Our children are growing in unprecedented times. We are experiencing times of upheaval, conflict, and trauma. First, remember to breathe and address your own upset and trauma from these situations. Acknowledge and address the feelings that are coming up for you. Remember that you cannot pour from an empty cup. Then, utilize some of these resources to help your little ones do the same. You are a light in this world, showing our little ones the way. You are so appreciated. We see you. We are with you.

Resources for Resilience

Trauma Resource Institute

Facing COVID-19 with Community Instead of Fear

Grounding Techniques

Resiliency Help Now: Activities

Conscious Discipline Tools and Activities – a wide variety of printable books, sheets, and stories for all ages from Conscious Discipline, a trauma informed Social-Emotional learning curriculum. They also have resources about Navigating Lockdowns and Crisis Events

Sesame Street in Communities has wide variety of resources for all ages. You will find videos, articles, and activities for dealing with and processing violence and crisis.

The Fred Rogers Institute offers articles for caregivers to read on how to offer support to little ones

Books

My Friend is Sad by Mo Willems

A cute book for Pre-K through 3rd graders about supporting a friend through emotional times

Where Happiness Begins by Eva Eland

A book for 3-7 year olds about finding happiness when it feels difficult

Breathing Makes it Better by Christopher Willard and Wendy O’Leary

For 2-6 year olds, this book walks children through breathing exercises to help through big emotions

Big Feelings By Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman

For 4-8 year olds, this book helps children navigate big and sometimes difficult feelings

Glad Monster, Sad Monster by Ed Emberly and Anne Miranda

For 3-6 year olds, this cute lift-the-flap book helps children to see big emotions in a different light

A Terrible Thing Happened by Margaret M. Holmes

For 5-9 year olds, this book introduces us to a squirrel who finds peace when he is able to talk to a friend about something hard that happened.

Brave Bart by Caroline H. Sheppard

In this story, a kitty who has been through a hard thing is helped to understand and work through the hard situation by a friend.

I am (Not) Scared by Anna Kang

For 2-6 year olds, this book helps talk to young children about fear

The I’m Not Scared Book by Todd Parr

For 1-6 year olds, this colorful and engaging book helps children talk about fear

Once I was Very Scared by Chandra Gosh Ippen

For 2-6 year olds, this book shares the story of a nervous squirrel talking to his friends about fear and discovering that everyone experiences fear!