05/21/2020
Helping Children Thrive in Difficult Times - posted on behalf of Cochran's Dr. Beasley:
What helps children survive and thrive despite difficult experiences? Diana Divecha’s article offers some great information based on researchers’ work with children over the past onehundred years. Here is a brief summary featuring the specific things that help children thrivedespite war, natural and manmade disasters, and famine.
Limit Exposure
- Limit young children’s exposure to media and detailed conversations about the epidemicso you can control the message
- Stay action-oriented to help manage overwhelming emotions
- Children can be active by writing a letter or drawing for older relatives and neighbors. Connecting socially despite quarantine and helps children and adults.
- I’d also add that active play also helps manage overwhelming emotions. Outdoorplay when it’s safe to do so, but a dance party works if you’re stuck inside.
Loving Caregivers
- Caring adults give children a safety net that cushions them from difficult circumstances.
- Practical kindnesses and care can come from siblings, parents or other family members.
- Right now we’re all making sure children have basic needs met (food, shelter,medical care, rest). Sometimes all children need to feel safe and loved is a hug, but sometimes they might need to share their worries with you.
Calm Caregivers
- Your mood is contagious, so aim for calm.
- Take care of yourself by staying connected to other adults.
- Phone calls, texts and video calls help manage the stress of raising children, working inside and/or outside the home, and living under quarantine.
- Staying calm even as adults can be challenging during quarantine, too!
- Perfection as a parent isn’t possible!More from Divecha: “What matters more is yourflexibility to repair, regroup and try again. Apologies, forgiveness, and self-compassionare key. Remember the biggest lesson your children are learning from you is how tohandle themselves in a stressful situation.”
A Higher Calling
- Connection to something bigger than ourselves protects us during difficult times.
- Connection to cultural traditions, a belief system (spiritual & philosophical), and awe allshield us.
- When children are able to pitch in and contribute - in their families or their communities -they develop mastery, they feel valued, and their confidence grows.
- Here’s a tried-and-true tip from me-having an older sibling read with a youngerchild benefits both. The benefit is there even if they just turn the pages whiledescribing the pictures to a
younger child.
If you’d like more information, here’s the link. Source: Divecha, Diana (May 18, 2020). Will the pandemic have a lasting effect on my kids? Greater Good Magazine. Retrieved from
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/will_the_pandemic_have_a_lasting_impact_on_my_kids
