Bringing digital apps to the fore to look after children’s mental well-being

By Tracy Gladman

Education & Business Manager, Worrinots

Recent studies and aging statistics show us children’s mental well-being needs to be given careful consideration and attention; charities with high profile backing are bringing the subject to the mainstream media.  Despite this issue in a technically driven world, no new solutions have been available to support children, until now.

The Worrinots is the first app specifically created for children between 5 and 11 years to help them cope with their fears and arm them with practical ways to deal with their feelings and emotions in private, helping children to have the best start in life.  The Worrinots are four characters designed to ‘make the fear disappear’ with their names specifically chosen for children to learn coping mechanisms suggested by psychologists.  Rip and Stomp were born out of these practical methods and deliver their own individual poem bringing their character to life; offering instant gratification to children in their own unique way when children share their worries, fears and concerns with the Worrinots, making them part of the whole school family.

Meet the Worrinots!

STOMP
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Pleased to meet you Stomp’s my name. Stomping worries is my game. Tell me if someone’s been unkind. Let me know what’s on your mind. I’ll deal with it how I know best. Stomped to pieces, like the rest.

RIP
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Hello there, my name’s Rip. I tend to tear the things I grip
If something has upset your day. I will make it go away.
Write them down and I will shred. The bad thoughts up inside your head.

SHAKEY
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I’m shakey, I’m a Worrinot. I like to jump around a lot. If something has made you sad. Helping you would make me glad. Just tell me what’s made you blue. And I will show you what to do.

CHOMP

Hello there, my name is Chomp. I like to eat fears, unlike Stomp. If you write down how you feel. You can make it my next meal. Just feed me your fear or worry. And it will go in such a hurry.

In addition to confiding in the characters, age appropriate Worri-tips have been co-written and verified by a BACP registered counsellor so children can turn to trusted tips and tactics in a secure environment to gain tips and coping mechanisms that can last a lifetime.  It is important adults know children are in a safe place, whether playing outside or in the confines of their own world on mobile devices.  The Worrinots app does not feature any in app purchasing, advertising or links to external websites giving adults that peace of mind when their child is engaging with the Worrinots app.

When children’s worries and fears are taken care of children are able to develop into well-rounded individuals.  As educators we know that when children have a healthy well-being and children feel safe and happy, they thrive in their academic studies.

The Worri-tips can be embedded into the PSHE curriculum to encourage mutual respect and tolerance of peers helping to create a positive, friendly and safe environment for children to be able to develop physically, spiritually and emotionally.

The Worrinots has been created with security at the fore of every step of its development;  
parents and educators can have complete  ​

peace of mind knowing children have somewhere trusted to turn to when they are experiencing times of uncertainty or difficulty, but don’t have the confidence to speak face to face to an adult.  ​

​The Worrinots app has been developed to create positive long term well-being by offering early intervention and allowing children access when they need it, on their terms.  With each child having their own secure account they can be confident that their conversations are private, specifically for them in this much needed 21st century manner.

When you combine the Worrinots with the school environment; parents and staff can feel assured children have someone to confide in, and feel at ease knowing the trusted tips are there for children in the secure confines of the Worrinots app.