Never before have we, as parents, been challenged in this way. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us into unchartered parenting territory. MI Parent Edge recognizes that we are all being challenged right now to utilize every tool we have in our parenting toolboxes. We will to continue to provide content and programs that support our students, parents, staff and community. Here are a variety of articles, videos and resources to help us through this unchartered territory!
Note: The titles below provide links to external sources. Some websites or publications may require a paid subscription to access the article.
Preschool-1st grade:
Nurturing your Young Child’s Development during the Pandemic
WATCH
Resources:
- Behavioral Health Toolbox for Families – WA Department of Health
- MIYFS Intake Line for counseling services – (206) 275-7657
- MIYFS School-Based Counselors – for children K-12
- MIYFS Incredible Years Attentive Parenting Feb 3-March 24, 202, 8:30PM; email Rachel.Montgomery@mercergov.gov for more information
Additional resources provided by panelist Melissa Benaroya, Child Proof Parenting
- Tips for Managing Screen Time
- Device Use Contract for Families
- Pandemic Parenting
- My Child is Out of Control!
- Your Self-Care: A Win-Win for the Whole Family
- Understanding and Solutions to Sassy Bossy Back Talk
- Five Effective Ways to Response to Tantrums, Meltdowns and Fits
- Free KEEP CALM Parenting Course
Elementary Students:
A Conversation about our Kids’ Mental Health
WATCH
Resources:
- Behavioral Health Toolbox for Families – Washington State Department of Health
- HealthyChildren.org – American Academy of Pediatrics
- Good Growing newsletter – Seattle Children’s Hospital
- MIYFS School-Based Counselors contact information
Middle and High School Students:
Supporting our Tweens and Teens through the Challenges of Social Isolation
WATCH
Resources:
- Presentation Slides including resources & link
- Behavioral Health Toolbox for Families – Washington State Department of Health
- Youth Suicide Prevention for Parents: What to Know. What to Do. You Can Help. – Training Video offered by UW Forefront
- DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) in Schools – UW
DBT Steps is specifically designed to help adolescents develop coping strategies and make better decisions, especially while in emotional distress. Great resources for parents and educators! - MIYFS School-Based Counselors contact information
REMOTE LEARNING
- Distance Learning Playbook for Parents – Cultures of Dignity
- How to Make Remote Learning Work for your Children – Wired Magazine interview with Devorah Heitner, author of Screenwise, and Sal Khan, Khan Academy (Download Tips for Surviving Remote School)
- A parents’ survival guide as kids head back to school at home – Seattle Times
- Tips for creating a good learning environment at home as another online school year looms – Seattle Times
- Class Disrupted: How to Strengthen Teaching and Learning in the Wake of COVID-19 – Podcast Series
- Finding New Possibilities in a Pandemic – Podcast Series
- Creating Healthy Home Routines for Kids – PBS
- Tips for Homeschooling During Coronavirus – NPR (podcast start at 1:25)
- Homeschool Plan that’s Realistic not Sadistic – Ned Johnson, Washington Post
- 10 Mistakes Students Make with Online Learning – Creating Positive Futures
- Remote Learning/Helping Kids with ADHD or Learning Challenges – ShareMyLesson.com
AGES & STAGES
All Ages
- Executive Function Skills Activity Guide, Infancy to Adolescence – Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University
- Your Kid’s Gonna Be Okay: Building the Executive Function Skills Your Child Needs in the Age of Attention, and more – Video Tips with author, Michael Delman.
