Year 3, Week 14 (116 total reports)COVID-19 & Youth Mental Health
We’re starting with a good laugh at ourselves this morning. These charts created by humorist, Matt Shirley, are applicable to all of us as we deal with Zoom saturation and Pandemic lethargy. Also included, why some people ignore science and how to reasonably increase joy in your life.
13.07.2022-19.06.2022
This Week’s Top Links
19.07.2022
Matt Shirley Draws Relatable And Funny Charts, And Here Are 92 Of His Freshest Ones To Make You Laugh
https://www.boredpanda.com/funny-relatable-charts-matt-shirley/
We all need some of Matt Shirley’s medicine. These charts had me giggling through my morning. Whether your dealing with Zoom saturation or wanting to visualize your boundaries, there is something for you in this hilarious post-pandemic compilation.
18.07.2022
These 4 Factors Can Explain Why So Many People Are Rejecting Science
https://www.sciencealert.com/distrust-in-science-is-causing-harm-but-these-researchers-have-a-plan
These four factors are important to understand if we’re going to move people to make decisions based upon scientific research instead of gut feelings.
17.07.2022
8 Simple (But Powerful) Choices You Can Make To Invite More Joy Into Your Life
https://www.yourtango.com/self/replenish-well-abundance
Feeling a sense of abundance is a determined choice. If you scroll down, you will find another link that ranked very high this week, “Why you’re never going to be satisfied with life.” Though it may sound negative, it is not bad news, it is really rational thinking. To think we can maintain joy continually is unsound and even unhealthy. Instead, seek out the small joys and keep track of them.
16.07.2020
Research Suggests How to Prevent Unwelcome Thoughts
https://www.discovermagazine.com/mind/research-suggests-how-to-prevent-unwelcome-thoughts
Learning to reject and replace unwelcome thoughts is difficult. However, there is a science behind it and learning those methods can help free you from repetitive negative cognitive cycles. Take a moment to benefit from the research these behavioral scientists identified in Jerusalem.
15.07.2022
3 Ways to Get Students Engaged in Their Learning
https://www.edweek.org/leadership/3-ways-to-get-students-engaged-in-their-learning/2022/07
In the article linked below, “The state of learning loss: 7 takeaways from the latest data,” we learn that the learning loss gap is diminishing, but more so among younger children. Older kids are having a harder time closing that gap and an important part of that is their increased need for engagement in their own education process. This article helps identify critical techniques from learned teachers on enhancing educational engagement.
14.07.2022
The ultimate guide to building resilience so you can bounce back from tough times
Fast Company has good articles that are succinct and yet loaded with meat. This article by Gwen Moran is up-to-par. She provides concrete steps for building resilience, regardless of age and circumstance. Read this article to understand better the Habits of Resilience.
13.07.2022
How simply naming emotions can help your children
Naming intense emotions is essential to emotional maturity at any age. The sooner you can help your children do that, the happier they will be and the more fulfilling their lives can become. They will have improved social skills, better grades, more reading capacity; the benefits are almost countless. If your child (or the child you work with) has a difficult time expressing their emotions, consider consulting a Speech Language Pathologist for common assistive devices. Adult care-givers AND children will benefit from the experience of learning words for emotions.
