor Mindfulness

Ask your little one to sit on their back with the hands on their bellies and breathe together with them. Ask them to notice how their hand are moving up and down while breathing.  

Say with them:

“I breathe in, I breathe out, I am calm, I am peaceful. “

Top tip! This can be used to settle down your little one when they go to sleep or calm down when they experience strong emotions. 

Cooking

Munchkin Bread Rolls (Mini Pumpkin rolls)

These mini pumpkin breads are a delicious companion to our quick and easy soup recipes, just in time for colder Autumn evenings. You can find lots of healthy recipes here: Healthy Recipes – Nutrition Skills for Life®.

Ingredients (serves 4 little ones)

For the rolls

 50g  wholemeal self-raising flour

50g white self-raising flour

25g of vegetable spread

small handful of grated cheese

¼ teaspoon baking powder

dried mixed herbs (we recommend basil or thyme)

75 ml water

Optional you can add pumpkin and sunflower seeds

For the “pumpkin” wash

1 egg

1 teaspoon paprika or turmeric

How to make it:

Preheat the oven to 180°C (Gas mark 6)

Mix the dried ingredients first, add the spread, cheese and at the end water very slowly until you have a soft dough. You may not need to use the whole amount of water.

Flour the surface and push the dough with your hand and create small circles. Take a piece of white string, ideally something strong that will not melt inside the oven

Cut a piece of string about 5mm long. Take the ends and loop them over the parcel to form a cross on top, twist again and make a few more segments. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just have a go! Tie loosely at the top and trim the ends.

Mix 1 egg yolk with the paprika or turmeric to give your rolls an orange colour (if the mixture is too thick, try adding 1 teaspoon of water).

Brush all over the rolls and place onto a flour dusted tray.

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden. Once cooled, remove the string using scissors.

Top Tip: why not add a few chilli flakes for an extra kick!