Supporting and Teaching Emotion Regulation:
During times of crisis, children can have big feelings in response to the information they are seeing and hearing around them. Normalizing these feelings and assuring children that ALL feelings are okay will help to manage unexpected and challenging emotions. Focusing on ways to normalize reactions and find ways to de-stress and decompress as a family can be very helpful.
In addition, we encourage adults to find time each day to engage in some stress reduction and self-care. Flight attendants instruct passengers to put on their own oxygen mask before helping others in case of an emergency, and this metaphor is particularly true during stressful periods when you may not have access to your own routines and social supports. Finding time for conversation with other adults to process the ever-changing situation or to get some exercise or laughter is critical so that adults can be as creative and resourceful as possible to help the children who depend on them.
The following resources serve as examples of ways to utilize healthy coping methods and have some fun along the way!
Emergency At-Home Special Education Resources NEW!
Coalition to Support Grieving Students NEW!
Teaching Resources for Social and Emotional Skills NEW!
Parent Handbook on Childhood and Teen Depression NEW!
Mosaic Therapy: FREE Therapy Sessions for Children and Families
#COVIBOOK: Supporting and Reassuring Children Around the World
Trauma-Informed Yoga and Mindfulness for Students
Relaxation and Mindfulness from CARES