Tips for Adults during times of crisis (from the American School Counselor Association)
• Try and keep routines as normal as possible. Kids gain security from the predictability of routine, including attending school (when possible).
• Limit exposure to television and the news.
• Be honest with kids and share with them as much information as they are developmentally able to handle.
• Listen to kids’ fears and concerns.
• Parents and adults need to first deal with and assess their own responses to crisis and stress.
• Rebuild and reaffirm attachments and relationships.
Helping Children CopeThis article is a useful guide with tips and suggestions based on the child's age. It comes from the American School Counselor Associaltion and offers timely advice for comforting children in difficult times. It also serves as a reminder that the way the adults manage their emotions during times of crisis, models wellness for children.
Sometimes, you won't be able to do it all by yourself. If you need more help, this may be a useful tip for seeking additional help. "Many families can cope without outside help. However, there are times when reaching out is important – when the stress is too much or your child’s reactions are different or bigger than usual. Extended family members or religious leaders may offer needed help, but sometimes when the stress is ongoing, it can be helpful to seek out more information or to talk with a trained professional who can provide more support." |
Talking to Children About COVID-19The National Association of School Psychologists give tips to talk with your children about COVID-19. Some of the main points are:
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Helping Children Cope with Disaster: FEMAThis guide from FEMA outlines guidelines to help adults guide children cope with disaster as well as preparedness in advance. This information outlines some typical responses based on age or developmental phase.
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Helping Children Cope With Frightening News"As a parent, you can't protect your children from grief, but you can help them feel safer."
This article walks a parent through a step by step process to talk about grief and loss. Our kids look to us for reassurance and sometimes it is hard to know the right thing to do. The outlined steps are listed below, but click the link to see more detailed information!
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Bouncing BackRemember that we have been through difficult local, national, and global events before. The key is to stick together, support one another, and not give up. We are stronger together!
Remember to emphasize children's strengths, the supports they continue to have in their lives, and hope for the future. This article will give some tips for fostering resilience in our kids. |
Positive Parenting and COVID-19: 10 Tips to Help Keep the Calm at Home
The Healthy Children Orgainzation has compilied a list of 10 tips to "help keep the calm at home." This article is from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The title above is a link to the entire article, but here is a summary of the tips:
- Prevent boredom
- Address fears
- Use time-outs
- Redirect bad behavior
- Know when NOT to respond
- Praise success
- Allow time for attention
- Avoid physical punishment
- Take care of yourself
- Remember to take a breath.