Support & Resources 

Common Sense Media is a non profit organization whose goal is to help "all kids thrive in a world of media and technology."

They have created Wide Open School, a distance learning hub, with helpful resources for parents and educators, including:

• advice, tips, and how-tos for parents
• resource libraries for learning activities by subject
• professional development for educators
• student activities

You are likely in the same position as many families across the country - facing canceled travel plans with cabin fever beginning to set in. In these uncertain times, it is more important than ever to practice self-care and healthy habits. It is natural for children and adolescents to feel nervous about the unknown; they are looking to the adults in their lives to provide reassurance and stability. The best thing we can do for them is to give them a space to talk through their feelings and thoughts, while also providing direction for the journey ahead.

• Children thrive on routine and predictability and need this to feel safe, especially in challenging times. One of the most important things you can do is to create order, with some flexibility, in your days. You can start by setting up a schedule that includes regular wake-up, eating, learning, exercise and sleep times. It can be daunting to know where to start but there are a plethora of online resources and sample schedules geared towards making the most out of school closures while maintaining a sense of normalcy at home.

• It can be very difficult to exude a sense of calm to your child when you are struggling to cope with your own anxiety. One of the most important things you can do is to learn and utilize stress management techniques that can help you manage your feelings. Research has shown that people experience an increase in cortisol levels, which is directly related to stress, even when seeing a stranger express stress virtually - a phenomenon called ‘empathetic stress.’ This effect increases significantly if the person shown is an image of a loved one. Remember that as you learn to manage your own stress, you will be teaching your child how to cope with uncertainty and difficult situations as they face them in their own lives and in the future.
• One of the most challenging things for those who aren’t experiencing any sickness symptoms is to practice social distancing. In order to "flatten the curve" and slow the spread of COVID-19, it is essential that we minimize our contact with others outside of our home environments until this crisis passes. This is a time to teach children about altruism and how by acting collectively, we can decrease the number of people who become sick. Our mindset for how we approach this time matters. If we (and by default, our children), view this as a punishment, it will feel like one. However, if we shift our view that this time is a gift to slow down and do things that normally get postponed due to busy schedules, we can find that this is an opportunity to:
  • Learn new skills, play games, read, write and create.
  • Reconnect with family and friends via phone calls, snail mail, and video chats.
  • Tackle projects, get organized and clean.
  • Virtually visit museums from around the world and other kid-friendly field trips.
  • Get outside, explore nature and exercise as a family.

Remember that this too shall pass and someday life will return to normal. In the meantime, I hope that these suggestions are helpful as you prepare for a staycation this spring break. Our community is strong and we will get through this together.

– Dr. LaNaadrian Easterling, Director of Counseling

• Ask clarifying questions to get a better understanding of what your child is asking.
• Be developmentally appropriate. Don’t volunteer too much information, as this may be overwhelming. Instead, try to answer your child’s questions. Do your best to answer honestly and clearly, but do not give more information than is age-appropriate and/or necessary. Instead of tackling a conversation or a question in one conversation, you can always circle back if needed.
• Invite your child to ask questions. It is okay if you cannot answer everything; being available for your child is what matters.
• Don’t let your own anxiety take over. Parents can get worried about explaining everything rather than just answering the specific question that was posed.
• Avoid overly focusing on the subject. Gauge how much you talk about the topic depending on the age of the child. Young children may not need to know much.
• Share what you are doing to stay safe. An important way to reassure children is to emphasize the safety precautions that you are taking.
• Empower children and help them feel in control. Help them figure out what they can do to manage their emotions or change a situation.
• Avoid excessive blaming. When tensions run high, sometimes we try to blame someone or something. It is important to avoid stereotyping or negative comments about a specific group of people.
• Monitor television viewing and social media. Try to avoid watching or listening to information that may be upsetting when children are present.
• Stick to routine. Structured days with regular mealtimes and bedtimes are an essential part of keeping children happy and healthy.
• Reassure children they are loved, safe, and protected by you and others.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Official Coronavirus webpage
• DC Department of Health Official webpage
• World Health Organization Official Coronavirus webpage
• CDC Official Map of Confirmed US Cases
• Johns Hopkins CSSE Map of Global Cases
• The Washington Post’s Coronavirus Coverage

TALKING TO CHILDREN ABOUT COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
National Association of School Psychologists

TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS
Kids worry more when they're kept in the dark
Child Mind Institute (4-Minute Video)

HOW TO TALK TO CHILDREN ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS
Harvard Medical School

TALKING TO TEENS AND TWEENS ABOUT CORONAVIRUS
New York Times