HELPFUL OR UNHELPFUL? Help children to learn how to look after their mental health with this card sorting activity! We've given you 34 activities - which are helpful for our mental health and which are unhelpful?

We want children to learn how to look after their own wellbeing from an early age and this is the perfect activity to help little ones get to grips with ways we can take care of our minds. This activity also hopefully shows that there are so many things we can do to help our mental health - that's why we've purposefully included lots more helpful things than unhelpful things.

Directions: Print out, laminate (optional) and cut out all the cards. You can either use the small helpful and unhelpful cards and ask your child to hold them up, or you can use the bigger cards and ask your child to sort the cards into piles. Spend time discussing each activity card and how this makes them feel - is it helpful or unhelpful?

About this resource
Helpful or Unhelpful is a card sorting activity that has been designed for children aged 4+ to learn about what activities and actions are beneficial or detrimental to mental health. In this engaging game, children sort cards into categories of helpful and unhelpful, developing mental health awareness and teaching them how to prioritise their well-being.

• Age Range: 4+ years
• Card Sorting Game: Involves sorting cards into categories of helpful and unhelpful actions and activities.
• Mental Health Learning: Facilitates understanding of what promotes and hinders mental health, empowering children to make informed choices.
• Encourages children to develop self-care habits and prioritise their mental well-being.
• Valuable for parents, professionals, and teachers seeking to promote mental health education and self-care skills in children.

Benefits:

Helpful or Unhelpful? equips children with the knowledge and skills to identify actions and activities that contribute positively or negatively to their mental health. By engaging in this card sorting activity, children learn to make informed decisions, develop self-care strategies, and develop a positive mindset that supports their mental well-being.

Supports mental health learning in a child-friendly and accessible format.

Suitable for Various Needs: Useful for children with ADHD, autism, or other emotional challenges, promoting emotional understanding and regulation.