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Category: Uncategorized (Page 6 of 7)
Hi Everyone,
This week may have brought some anxious feelings to parents and children in our community. As a society, we continue to progress in our response to the Covid-19 pandemic. With this we are entering into a period where some areas of our society, including schools, start to re-open to the public in a limited fashion. In schools, questions abound about what the halls and classrooms might look like now and in September. There are lots of unknowns. It is natural that these unknowns might bring with them feelings of anxiousness. This is a natural response.
I am including some thoughts on this for everyone to ponder in the hopes that it might be helpful managing these unknowns and anxious feelings. First is a short video on this subject from renowned psychologist Angela Duckworth.
Second, I want to include some thoughts here on some strategies for kids, and adults, for dealing with uncertainty. As always, if you would like to make an appointment to discuss this or other mental health challenges, or to book a virtual session for your child please email me at scott.anderson@burnabyschools.ca
Hello everyone,
As many of you are aware schools will be reopening to students on a voluntary and part-time basis on June 1st. With the announcement comes many questions about what this might look like. This potential change has also probably brought a variety of different feelings to both children and parents. Feelings like anxiety, sadness, fear and excitement are natural and normal. I am including here some thoughts you might find helpful as you navigate these changes.
Start by checking in with yourself…
Bring awareness to your own worries and fears.
Change your own unhelpful thoughts to more helpful thoughts so that you can feel more confident about everything going well.
Our kids pick up on our energy so we need to calm ourselves first and foremost.
Feelings First
…and remember “Feelings First, Logics Last”. We want to listen to their feelings and validate them, not fix them.
Just listen and validate… “It sounds as though you’re feeling ______, _______ and _______. Can you tell me more about each of these feelings…”
Continue to let them know that their feelings are valid and you can understand that they’re feeling this way.
Logics Last
When they’re ready, remind them that it helps to look at the “evidence” so our negative thoughts don’t get carried away on us.
Go over the safety measures that are being put in place.
Go over the changes that will be very different. Schools can help in this regard and will be sending things that might be helpful.
(As parents can we expect some sadness too, especially once our kids go to school and realize how much has changed and how many restrictions are still necessary.)
*adapted from a presentation by Sharon Selby
Social Stories
Stories can be very powerful tools to help children process and understand feelings. I am attaching a social story Returning-To-School-During-COVID-19 written by a colleague in the district that might be of some use to parents who will be helping their children return to school this June. Change is difficult but reading stories can be great starting places for helpful conversations.
Hi everyone,
Sleep, diet, and exercise are often cited as the foundations of our mental health. You may have experienced that when you don’t sleep well or are hungry that it is harder to control your feelings or be at your best.
Exercise is important for our physical health, however, it is equally important for our mental health just like diet and sleep. This week I became aware of a FREE program offered by the YMCA. It is called YGym and it is a free healthy community program for young people and families across Canada! YGym is instructed by YMCA certified fitness instructors and features content based on YMCA Canada’s Health & Fitness Programs and Canada’s Physical Activity Guidelines. It is designed for children of varying ages and abilities and is a great way to get children (or the whole family) active. Check it out!
Hi everyone,
Some of you might be aware of Shelly Moore. She is an amazing local educator whose work, public speaking, and podcast are well know to educators locally and across Canada. Her work on the new curriculum, inclusion and working effectively with kids is helpful to not only educators but parents alike.
Here is one of her podcasts that many might find useful. It discusses how using visuals is helpful supporting not only kid’s learning, but adults as well! Explore other Five Moore Minutes on her youtube channel.
Hi Everyone,
This week Burnaby Family Life is offering a new webinar in their series. Registration for this webinar is located in the links located below. Also, previous recorded webinars are available as well!!!
What is EASE?
EASE is a collection of evidence-informed anxiety prevention and resilience-building resources for use with students in grades K-7. The resources use cognitive behavioural strategies to address the thoughts, feelings and behaviours associated with anxiety.
EASE was originally developed by the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) in collaboration with Anxiety Canada and B.C. Educators.
EASE at Home (for Parents and Caregivers)
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the EASE classroom activities were adapted for use at home by parents and caregivers to support children’s mental health and continuous learning.
These fun and practical strategies help guide parents and caregivers in managing their children’s anxiety and worries in the comfort of their home during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
EASE can be accessed through the link below:
Hi Everyone,
Another free webinar series that many people might find of interest is being offered by Burnaby Family Life. It is entitled “What to know about home learning: “Supporting your kids’ learning while keeping your sanity and preserving your relationship.” Please find the link for registration at http://www.bflgrowscommunity.org
Hello Everyone,
I am sharing a pretty special opportunity for those who may be interested. A free weekly webinar by Dr. Gordon Neufeld. Dr. Neufeld has accumulated more than 40 years of experience as a clinical psychologist with children and youth and those responsible for them. A foremost authority on child development, Dr. Neufeld continues to be an international speaker, a best-selling author (Hold On to Your Kids) and a leading interpreter of the developmental paradigm. Dr. Neufeld has a widespread reputation for making sense of complex problems and for opening doors for change. While formerly involved in university teaching and private practice, he has devoted the best part of the last two decades to creating courses for parents, teachers and helping professionals. Now he is offering a FREE weekly webinar for parents in this time of stress and change.
Here is the original presentation. Q &A panels will be held weekly (see links below)
The PARENTING IN A PANDEMIC Q&A PANEL will be available via livestream, FREE to the public on a weekly basis launching on Thursday, April 23rd, from 7-8 pm Pacific time.
Join Gordon Neufeld, Deborah MacNamara and Tamara Strijack as they address your questions from an attachment-based developmental approach.
How to Join the Livestream Q&A Meeting
Our livestream platform is a ZOOM webinar.
Follow these easy steps and you’re in!
1. Download the ZOOM Desktop Client or Mobile App (required).
2. Preregister for the webinar via this LINK (required).
Once registered, each attendee will receive an email with a unique join link.
To join the webinar on event day, click the unique join link. That’s it!
(Important – for security reasons, do not share the join link publicly.)
Attendees will not be on video or audio during the webinar, but will have access to a chat box.
How to Submit a Question for the Q&A Panel
If you have a question you’d like us to address during the Q&A Panel, you’re invited to send it ahead of time via email.
Please note: we cannot guarantee that all questions will be answered, and we will not be responding to questions personally via email.
Recordings of Previous Q&A Panels
Please visit our Resources Related to the Pandemic webpage HERE.
Hello!
During times of dramatic change or stress social emotional learning and practices become increasingly important. I have compiled a new page on this blog that has some online movement and mindfulness based practices that children and families can practice together! Have a look using the menu tab located above. Enjoy some of these fun and relaxing activities that you and your family can do together on a daily basis to help with these challenging times.
I am also attaching a family challenge that can help promote social emotional learning. Who in your family can complete their BINGO board first?? Will the first person to complete it get to choose a fun activity for the whole family?!?
