Bee-ing There: Supporting Children’s Emotions and Mental Health by Busy Bees
At Busy Bees, we know that caring for children means more than just helping them learn and grow — it also means supporting their emotional wellbeing every step of the way.
That’s why we’re proud to be supporting BBC Children in Need during Mental Health Awareness Week to shine a light on the importance of boosting children’s mental health and reminding us how powerful strong, supportive relationships can be.
Whether it’s a cuddle from a parent, a reassuring smile from a key worker, or enjoying story time, these everyday moments of connection can make a world of difference to a child. They help little ones feel safe, understood and ready to share what’s going on inside — even if they don’t quite have the words just yet.
In this blog, we’ll share gentle ways to support your child’s mental wellbeing at home and introduce six brilliant books that can help spark important conversations about emotions.
Why Talking Matters
Children experience a wide range of emotions — excitement, fear, anger, joy, confusion — often all in one day! Putting those feelings into words can be tricky, especially for younger children who are still learning how to communicate. This is where we, as grown-ups, can make a real difference.
The BBC Children in Need campaign reminds us that when children have trusted adults who listen without judgement, they are more likely to share what’s on their minds. These conversations don’t need to be long or complicated – just being present and asking open questions can make a lasting impact
Everyday Ways to Support Children’s Mental Health
Here are some ways to nurture your child’s emotional wellbeing through everyday interactions:
- Daily check-ins: Ask how their day went — not just what they did, but how they felt.
- Play and physical activities: Encouraging physical activity and movement in play allows children to express themselves and burn off energy. Movement supports our mental health just as much as our physical health.
- Model healthy emotional expression: Show your own emotions appropriately — “I felt frustrated earlier, so I took a deep breath.”
- Read books together that allow for conversations about feelings (see our recommended list below!)
- Offer comfort without trying to “fix” everything: Sometimes, just knowing you’re there is enough.
6 Wonderful Children’s Books to Help Explore Emotions
Books are a brilliant way to start conversations about feelings — they provide language, validation, and comfort. Here are six of our favourite books that make talking about emotions feel natural and fun:
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
At Busy Bees, we believe that every small moment of connection can have a big impact. Whether it’s through a cuddle, a story, or simply taking time to listen, these everyday interactions help children feel safe, supported and ready to share how they’re feeling.
By working together — parents, carers, educators and communities — we can give children the strong emotional foundations they need to thrive. Let’s keep making space for those little chats about big feelings.
Pudsey’s Pause
We have developed a quick and easy three part tool, with the help of clinical psychologist Dr Julie.
Pudsey’s Pause helps parents start daily conversations with the children in their lives in three easy steps- pause, spot and share.
