A Note From the Goshen Elementary Counselors
Mrs. Nevills & Mrs. Snow
Dear Goshen Families: We are aware that this is a stressful and unusual time for both children and adults! We are sharing the information below to help support you and your children’s mental health needs, which are just as important as physical health needs! We’ve included 6 pages below. :) We ARE still working, and ARE available via email, so please reach out to us if you need support for your children. We will be posting additional daily tips, activities, and communication on our Facebook page named “Goshen Elementary School Counselors”. If you have Facebook, please join us!
K-2nd-4th: nichole.snow@oldham.kyschools.us
1st-3rd-5th: melinda.nevills@oldham.kyschools.us
Other Important Resources | Contact Information |
Local Crisis and Information Hotline | 502-589-8070 |
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline | 1-800-273-8255 |
Crisis Text Line | 741-741 (Text the word HOME) |
Let’s start with some tips on these 2-3 weeks home with your children…..
Stay Calm
- Practice calming activities
- Listen to calming music
- Journal
- Play games as a family
- Encourage humor
- Accept that arguments may occur
- Maintain a positive attitude
- Try to resolve issues quickly
- Distraction!
- Remember you don’t have to spend every minute together
Stay Connected
- Facetime
- Skype
- Phone Conversations- call and text
Stay Vigilant
- Monitor your students online activities
- Encourage online use in shared space at home rather than in their room
- Monitor Television Viewing
Stay Healthy
- Take care of yourself and your family
- Have healthy discussions about worries
- Offer reassurance
- Cook meals at home
- Continue being active - take a walk, play outdoors, exercise in any way!
Talk
- Let their questions be your guide
- Only answer what they are asking
- Don’t avoid the pertinent information
- Watch for clues that they want to talk
- Promote facts without stress
- “Adults are working to address this concern”
- Keep discussions age appropriate (referenced from National Association of School Psychologists) https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/health-crisis-resources/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-(coronavirus)-a-parent-resource
- Early elementary school children need brief, simple information that should balance COVID-19 facts with appropriate reassurances that their schools and homes are safe and that adults are there to help keep them healthy and to take care of them if they do get sick. Give simple examples of the steps people take every day to stop germs and stay healthy, such as washing hands. Use language such as “adults are working hard to keep you safe.”
- Upper elementary and early middle school children will be more vocal in asking questions about whether they truly are safe and what will happen if COVID-19 comes to their school or community. They may need assistance separating reality from rumor and fantasy. Discuss efforts of school and community leaders to prevent germs from spreading.
- Upper middle school and high school students are able to discuss the issue in a more in-depth (adult-like) fashion and can be referred directly to appropriate sources of COVID-19 facts. Provide honest, accurate, and factual information about the current status of COVID-19. Having such knowledge can help them feel a sense of control.
Still not sure how to talk to your kids about Coronavirus? Here are some helpful options (including videos for kids to watch)!
Just for Kids: A Comic Exploring the New Coronavirus from NPR
Tips on Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus
More Tips on How to Talk to Your Kids from National Associate of School Psychologists
Animated Coronavirus video from BrainPop!
Kid Illustrated Video (good for younger kids)
Tweens or Teens Having Anxiety Over Coronavirus? Click here.
Need Some Help Keeping Your Kids Calm & Grounded? Check Out These Apps…..
- Settle Your Glitter by Momentous Institute (mindful breathing/calming)
- Stop, Breathe & Think Kids (calm & re-focus)
- Calm & Sleep by Stop Breathe & Think (calm & sleep)
- Breathing Bubbles by Momentous Institute (calming/great for anxiety & worry)
- Focus on the Go! By University of California (identifying feelings & calming tool
Don’t forget about their Social Emotional Learning! Print out the “menu” below! Even better, reward your child(ren) with a fun activity, game, play session, or treat if they do ALL of them in a single week! Send us an email if your child completes all of these in a single week, and we will make sure they get a goody from us!