This Week’s Links
19.07.2022
Matt Shirley Draws Relatable And Funny Charts, And Here Are 92 Of His Freshest Ones To Make You Laugh
https://www.boredpanda.com/funny-relatable-charts-matt-shirley/
Why You’re Never Going to Be Satisfied With Life
The Teachers we Remember
https://www.ted.com/talks/julie_hasson_the_teachers_we_remember
Searching for Meaning? Try Appreciating the Small Things
https://neurosciencenews.com/meaning-life-small-things-21063/
The state of learning loss: 7 takeaways from the latest data
https://www.chalkbeat.org/2022/7/19/23269210/learning-loss-recovery-data-nwea-pandemic
False negative rapid Covid tests create confusion for people with obvious symptoms
A Nasal Spray Seems to Help Clear Coronavirus in Clinical Trial
https://gizmodo.com/a-nasal-spray-seems-to-help-clear-coronavirus-in-clinic-1849191972
6 steps to making a COVID plan, before you get sick
https://theconversation.com/6-steps-to-making-a-covid-plan-before-you-get-sick-187158
Fauci says it's 'becoming more and more difficult to get people to listen' because Americans are fed up with the COVID-19 pandemic and want it 'behind them'
https://www.businessinsider.com/fauci-more-and-more-difficult-get-people-listen-covid-2022-7
18.07.2022
These 4 Factors Can Explain Why So Many People Are Rejecting Science
https://www.sciencealert.com/distrust-in-science-is-causing-harm-but-these-researchers-have-a-plan
Transform Your Life and Workplace with These Gratitude Hacks
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/428961
Science Confirms It: Beginning Your Day With This 1 Simple Task Will Help You Think and Feel Better
Diet, Exercise, and Logging Off? Rethinking Employee Wellness
https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/diet-exercise-and-logging-off-rethinking-employee-wellness/
Developmental Dyslexia Was Essential For Human Survival and Still Has Benefits Today
“This Generation Must Work Twice As Hard For What Boomers Had. Here Are The Real Numbers”
https://www.boredpanda.com/gen-z-must-work-twice-hard-than-boomers/
Boost Now or Wait? What You Should Know
https://thetyee.ca/News/2022/07/18/Boost-Now-Or-Wait-What-You-Should-Know/
BA.5 doesn’t care that you just had Covid-19
https://www.vox.com/23200811/covid-19-omicron-ba5-reinfection-vaccine-paxlovid
You'll likely catch COVID-19 again and again. Will each round feel milder? | CBC News
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/covid-reinfection-risks-adults-1.6522051
17.07.2022
8 Simple (But Powerful) Choices You Can Make To Invite More Joy Into Your Life
https://www.yourtango.com/self/replenish-well-abundance
Care and Feeding: My Kids Are Such Negative Nellies. How Can I Get Them to Appreciate How Good They Have It?
https://slate.com/human-interest/2022/07/negative-kids-bad-attitude.html?via=rss_flipboard
Self-control during adolescence predicts the tendency to forgive others in adulthood, study finds
Covid case increase prompts the return of masks
COVID reinfection has a silver lining—one that may tame the pandemic
16.07.2020
Research Suggests How to Prevent Unwelcome Thoughts
https://www.discovermagazine.com/mind/research-suggests-how-to-prevent-unwelcome-thoughts
Here’s Why the Novavax Vaccine Is So Different From the mRNA Options
https://www.self.com/story/how-does-novavax-covid-vaccine-work
15.07.2022
3 Ways to Get Students Engaged in Their Learning
https://www.edweek.org/leadership/3-ways-to-get-students-engaged-in-their-learning/2022/07
Research Suggests How to Prevent Unwelcome Thoughts
https://www.discovermagazine.com/mind/research-suggests-how-to-prevent-unwelcome-thoughts
Here’s Why the Novavax Vaccine Is So Different From the mRNA Options
https://www.self.com/story/how-does-novavax-covid-vaccine-work
Is It Easier to Get COVID-19 Outdoors with BA.5?
https://apple.news/Aj28LNWhwRLeNu3dQc2wrBg
14.07.2022
The ultimate guide to building resilience so you can bounce back from tough times
On a Scale of 1 to 10, Here's How Worried You Should Be About The COVID Variant BA.5
Some ERs overwhelmed as another COVID-19 wave hits
https://flipboard.com/video/global-news/a07cca7c56
Sore throat and cough top symptoms that could be Covid
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-62161604
13.07.2022
How simply naming emotions can help your children
Young people’s mental health is getting worse but mindfulness training isn’t the answer, large UK study suggests
https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/12/health/mindfulness-training-uk-schools-not-effective-wellness/
An Omicron vaccine is coming. Should you wait for it—or get your next booster now amid BA.5’s surge?
