playbook for parents
AngerTantrums? Yelling? Crying?
Sometimes children become overwhelmed with disappointment, fear, or just being told “no”. Anger is a strong emotion that takes a lot of practice to tame! When working with kids, remember that once a child has become angry, the first thing to restoring the calm is regulate! Help them use their coping skills or give them the time and space to cool off. Next, you want to relate by sharing or discussing things that make you angry and what you may do. Last, you can reason with them. When using this model, you avoid the continued state of stress. Sometimes we want to jump right to reasoning with our child but this is not always possible during a meltdown. Here are some recommended resources for you & your child: Books on Video: Grumpy Monkey Handouts: Minecraft Managing Anger Anger Coping Steps Printable Anger Bookmarks Something Made Me Feel Angry What Can I Say When I'm Mad Videos: Daniel Tiger on Anger Handling Angry Feelings with Sesame Street Series of Emotions Part IV: How to Help Children Understand and Manage Anger (NEW)! |
Anxiety & worry
Fear of the dark? Scared of going to school? Worried about an upcoming test?
Anxiety and worry are strong emotions that can often be difficult for children to navigate. When discussing anxiety with children, we can sometimes dismiss their worries by telling them “there’s nothing to worry about”. Remember that your child’s anxiety surrounding different people, places, and things is real. Let them know it’s normal to feel worry and give them some tools to practice bringing them calm. Some common ways to alleviate worry are breathing, counting to ten, and going for a walk. Here are some recommended resources for you & your child: Books with Activities: 1. Read: The Worry Warrior by Karen Young then complete the following: Worry Warrior Worry Writing Journal 2. Read: Worry Says What 3. Read: Wilma Jean the Worry Machine Books on Video: Jack's Worry Don't Feed the worry bug Handouts: On My Mind Today.. Be the Boss Fortune Teller Draw Me Safe (with discussion questions COVID 19) Anxiety Butterflies Worry Scale Calm My Worry Videos: Sesame Street on Feeling Anxious Counselor Keri's Worry Warriors Video Curriculum (NEW)! |
DivorceDivorce is a big transition for children that comes with many different difficult emotions. Children often have feelings of anger, sadness, and guilt. It is common for children to blame themselves for their parents' separation. It is also common for children to believe and hope that their parents will mend their relationships. The good news is that by developing a consistent routine in your child's life and having honest conversations with them, they will most likely adjust to the change in their life.
Here are some recommended resources for you & your child: Books: Dinosaur Divorce Books on Video My Two Homes Websites: www.uptoparents.org www.childrenanddivorce.com www.parentswithoutpartner.org www.divorcecare.org www.divorcesource.com Sesame Street on Divorce Videos: Helping Children Through Divorce Pt 1 Helping Children Through Divorce Pt 2 Helping Children Through Divorce Pt 3 Helping Children Through Divorce Pt 4 |
coping skills & feelingsDoes your child have difficulty with strong emotions and finding ways to manage those emotions?
Coping skills are unique to each individual person. Finding coping skills that work for you or your child is a trial and error process that is necessary to them being able to regulate their emotions. Some common coping skills are taking deep breaths, listening to music, drawing, baking, counting to ten, snuggling with a teddy bear or other stuffed animal, blowing bubbles, or taking a long walk. The list is endless! Another important part on utilizing coping skills is understanding the triggers that cause uncomfortable feelings, that way you can predict the need to take a break to avoid disruptive behaviors caused by negative emotions. Here are some recommended resources for you & your child: Apps: Breathe, Think, Do by Sesame Street, Headspace Books on Video: The Way I Feel The Color Monster In My Heart Glad Monster, Sad Monster My Many Colored Days Sailing through Stress Websites: Class Dojo Big Ideas on Moods & Attitudes Emotional ABCs Sesame Street: Exploring Emotions Julia Cook Online Workbooks: First Aid Feelings by Scholastic (NEW)! Videos: Series of Emotions Part I (NEW)! |
grief & lossHave you had a recent loss of a loved one?