Preschool & Elementary
- Expert advice for sheltering in place with a tyrannical toddler. – Washington Post
- Sole Survival: Raising an Only Child in Quarantine – ParentMap
- Why Kids Regress During Times of Stress – Red Tricycle
- Resilience Is The Most Powerful Skill Kids Can Develop Right Now – Huffington Post
- Talking to Younger Kids About Corona Virus – Child Mind Institute
- How Germs Spread – Mark Robersons
Tweens & Teens
- Why is the Pandemic so Hard on Young People? – Greater Good Science Center
- Coronavirus Anxiety Is Seriously Affecting Teens. Here’s How To Help. – MSN
- Needing Attention and Crying for Help on Social Media – Screenagers
- Some Teenagers Are Creating New Rituals in the Pandemic – New York Times
- Webinar Recording: Supporting Your Quaranteen: Raising Happy, Healthy Kids in the New Normal – Dr. Christine Carter for Parent Map
Hear what it looks like to support teens through this crisis, including: why it’s so hard for teens to shelter in place; how to notice and respond to how kids are responding emotionally during this time at home; how to support teens as they grieve their losses (no matter how big or small). - Webinar Recording: Teens in Lockdown – New York Times
Psychologist Lisa Damour joined the Well founder, Tara Parker-Pope, to talk about how the lockdown is affecting teenagers. Both parents and teenagers were invited to submit questions, and they touched on a range of topics — depression, sleep, marijuana use, anxiety about going back to school, being a transgender kid in a transphobic family, and more. - Talking to Teens about Corona Virus – Harvard Medical School
- How to Help Teens Shelter in Place – UC Berkley Greater Good Science Center
- Navigating COVID-19 with Young Adult Offspring – Julie Lythcott- Haimes
- The Agony of Social Distancing for Adolescents – GrownandFlown.com
Graduating Seniors
- Don’t Tell Seniors They Shouldn’t Be Sad – Grown & Flown
- Class of 2020, Your Community Showed Up for You In a George Bailey Moment – Grown and Flown
- To Go or Not To Go: That is the Question – How to talk about starting college amid COVID-19 – Julie Lythcott-Haims
PARENTS JUGGLING IT ALL
- This isn’t the parenting Olympics, and when you realize that, you win. – Washington Post
- ‘It Was Just Too Much’: How Remote Learning Is Breaking Parents. – New York Times
- Expert Tips for Managing Family Conflict During Quarantine – Parent Map
- Webinar Recording: Parenting Lessons from the Pandemic – Challenge Success
- COVID-19 Parenting Tips – Preparedforsuccess.org
We didn’t ask for this, but now that it’s here, we need to make it work. School closures, social distancing, and self-isolation are stressful, but we can use this time to focus on what matters most to our families. We’ve got tips and tools to help. Let’s stay prepared.
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL WELLBEING
- Seven Ways to Cope with Uncertainty – Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkley
- Advice for Building Resilience in Kids – American Psychological Association
- A list of Age Appropriate Movies to watch as a Family that Focus on Perseverance – Common Sense Media
- How Can I Stay Positive for My Kids When I’m So Overwhelmed? – Greater Good Science Center
- 5 ways to teach our children empathy in these challenging times – Washington Post
- How to Manage COVID-19 Anxiety – Dr. Laura Kastner, ParentMap
- How to Stop Feeling So Helpless During Quarantine – Greater Good Science Center
- Countering COVID-19 Stigma and Racism – National Association of School Psychologists
- Supporting Students through Coronavirus – Teaching Tolerance
- Supporting Mental Wellness and Family Life During COVID-19 – Seattle Children’s
- Webinar Recording: Emotional Health in a Pandemic: Tips for Parents & Teachers – Maureen Healy
- Feeling Anxious? Talking about it Skillfully with your Kids and Teens – ScreenagersMovie.com
- Handwashing for Mental Health – Letter from MIYFS School Counselors
- Outbreaks can be Stressful – CDC.gov
- What to Focus on When Things Feel Out of Control – Creating Positive Futures
- Comfort through Music and a Lesson for Kids from Yo Yo Ma – ShareMyLesson.com
SCREENS, SCREENS & MORE SCREENS
- Our screen-time rules don’t work in this new world. And maybe that’s okay. – Washington Post
- My first-grader has been thrust into a virtual social life. But is he ready? – Washington Post
- Don’t despair if your child is glued to a screen, it may be keeping them sane. – The Guardian
- 5 Major Screen Time Challenges and How to Solve Them – Creating Positive Futures
- Should I Feel Guilty about all the Screen Time My Kid is Getting Right Now? – Common Sense Media
- Tips for Managing Technology – Jo Langford, BeHeroes.net
- Webinar Recording: Parenting in a Pandemic. So. Many. Screens. – Dr. Devorah Heitner
Get support on how to mentor kids on their tech use in this uniquely challenging scenario, including: how to set up routines for distance learning; what the “screen time” rules should be during this unusual time; how to help kids deal with anxiety; how adults can model healthy habits and boundaries while working from home with children around.
SILVER LININGS
- A humble opinion on a post-pandemic world. – Kelly Corrigan, PBS NewsHour
- Why some kids are happier right now, and other unexpected effects of quarantine. – CNN
PLANNING FOR SUMMER AT HOME
- Wrap up the School Year – As you wind down the school year, take note of what you have learned about your child’s learning style, challenges and motivators so that you can share the information with your child’s teacher in the fall. Prepared.org provides a “Parent-to-Teacher Letter” template to help you note what you have learned. As parents, our new perspective into our children as learners is an open door to a partnership with teachers moving forward
- Should I let my kid be bored? – Prepared for Success
- Summer Ideas for Families During Covid-19 – Challenge Success
- Webinar Recording: Best Summer Ever – Elizabeth Stitt, Joyful Parenting Coach
- Webinar Recording: Helping our kids manage summer disappointments – Tina Bryson
- Webinar Recording: Uncharted Territory: Strategies for Coping with Structure-free Summer During the Pandemic – Dr. Christine Carter
Disclaimer: MI Parent Edge is not in any way affiliated with any of the above-listed services, businesses, or blogs. If you would like to suggest a resource for our consideration, please email us at miparentedge@gmail.com