https://fortune.com/2022/07/12/omicron-vaccine-booster-subvariant-ba-5-pfizer-moderna-wait-timing/
New vaccine may protect against coronavirus variants, similar viruses
Fauci calls for masks indoors and warns US faces ANOTHER Covid wave due to 'waning immunity' to Omicron variant - as he returns to TV after his own battle with the virus
COVID Report: Year 3, Week 13
Happier, the importance of virtue, building cities for kids too, summer talks to help coaches and teachers understand neurodivergency. What do most people say before they die? A broad spectrum of interesting links this week. Dig deep…
Year 3, Week 13 (115 total reports)
COVID-19 & Youth Mental Health
06.07.2022-13.06.2022
This Week’s Top Links
12.07.2022
It Only Takes 3 Minutes a Day to Become Happier. Here's How
https://www.cnet.com/health/mental/it-only-takes-3-minutes-a-day-to-become-happier-heres-how/
The Happiness Project is an excellent resource for parent(s), youth and caregivers. This article quotes Dr. Martin Seligman, one of my most admired psychologists and a former president of the American Psychological Association (APA). Though some might disagree, Dr. Seligman is probably more responsible than any other contemporary psychologist for moving the science of psychology from studying negative behavior and psychopathology to focus on positive behavior and strengths-based science. The simple suggestion in this article is to write three reflections on gratitude daily (what happened and why I’m grateful for it). It helped people focus on growing their locus of control rather than a sense of helplessness.
11.07.2022
Virtue Helps People Rise Above Despair and Resentment - Neuroscience News
https://neurosciencenews.com/virtue-confidence-hostility-21006/
The power of virtue in one’s life is verified by science. It may be one of the few tools we have to counter messages of hate and destruction. In our outreaches to incarcerated young people, we would often have older members of the community come in and privately study the book, “Man’s Search for Meaning,” with the youth. All people need an alternative “lever” to the copious reports of inconsiderate behavior displayed in public places and by politicians worldwide.
10.07.2022
Cities Aren’t Built for Kids
https://apple.news/At-pjx24BT3ypE2VHEalS1g
This article begins by focusing on children areas in Amsterdam that recognize the needs of maturing children who live downtown. The point is, we know it’s being done and can be done. Cities were originally designed for parent(s) to come to work and leave their children behind. But that is increasingly less the norm as cities become places where many single parents find themselves economically trapped with their child(children). The design of these inner cities has a great impact on the emotional maturity of children. It’s not just about green-space and playgrounds—though that has a lot of impact. It’s also about less traffic and more street level, brain-engaging shops. This is something that most city designers want anyway. It would definitely take more creativity and a commitment to childhood development to structure our cities to be more child-friendly. But now, as we look at returning to work downtown, would be an ideal time to ask these questions.
09.07.2022
How to Talk to Teachers and Coaches About Your Child’s Neurodivergency
https://lifehacker.com/how-to-talk-to-teachers-and-coaches-about-your-child-s-1849155910
Neurodivergent children need advocates—especially as they head into the summer season—when less coaches of summer school staff have training in the behaviors of these young ones. They may see a child’s inattentiveness or fidgety-ness as signs of poor behavior or non-compliance. This is a great article to use when starting that conversation.
08.07.2022
What Most People Say Before They Die, According To Top Palliative Doctor, Simran Malhotra – Exclusive
What really matters in the end? People who work with those who are palliative hear common reflections from their patients. There are a lot of common regrets out there and a lot of common emotions. This is a touching article and as more people experience the death of someone close to them due to the continuance of COVID-19. We could all use these suggestions of spending final moments with our loved ones.
07.07.2022
Young People On TikTok Are Launching A Big Debate About 'Personality Hires'
https://apple.news/AHdwVYej-S0uo5JXttnEaXQ
I ran this article by two “young people” (my son and my nephew) before selecting it for this week’s top sites. Using TikTok for going beyond the job interview just makes sense in today’s job market and the young people suggesting themselves as “personality hires” have something to sell here. When sending in a CV is not enough and you want people to know why you stand out—particularly if it is your personality that may not stand out in a traditional office interview, this technique might be for you.
06.07.2022
Why no one wants to be a teacher anymore
https://www.newstatesman.com/quickfire/2022/07/why-no-one-wants-to-be-teacher-anymore
We continue to ask more from our teachers, but many of them live on salaries that qualify them for food stamps. The epidemic has forced them to adapt technologies for teaching never before used—or taught in universities. All while asking them to keep kids up with externally set standards that we hard to maintain even before COVID-19. Is there a solution? That’s not the focus of this article, but any solution will have to start with listening to those who are doing the job. We need more truth-telling articles from those close to the heart of this issue and that’s the primary strength of this article.