Grief & loss is a difficult thing to process even as adults. For kids, sometimes understanding the permanency is difficult to understand. Grief can cause a child to regress; Children may begin bed-wetting, thumb-sucking, or exhibiting separation anxiety as they work through the stages of grief. Children can shift from feelings of anger, sadness, and happiness within a short period of time. This is all a normal reaction to a recent loss. Here are some recommended resources for you & your child: A list of suggested books ranging from pet loss, a loss of a sibling, a loss of a grandparent, or another loved on in the family can be found here: Books for Grieving Children Books on Video: Til We meet Again The invisible String Grief and Healing Handouts: Grief Journal (For the loss of a loved one). Websites: Sesame Street on Grief |
IncarcerationHas your family experienced a recent incarceration of a loved one?
Navigating the legal system can be difficult. Especially, when you have young children at home. Often children have many questions on where and why their loved one is incarcerated. These questions can develop into a variety of emotions. Some might include the feeling of loss, anger, frustration, or worry. During this difficult time, communicating and working as a family is critical to help children cope with the absence of a loved one. Here are some recommended resources for you & your child: Handouts: Reconnecting after a long absence (Tips for Dad). Sesame Street: Incarceration guide Caregiver & Family Tips Websites: www.amachimentoring.org www.fatherhood.gov www.prisonsociety.org The Virtual Visitation National Programs that help serve children with an incarcerated loved one Sesame Street - Incarceration peoplespaperco-op.weebly.com |
MindfulnessMindfulness has become a very trendy topic these days. Mindfulness is described as being in the present moment and acknowledging those feelings, thoughts, and body's sensations. Mrs. Rezykowski and Ms. Spadine utilize the Mind Yeti curriculum with students and we call those feelings, thoughts, and body's sensations Hub Bubbles! The Mind is our Hub Bub, where the feelings, thoughts, and body's sensations are stored and it is important to clear that Hub Bub as our Hub Bubbles pile up! When our mind is cluttered, it is difficult to de-stress. One way to become more mindful is to do grounding exercises.
Here are some recommended resources for you & your child: Handouts: Starfish Breathing The Brain described by Blissful Kids Websites: Cosmic Kids Yoga Class Dojo Big Ideas on Mindfulness Mind Yeti Blissful Kids |
resiliencyResiliency is described as the ability to bounce back after a traumatic event or being able to keep moving forward even when things get tough! Developing resiliency is important because it allows us to develop skills such as hard work and perseverance. One way to develop resiliency in children is to teach growth mindset, positive self-talk, and encourage them to try and try again! Sometimes children get discouraged when they do something wrong. This can take a toll on self-esteem or create problem behaviors.
Here are some recommended resources for you & your child: Handouts: Resiliency Parent Handout Positive Thinking Parent Handout Growth Mindset Parent Handout 5 Keys to Resiliency Lemons into Lemonade I have a Growth Mindset Bouncing Back Websites: ClassDojo Big Ideas on Big Challenges, Growth Mindset, Perseverance, & Positive Thinking Little Children, Big Challenges Videos: Sesame Street do Growth Mindset Sesame Street: The Power of Yet |
self-EsteemDeveloping a positive self image is hard as children begin to identify with who they are. Many students compare themselves to others and in a world focused on body image, children often feel disappointed with how they look or the qualities they possess. It is important to focus on your child's strengths and assets. Remind them that what is on the inside is more important than the outside. Continue working with your child to try their personal best and develop a mindset that is positive in nature but also requires them to push themselves!
Here are some recommended resources for you & your child: Books on Video I believe in myself The reflection in me I like myself I can handle it Handouts: My Self-Esteem Turtle Something About Me I am Great Because... Things I like about me Self-esteem Writing Journal Self-esteem Dice Game Self-Esteem Bubble Hand Out Positive Affirmations Videos I am Awesome! |
social skillsDeveloping appropriate social skills is crucial for students as they navigate how to connect and work with others. Don't sweat it if your child gets into an argument with a peer or is involved in a situation that you are embarrassed about! Children are learning how to handle uncomfortable feelings, refuse peer pressure, and become kind and compassionate people. This takes practice & there is no better place for them to get that practice than school! One way to develop these skills is by playing games that require teamwork or competitiveness and using them as teachable moments.
Here are some recommended resources for you & your child: Books on Video Clark The Shark Enemy Pie Handouts Friendship Task Cards Friendship Ingredients Websites: Class Dojo Big Ideas on Respect & Empathy Social Thinking Videos: Daniel Tiger & Empathy Daniel Tiger & Sharing |