NLPS Developed Resources
Our Mental Health Team (Student Advocacy Counsellors and SFSK Wellness Coaches) have developed the following resources for our NLPS families:
How Long is Your Breath
A mindful breathing game to help practice taking nice slow, deep, controlled breaths.
Use this activity when you are eating a meal or a snack! Mindful eating helps you notice when you are full, gives you an awareness of the taste of healthy versus unhealthy foods, and supports better digestion.
Set some physical activity goals and keep track of how many of each activity you are able to do during the week. See if you can increase how many you do each day!
Here is a sleep tracker for you to record when you fall asleep and wake up. It will help you to understand your sleep pattern, and how your rest is associated with how you are feeling. Maybe completing this activity will help you to realize it may be time to refresh.
Curated Resources
All of the resources below have been reviewed and recommended by our Mental Health Team (Student Advocacy Counsellors and SFSK Wellness Coaches).
- 20 Sleep Hygiene Tips and Worksheets for Kids and Teenagers
Positive Psychology - 50+ Fun Physical Activities for Kids of All Ages
Family Fun Twin Cities - Build Your Best Day
Participaction
Choose activities that meet the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines to build your best day ever. Also includes a variety of resources for all age groups. - Building Resilient Families - Winter Edition
Alberta Health Services
10 fun activities to help families thrive and bounce forward from difficult times. - I Got My ZZZPower Checklist
Paper Clouds - Indoor Family Fun Workout
Participaction
A kid-friendly, total body workout that can be done in 10-15 minutes without exercise equipment. - Kids Healthy Eating Plate Colouring Sheet
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health - SmokeScreen
This is a virtual game for students, focusing on the prevention of smoking and vaping (you can sign up for free right now to try it). - Taking Charge of Your Health Checklist
Teen Mental Health
- doze: goodnight mind for teens
Designed and developed specifically for young adults! doze is a free sleep self coaching app that aims to support you to achieve a better night’s rest. It enables you to better understand your sleep patterns and make changes for improvements. - LIVE 5-2-1-0
This app is designed for children aged 8-12 and their parents to build healthy habits by following the simple, yet effective, Live 5-2-1-0 message: FIVE or more vegetables and fruits, no more than TWO hours of recreational screen time, at least ONE hour of active play, and ZERO sugary drinks every day. Kids can set a goal, then choose fun daily challenges to work towards a reward! - PARTICIPACTION
Yes, there’s an app too! Includes motivational content to help you stay active and healthy, workout videos and tips and tricks, and virtual team challenges. - Screen Time Widget
A quick guide to reducing screen time produced by the CDC. - quitSTART
Provides a free app to help you quit smoking with tailored tips and challenges.
- 10 "SMART" Physical Activity Goals
UnlockFood.ca
Suggestions for goals you can set to incorporate more physical activity into your life. - 11 Simple Ways to Adopt a Healthy, Sustainable Eating Pattern
healthline
Tips and tricks to make healthy eating easier. - About Vaping
Health Canada - Are Canadian Children Getting Enough Sleep Infographic
Public Health Agency of Canada - At My Best
PHE Canada
This is a free, curriculum-linked resource designed to support children’s optimal development by inspiring and motivating them to make healthier choices and develop lifelong healthy habits. - Benefits of Dance for Kids That Go Beyond the Physical
We the Parents
Science has linked dance with numerous cognitive, academic, and social benefits for kids, so the time they spend dancing in school, as a hobby or extracurricular, and even recreationally contributes to their well-being (in addition to offering up a great workout) - Canada’s Food Guide
Government of Canada
Learn about the updated food guide, and how healthy eating is about more than what you eat. Includes recipes, tips, and resources about healthy eating. - Child & Nature Alliance of Canada
Outdoor learning resources and information to support children playing outside. - Family Influence on the Sleep Behaviours of Children and Youth
Participaction
According to the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth,1 5- to 13-year-olds require 9 to 11 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night and 14- to 17-year-olds require 8 to 10 hours per night, with consistent bed and wake-up times. - Food and Mental Health
mind.org
Learn about how what you eat and drink can affect how you feel, how food and medication interact, and how you can manage your diet when you aren't feeling well. - Healthy Living Resources
Government of Alberta
Healthy living, active living, and healthy eating resources, including Eat Smart Meet Smart. - Let's Get Active! A Parent's Guide to Physical Activity for Kids
UnlockFood.ca
Learn more about physical activity and tips to encourage kids to get active. - National Sleep Foundation
Resources to help you get healthy, restorative sleep. - Outside Play
Resources to support children's outdoor play - Packing a Healthy Lunchbox
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health - PARTICIPACTION
This isn’t the same campaign some of us remember from the ‘80s! This site is full of activities and information about getting and staying physically active. “There are brain benefits, relationship benefits, community benefits and benefits you may have never even expected (like pooping benefits, for instance). The link between physical activity and better physical, mental or emotional health have been proven in study after study. But everyone is different. Understanding what really motivates you, how much and what kind of activity is required to experience positive change, and finding an activity you love to do from all the different ways to get physically active is key.” - Physical Activity for Children and Youth
Caring for Kids - Physical Activity Tips for Children (5-11 Years)
Government of Canada - Sleep Foundation
Learn about sleep, the impact it has on overall health, and how you can address common sleep issues. - Sleep Hygiene for Teens
Children's Hospital of Orange County - Stick to a Sleep Schedule
Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre - What are the 4 stages of sleep?
Oura
Learn about the four stages of sleep and how each one impacts your body and mind.
Most of the books listed below can be requested at your local library or purchased at the retailer of your choice. Many are also available as audiobooks and we have included read aloud YouTube videos when available.
- Unlock the Potential of Food Ingredients for a Healthier Tomorrow by Dieticians Canada
This recipe e-book contains 15 recipes curated by dietitians from across Canada - Chef Fromage and his Veggie Friends: The Great Kitchen Challenge (BC Children's Hospital)
Cookbook for kids with healthy eating challenges.
The Quest for Rest - Polly & Pickles
by Andrea J. Ball and Dr. Smith N. Naidoo
Part one is an imaginative and delightfully illustrated rhyming story that will motivate your child to take the lead in creating their own sleep habits and can be read aloud as part of a healthy bedtime routine. The second half highlights the value of sleep through science-based tips for parents, educators, and health care professionals.
- Guided Mindfulness Meditations
BC Children's Hospital
Mindfulness can be practiced in many different ways, and can be done at almost any time. Dr. Dzung Vo, Dr. Jake Locke, and Dr. Joanna McDermid from BC Children's Hospital have recorded some mindfulness meditations they use in the outpatient mindfulness groups at BC Children's Hospital.
- Free Kids Yoga and Meditation from Alo Gives
Playlist of videos. - Movement Breaks (Stand Up Kids)
Playlist of videos.