This Week’s Links
12.07.2022
It Only Takes 3 Minutes a Day to Become Happier. Here's How
https://www.cnet.com/health/mental/it-only-takes-3-minutes-a-day-to-become-happier-heres-how/
This 30-Minute Growth Mindset Exercise Helps Teens Navigate School Stress
https://www.scarymommy.com/parenting/30-minute-class-improve-teen-stress-free
30 Soothing Fidget Toys and Sensory Products
https://www.britannica.com/reviews/best-fidget-toys
These COVID 'Facts' Are No Longer True
https://lifehacker.com/these-covid-facts-are-no-longer-true-1849165352
New Omicron subvariants are causing COVID rates to increase. These are the states where it’s most contagious right now
https://fortune.com/2022/07/11/where-covid-is-most-contagious-states-omicron-subvariants/
11.07.2022
Virtue Helps People Rise Above Despair and Resentment - Neuroscience News
https://neurosciencenews.com/virtue-confidence-hostility-21006/
The video game prescribed by doctors to treat ADHD
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-62060542
The incredible neuroscience behind the culture wars
https://bigthink.com/the-well/neuroscience-of-inequality/
My Daughter Is On Her Own Timeline & It's Reminding Me to Be Patient With Mine
https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/2589539/kids-own-developmental-milestone-timeline/
Does BA.5 cause more severe disease than earlier Omicron subvariants?
https://newatlas.com/health-wellbeing/does-ba5-cause-severe-disease-omicron-covid-ba2-study/
What Should You Do When You Have COVID? Here's What Health Officials Say
10.07.2022
Cities Aren’t Built for Kids
https://apple.news/At-pjx24BT3ypE2VHEalS1g
The Bittersweet Story of the Real-Life Peaceful Bull Who Inspired Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson’s Ferdinand
https://www.themarginalian.org/2022/07/09/ferdinand-civilon/
I talked to 70 parents who raised highly successful adults—here are 4 things they refuse to do
https://apple.news/AC-rS98pcSiSE9cEoWWL5nw
Move over, measles: Dominant Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 could be the most infectious viruses known to man
https://fortune.com/2022/07/09/is-covid-omicron-more-transmissible-infectious-than-measles-ba4-ba5/
The Covid symptoms of the new BA.4 and BA.5 strains that you should look out for
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/covid-symptoms-new-ba4-ba5-24448334
09.07.2022
How to Talk to Teachers and Coaches About Your Child’s Neurodivergency
https://lifehacker.com/how-to-talk-to-teachers-and-coaches-about-your-child-s-1849155910
This viral TikTok of a gorilla meeting his keeper's baby for the first time is the antidote to your doomscrolling
https://www.mother.ly/news/news-viral-trending/baby-and-gorilla-tiktok/
84 Of The Best Introvert Memes From This Facebook Group
https://www.boredpanda.com/funny-introvert-memes-jokes/
CDC: Majority of Americans Should Be Wearing Masks Indoors or Considering It
Coronavirus FAQ: I took a trip and caught COVID. What should I do? When can I go home?
These Are the Top Symptoms of the New BA.4 and BA.5 COVID Variant
https://parade.com/health/ba4-ba5-variant-symptoms
Meet the newest members of the Omicrom family: ‘Centaurus’ and ‘Bad ‘Ned’ may be the reason you have a weird summer cold
08.07.2022
What Most People Say Before They Die, According To Top Palliative Doctor, Simran Malhotra – Exclusive
Curiosity is linked to crystallized intelligence but not fluid intelligence, study finds
The Stages of Grief Explained and How to Cope With Loss
https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/relationships-love/a40514715/stages-of-grief/
Why Covid is still a pandemic, says Dr. Jha: 'We got the biological science right, but we didn't get the social science right'
Super-infectious BA.5 is a coronavirus ‘beast.’ Here’s how to protect yourself
'Going back to wearing a mask again...': Ontario's new wave of COVID-19 leads science, health experts to urge the public to add protections
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/ontario-covid19-science-advisory-table-ba5-mask-175220400.html
07.07.2022
Young People On TikTok Are Launching A Big Debate About 'Personality Hires'
https://apple.news/AHdwVYej-S0uo5JXttnEaXQ
How to Calm Someone Down From a Panic Attack
https://www.verywellhealth.com/calm-someone-down-panic-attack-5323892
The most common Covid symptom people are reporting during this wave has changed...
