"Like it or not, we live in interesting times." Robert F. Kennedy, 1966
Our school campuses are now both closed until the Easter term break commencing on Friday 3 April. Our staff are working hard to deliver teaching to our students through distance learning and online resources but none of us are used to this situation.
To help us through this potentially difficult time, Dan Lawrence, one of our Counselling Team based in the Primary Campus, has pulled together some resources for children and parents that he feels might be useful.
Books
- Something Bad Happened: A Kid’s Guide to Coping with events in the News, Dawn Huebner -Ages 6-12. How to process different world events.
- What To Do When You’re Scared & Worried: A Guide for Kids, James J Crist -Ages 9-13. A help guide to processing fears and worries.
Have You Filled A Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids, Carol McCloud -Encourages positive behavior and expressing kindness and appreciation- How are you Peeling: Foods with Moods, Saxton Freymann & Joost Elffers -Explores how emotions look through pictures of Foods. A good way to talk about emotions with young kids.
- The Way I Feel, Janan Cain -Explores Feelings. A good way to talk about emotions with young kids.
- A Terrible Thing Happened, Margaret M Holmes -Ages 4-8. A story for children who have witnessed violence or trauma
Articles
- Understanding the Mental Health and Social Impact of the Coronavirus: Finding the Middle Path: This is a rich article explaining the science behind our reactions to epidemics and practical ways we can find balance.
- Time - how to talk to kids about coronavirus - A sound article from Time magazine focusing on how to talk to children about the virus
- Talking to children about coronavirus - A Parent resource clear and concise guidance from the National Association of School Psychologists
- Supporting Students Experiencing Childhood Trauma: Tips for Parents and Educators from the National Association of School Psychologists.
- Anxiety and world news: from Hey Sigmund. This is a great website for parents/carers containing the latest psychological news and research.
- Managing anxiety age by age: also from Hey Sigmund. A guide about what to expect age by age around anxiety, strategies and tips on when to get help.
- Talking about world trauma with kids: another great article from Hey Sigmund!.
- CoronaVirus Anxiety: 4 Ways to cope with Fear - Advice from the excellent Psych Central website
- APS article re coronavirus - Australian Psychological Society’s advice for parents
- The Spinoff advice - Advice on how to talk to kids about Covid-19 from a New Zealand blog site
- ANASP advice - Advice from the American National Association of School Psychologists
- Talking to kids about the coronavirus - Advice from the Child Mind Institiute
Podcasts
8 Different Podcasts to listen to regarding Anxiety - A selection of podcasts for parents and adolescents regarding living with and transforming anxiety.- Peace Out - short stories that help kids calm down, relax and practice mindful breathing. Particularly useful for younger year levels.
Videos
- Brain Pop Video- This is a good, primary-appropriate brief video for kids, explaining the virus and how to stay healthy.
- Coronavirus WHO (video) from the World Health Organization “What do you know about the novel Coronavirus that is causing a health emergency? “
- GoZen - Videos, lessons and programs for purchase to manage stress and build resilience for kids.
- Upsetting News - Useful video on upsetting news by ABC
Mindfulness for Kids
Smiling Mind - Smiling Mind is a great mindfulness app/website for the whole family (Age 7+). Many of our students use Smiling Mind at home as a gentle introduction to the practical usefulness of mindfulness practices.- Cosmic Kids - Yoga and mindfulness for kids ages 3+. This is a great resource in an accessible format
Relevant TED-type Talks (for parents and older children)
- The gift and power of emotional courage
- From the obstacles come the path
- Forget yourself - being in a state of flow
If you found these helpful Dan will be sharing more over the coming days and weeks so check back soon and remember - we are all in this together.