{"id":17611,"date":"2020-04-24T15:40:24","date_gmt":"2020-04-24T19:40:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.successacademies.org\/?post_type=education_blog&p=17611"},"modified":"2023-04-26T03:34:02","modified_gmt":"2023-04-26T03:34:02","slug":"3-tips-to-help-your-scholar-manage-worries-and-stress-during-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"education_blog","link":"https:\/\/www.successacademies.org\/education-blog\/3-tips-to-help-your-scholar-manage-worries-and-stress-during-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Tips to Help Your Scholar Manage Worries and Stress During COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"

The circumstances brought on by COVID-19 have been devastating. Some may have lost family members or close friends, while others might not have firsthand experience of this. Regardless, all our lives have changed dramatically, and scholars may be wondering how to handle big feelings and big questions. It is tough to balance caring for yourself and your kids, while also managing the responsibilities of home and work. We talked to three mental health professionals about how parents can help their kids build healthy habits and reduce worry, anxiety, and stress during this trying time. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"image3\"Talk to Your Kids<\/span> <\/b><\/p>\n

Kids are so much smarter than we give them credit for. They are sensitive and attuned to the world around them, so they\u2019ve picked up on the fact that it has changed dramatically. Rather than let kids drum up scary scenarios in their heads, we should sit down and empower them with tools and information. By opening the door to a conversation, you help them gain a sense of control over the situation, which automatically decreases anxiety. <\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to be direct and truthful with kids when having these conversations, no matter what age. We need to tell them that this is hard. That people are getting sick. That it\u2019s okay to be scared, and that, sometimes, we get scared too. It\u2019s not the fear itself that matters, but it\u2019s how we handle our fear that makes a difference. Instead of letting fear control our lives, we can find ways to cope and focus on the kind of people we want to be in this world \u2014 adaptable, generous, and hopeful.<\/p>\n

If you find yourself overwhelmed, there are resources that can help you get these conversations started. PBS Kids has a <\/span>great article<\/b><\/a> that can help guide you on how to be reassuring and realistic at the same time. The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) also recently<\/span> published some tips<\/b><\/a> on how to help kids talk about and cope with anxiety.  <\/span>\u2014 Rachel Holleran, Associate of Scholar Crisis Support and Prevention<\/b><\/p>\n

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Find a Coping Skill<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Anxiety. Sadness. Anger. Frustration. These are big emotions for kids, some of which they might be feeling during this crisis. When adults feel them, they might go on a walk to clear their head, call a friend for advice, or even take a nap. These are some examples of \u201ccoping skills\u201d \u2014 ways to calm down so that our emotions don\u2019t control our functioning \u2014 and half of the time, we use them without even thinking about it. Kids need them too, especially when confronted with emotions that they might not be used to handling. The trick? We have to practice them when we\u2019re calm in order for them to be effective when we\u2019re not. That\u2019s because not all coping skills are created equal: while I like to break out my dumbbells and exercise when I\u2019m anxious, someone else might like to draw, take a long bath, or finally make that red-velvet cookie recipe they\u2019ve been eager to try. I made this <\/span>30-Day Coping Skills Challenge<\/b><\/a> to help kids learn what coping skills work best for them, whether that\u2019s crafting, positive self-talk, building their own lego car (like one of my scholars!), or yes \u2014 even cleaning their bedroom! <\/span><\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t know how to get started, think simple: Just have fun with your kids. Ask them to pick an activity from the list, and do it with them. Since we\u2019re sheltering in place, we deliberately chose activities that you can do with your kids with limited space and resources. Find five to 10 minutes right before breakfast or during a lunch break to sing a song, do a dance video, or color. Then, discuss if they liked it, and why (or why not!). Older kids might prefer to do some of these on their own, like journal or call a friend. This is about kids getting to know themselves, and loving themselves all the more for it. Feelings aren\u2019t bad, and it\u2019s okay to feel frustration and sadness. But learning what works will give you and your scholar a roadmap to help handle these emotions in a healthy way.  <\/span>\u2014 Rachel Johnson, Lead Psychologist at SA Hudson Yards Elementary<\/b><\/p>\n

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Take Movement Breaks<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

We all move, and for the most part, we know why. We know we have to go to the fridge to get a glass of water, or stretch out our calves after a long walk. But we often forget that movement isn\u2019t just for utility, and that it\u2019s critical to our kids\u2019 physical and mental development. At a time when kids are moving even less than they were a few months ago, we have to intentionally build movement breaks into the day. Movement helps kids connect thought to action and gain incredible self-awareness. This translates to longer attention spans, increased focus and concentration, and boosted self-esteem \u2014 all of which reduce stress and anxiety. <\/span><\/p>\n

In particular, yoga is a great way to encourage movement and self-awareness. I highly recommend <\/span>Cosmic Kids Yoga<\/b><\/a>, a YouTube Channel filled with kid-friendly, themed yoga videos. The videos help kids move and think about their breathing in an interactive and imaginative way. Some of our teachers use these videos at the beginning of class or as a quick break, and kids have an absolute blast. Does your kid like <\/span>Frozen<\/span><\/i>? <\/span>Harry Potter<\/span><\/i>? <\/span>The Three Little Pigs<\/span><\/i>? There\u2019s a video for each! In them, kids can pretend to be a snowman, a wolf, or a tree \u2014 all while getting to know themselves and their bodies. If your child is in middle or high school, they might enjoy the section titled \u201cPlaylists for Older Kids!\u201d I have had families tell me that they put a video on for their kids while making breakfast, and it quickly became a morning ritual. Check out the first video on the home page, \u201cWelcome to Cosmic Kids!\u201d as a starting point, and from there, you can select a video that your scholar might like \u2014 and join your kids in on the fun! <\/span>\u2014Natasha Storonsky Becker<\/b>, Lead Psychologist at SA Washington Heights<\/b><\/p>\n

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Please  reach out to your scholar\u2019s teacher or senior leader if you feel her or she requires additional support during this time. Additionally, if you or someone you know is in crisis, or is experiencing an emergency, help is available; please utilize the resources below.<\/b><\/p>\n