https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/body/health/a40525124/headache-covid/
We Know You've (Probably) Ditched Your Face Mask, But It's Time To Dig It Out
https://apple.news/AtwlEmyaIQOeImsP7pQT1Hw
How Are We Possibly Still Disinfecting Things?
https://apple.news/Avbo7D1gxQjyiZn-zZ6JzpQ
06.07.2022
Why no one wants to be a teacher anymore
https://www.newstatesman.com/quickfire/2022/07/why-no-one-wants-to-be-teacher-anymore
How to Calm Someone Down From a Panic Attack
https://www.verywellhealth.com/calm-someone-down-panic-attack-5323892
Wabi-Sabi and the Psychology of Imperfection
The omicron subvariant now dominating the U.S. is ‘the worst version of the virus that we’ve seen’
https://fortune.com/2022/07/05/ba5-omicron-subvariant-now-dominant-in-us-immune-escape-evasion-ba4/
Who’s most at risk of developing long COVID? Experts think these 6 groups of people might be
https://fortune.com/2022/07/03/long-covid-whos-most-at-risk-of-developing/
Year 3, Week 11 (113 total reports)
COVID-19 & Youth Mental Health
08.06.2022-13.06.2022
This Week’s Top Links
19.06.2022
Souvenirs From a Civilization That Kills Its Children
https://apple.news/AMAt2Gs5vQyqTR6wO_GejwA
18.06.2022
How Poor Sleep Is Hurting Teen Mental Health
https://people.com/health/how-poor-sleep-is-hurting-teen-mental-health/
17.06.2022
Long COVID Could Be a ‘Mass Deterioration Event’
16.06.2022
‘It’s like the loss happened yesterday’: how long is too long to mourn?
15.06.2022
Trading ‘Please focus’ for ‘How are you?’: A listening strategy that’s helping some teachers improve the classroom experience
This Week’s Links
19.06.2022
Souvenirs From a Civilization That Kills Its Children
https://apple.news/AMAt2Gs5vQyqTR6wO_GejwA
Honoring Your Loved One's Memory and Legacy—55 Celebration of Life Ideas
https://parade.com/1396778/marynliles/celebration-of-life-ideas/
We asked teachers how their year went. They warned of an exodus to come
https://apple.news/AlrOMQ2MuTMmq_-aj2bl8EQ
Kids Who Do Chores Are More Successful Adults, According to Science. (There's Just 1 Catch)
https://apple.news/A2pMA31O5ROOlI-uHDwqxPA
Harvard-trained parenting expert to dads: Do these 8 things to raise confident, strong-minded daughters
https://apple.news/AyoKV_BdLSDWdt_EDnH0qdg
How many times can you get reinfected with Covid? Here's what we know
https://apple.news/AYSLiP3hrS7-ciwn2dhMzlQ
CDC endorses coronavirus vaccines for children under 5
https://apple.news/Ac8k4eyCZRsWDU3_U1uTcFg
It's getting harder to gauge your Covid risk levels—these 4 numbers can help
https://apple.news/AZ2KNxwRBTp2mMFrucrrfdQ
You really can learn as much from failure as you do success
You’ll struggle not to crack a smile at our best dad joke rundown – just in time for Father’s Day
https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/18932244/dad-joke-rundown-fathers-day-best-15-jokes/
18.06.2022
How Poor Sleep Is Hurting Teen Mental Health
https://people.com/health/how-poor-sleep-is-hurting-teen-mental-health/
Long COVID: Disrupted sleep, fatigue common months after infection
Omicron COVID variant keeps getting worse, may outpace vaccines
17.06.2022
Long COVID Could Be a ‘Mass Deterioration Event’
Childhood fitness could help with better brain function later in life, study says
https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Wellness/video/childhood-fitness-brain-function-life-study-85458234
FDA authorizes Covid-19 vaccines for younger children
https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/17/health/fda-vaccine-authorization-younger-kids/
'Arrogant' anti-vaxxer who attacked Covid centres jailed and told he cannot 'break the law to impose your views on others'
16.06.2022
‘It’s like the loss happened yesterday’: how long is too long to mourn?
