Dear Parents:
You are heroes! Truly. In one month you have taken on so many additional full-time roles: classroom/preschool teacher, counselor, coach, zoom conference coordinator, lunch lady, and _____________ (fill in the blank). The current situation has taken the concept of “multi-tasking” to a whole new level.
Below I have compiled a handful of resources for parenting during the Age of Coronavirus. I hope that some of them will be helpful to you and your loved ones!
Warm regards,
Danielle Michaelis Castillo
Talking with kids about Coronavirus:
Coronavirus: A Book for Children a book just published by Nosy Crow, a British children’s publisher, available as a free download; to help explain the virus to children
CDC Guide for Talking with Children
NYTimes article lists additional free picture book resources (different age groups) for talking with kids about the virus
For when you need a homeschooling break – sit side by side with your school aged child(ren) and connect the them to Audible via headphones. A lovely narrator will read them a story while you have some time to join a mindfulness practice via UCSD’s Center for Mindfulness.
Audible Free Audio Books for Kids (infant through teens ). Free until schools re-open; includes Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Book 1 read by actor Stephen Fry – this listen is truly a magical and theatrical experience
UCSD Center for Mindfulness is offering free live and recorded mindfulness practices and resources (for adults)
Reading for parents working from home:
8 Tips for Working From Home With Kids During COVID-19 (Yale Medicine)
The Reasons Zoom Calls Drain Your Energy (and what to do about it)
Feeling discouraged? Be gentle with yourself and listen to something inspirational:
How to Go Easy On Yourself in a Pandemic from the Ten Percent Happier Podcast (talk w/ Kristen Neff, Ph.D whose research focuses on self-compassion)
Brene Brown Ted Talk (researcher and author Brene Brown’s 2010 Ted Talk is so relevant to our situation in this moment: vulnerability, courage, and belonging versus “not good enough” self-talk)
Managing relationship conflict:
Conflict and Connecting in Crisis from the Gottman Institute
NY Times article on communicating and managing conflict (adults)
Other free Resources/Activities:
Raddish Kids (hands-on) – incorporate math, science, and language arts through cooking. This website currently offers an array of recipes that are fun to make, tasty, and build kids’ self-confidence during uncertain times.
NatGEO@ Home (on-line) – National Geographic’s website offers fun activities and educational games for families. Whether you have 5 minutes or 30 minutes, this website can offer a great way to connect. Activities update daily.