Life with long COVID: I weep for my children’s loss of the mom they had
https://www.today.com/health/essay/long-covid-parenting-rcna33049
US could have saved 338,000 lives from Covid with universal healthcare, study finds
'Part of a new normal:' Covid reinfections are here to stay
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/many-can-get-reinfected-covid-rcna33629
How long is your COVID vaccine good for? You can soon find out, thanks to a new test that informs patients of their immunity’s ‘magnitude and duration’
COVID-19 on the Brain: Neurological Symptoms Persist in Majority of Long-Haulers - Neuroscience News
https://neurosciencenews.com/long-covid-neurology-20839/
4 big questions about Covid-19 vaccines for babies and toddlers
https://www.vox.com/23166033/covid-vaccines-kids-babies-fda-pfizer-moderna
15.06.2022
Trading ‘Please focus’ for ‘How are you?’: A listening strategy that’s helping some teachers improve the classroom experience
The U.S. Leaves Parents On Their Own for a Reason
Stress, Burnout, Depression: Teachers and Principals Are Not Doing Well, New Data Confirm
People who caught Covid in first wave get ‘no immune boost’ from Omicron
A Battle for Every Day: Mindfulness Versus Complacency
https://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/747271-battle-every-day-mindfulness-versus-complacency
COVID-19 A Primer for Foster Parent(s) and Group Homes
This post was originally released at the beginning of the Pandemic, 20 March, 2020.
Coronavirus (COVID-19); A Primer for Group Homes and Foster Care
This post was originally released at the beginning of the Pandemic, 20 March, 2020. Who could have expected it would be with us for so long?
Responding To Coronavirus (COVID-19)
SAFETY IN ROUTINE
When under stress, children find safety in routine. “Don’t let this time of social distancing become social isolation for your children and youth.”
Children learn how to deal with stress by watching the adults around them deal with it. Young ones—especially those who’ve experienced adverse experiences in their lives—are “extra attuned” to subtle adult signs of stress. Be conscious of your own mindfulness and need for calm at this time.
MINDFULNESS EXERCISE
If a child does have a meltdown (or an increased number of them) remember the 3 R’s of helping children through emotional outbursts:
Regulate: There is no reasoning with a person whose emotions are boiling over. Instead, meet them where they are and bring them to your level of calm. A good example would be to sit in a soft chair together and ask your child to breath with you.
Relate: After they feel calm, it is important to reaffirm your unconditional acceptance of the child. Tell your child you understand their feelings, that feelings can sometimes be really strong and often overwhelming. Let them know you love them even when they are angry.
Reason: Only after the first two steps have been completed will children feel ready to listen and share. Now you can reason with the child. Include the child in creating positive alternatives for responding to overwhelming emotions.
THINGS TO DO
Books, cooking, music arts and crafts; this is a great opportunity to expand young minds in ways they are often too busy to pursue. It is also a chance to share mindfulness techniques together. I like to teach the children and youth I work with a Q.R.S. technique: There are three steps to it. As in all mindfulness techniques, it is important to be intentional and slow down your breathing with each step, then repeat them as often as necessary.
Q: “Quiet my brain (or mind)” let go of your racing thoughts and be present in the moment.
R: “Relax my body” (focus on a part of your body where you normally feel the stress; neck? shoulders? stomach? Wherever it is, focus on that part of your body and repeat this statement until you feel that part of your body relaxing.
S: “Smile and breath.” Slowly. When you sincerely smile for ninety seconds, it actually forces your body to release endorphins (dopamine) that stimulate the pleasure centers of your brain.
Keep in mind that your child is picking up messages about the coronavirus, some of which might be accurate, but many are not. Accuracy and optimism are critical aspects to overcoming feelings of helplessness that often occur during times like these. Show your child how to build on the things you can control and let go of the things you can’t control. You can tell your children to do this, but they need to see it role-modeled by you in order to adopt it as habitual behavior. Show them how you breathe deeply and count to ten when you feel sad or angry. Make a game of taking a moment between your feelings and your actions. You can even use sock puppets as characters in a play. Model the behavior, then let your child make up their own play.
This is an excellent time to sit down and create hand-written letters to loved ones, consider especially those in your family who are elderly or may be susceptible to Coronavirus (COVID-19), express your love and support to them. It is also a great time for children and youth to write (or draw) gratitude letters to people in their lives for whom they are grateful. Consider teachers, but you can also include people you do not know like Health Care workers, first responders and long-term care facility employees.
Before meals, discuss things for which you are grateful. Gratitude is a very important habit to grow with children and practices like this will help children not only be grateful in the moment, but also look for things they can be thankful for throughout the day—and their lives!
There are a number of things that parents can model and children can do to both slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and reduce the chance of infection. Here is a short list:
Hand washing: Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds (the length of singing “Happy Birthday”) or use this time for mindfulness such as the QRS Technique above. If hand washing is unavailable, use a sanitizer, especially after coughing or sneezing and when handling food. A sanitizer is not as effective as hand-washing, but it does reduce a significant amount of germs.
Cough/sneeze etiquette: Cough and sneeze into your arm or a clean tissue.
Keep clean: Keep hands away from your face and mouth.
Social Distancing: Stay away from large groups and when in public, keep at least 2 meters (a little over 6 feet) from the people around you. Bump elbows and avoid shaking hands. For guidelines on parks and playgrounds, please see the article below (Playgrounds, babysitters, grandparents: What’s safe for kids in the age of coronavirus?)
Stay healthy: Stay healthy by eating healthy foods, keeping physically active, getting enough sleep. Check out the article below: The Body Coach Joe Wicks is holding online PE sessions for the nation's children.
Let your child know it is okay to be concerned about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and that you are available to answer their questions. Responses don’t need to be complicated or scientific, simple and age-appropriate replies are best. If you are with an older child, looking for more in-depth responses, I’ve included two links (below) to the WHO website. Remember, regardless of age, it is always best to explore new information together. Avoid sending children and youth to explore the Internet alone. Consider the Internet is like a potentially dangerous neighborhood in your community. You wouldn’t send your child there alone nor should you send them to the Internet alone; there are too many dangers. Check out the article below, how to talk to children about coronavirus.
Canada has a resource available to children and youth that provides access to free mental health support. It’s called Kids Help Phone. It offers help in text, phone and live chat. It also helps children and youth locate available resources locally. Topics covered include COVID-19, anxiety, coping with tragedy, sexual assault, Q&A Counseling, dating, suicide, family issues and more. The link is provided below in the Online Resource section.
In an article from NPR (see link below), one high school teacher who is now home with his daughters is calling this a “Coranaissance”, combining the term Coronavirus with the Renaissance; a chance to grow the creative and artistic side of our children.
THINGS TO AVOID
The WHO (World Health Organization) has a list of things to avoid at this time.
COVID-19 has and is likely to affect people from many countries, in many geographical locations. Don’t attach it to any ethnicity or nationality. Be empathetic to those who got affected, in and from any country, those with the disease have not done anything wrong. ?
Don’t - refer to people with the disease as “COVID-19 cases”, “victims” “COVID-19 families” or the “diseased”. They are “people who have COVID-19”, “people who are being treated for COVID-19”, “people who are recovering from COVID-19” and after recovering from COVID- 19 their life will go on with their jobs, families and loved ones. ?
Avoid watching, reading or listening to news that cause you to feel anxious or distressed; seek information mainly to take practical steps to prepare your plans and protect yourself and loved ones. Seek information updates at specific times during the day once or twice. The sudden and near-constant stream of news reports about an outbreak can cause anyone to feel worried. Get the facts. Gather information at regular intervals, from WHO website and local health authorities’ platforms, in order to help you distinguish facts from rumors.
TIME FOR “NOT-DOING”
Keep in mind your child doesn’t have to be busy all the time. Our brains are often in their most creative state during times of relaxed play. Neurologists refer to this as transient hypofrontality, which simply means letting the brain temporarily focus on an engaging task so the frontal lobe can take a break. Adults do this whenever they are super-absorbed in a craft. It’s a time when we are most available to creative learning. Plan time for solo play for your child; no electronics and no agenda.