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Stress: 10 Articles

Learn the signs of anxiety and stress in children and teens

Build Your Library: COVID-19 Resources

Managing Anxiety September 16, 2020 11:51 am

Parents need all kinds of resources to raise their children. The COVID-19 pandemic has created an entirely new set of challenges for parents and kids alike. Disruption of schooling and work, isolation from friends and family, and necessary hygiene and social distancing measures have changed the way we live, play, gather, and travel. Magination Press created its Build Your Library Collection to provide resources to families as their children head back to school. These books address the specific challenges posed by the pandemic. If you need to help a young child understand the pandemic, read A Kid's Guide to Coronavirus by Rebecca Growe MSW, LCSW, and Julia Martin Burch PhD. This free picture book explains the virus, how it spreads, and what kids can do to help keep themselves and others safe. It also has a Note to Parents and Caregivers offering strategies to help children navigate anxiety they may feel about the pandemic. Download your free print copy, here, and here's the Kindle version. It's also available in Spanish and in Portuguese. Here's the Spanish Kindle version, too. The Portuguese Kindle version is on the way. Hear A Kid's Guide to Coronavirus read aloud. If your tween or teen is feeling the strain of distance learning, separation from friends and family, and cancellation of sports, arts, and other activities, Unstuck! 10 Things to Do to Stay Safe and Sane During the Pandemic by Bonnie Zucker, PsyD, can help. This activity book has journal prompts and activities designed to help older kids manage stress and anxiety, cultivate gratitude and creativity, and express their emotions. Download a free print copy here.  Here's the Kindle version. A Spanish version is in the works. Hear Unstuck! 10 Things to Do to Stay Safe and Sane During the Pandemic read aloud. If you or your child are working on building resilience, The Hugging Tree by Jill Neimark, is a wonderful choice. From March to May 2020, people around the world shared this beautiful picture book about a little tree growing in very harsh conditions because of its message of kindness, compassion, and resilience. Read Ms. Neimark's article about the internet read-aloud phenomenon. Hear The Hugging Tree read aloud.  Your child and your family may be experiencing new stresses and anxieties as a result of the pandemic. Magination Press has titles about stress, anxiety, and mindfulness that can help. Since mid-March, Magination Press Family has posted frequent articles about how to support your child in this challenging time, featuring appropriate books. Managing Sibling Conflict Fostering Resilience Fostering Mindfulness Writing and Doodling to Express Emotions Exploring Feelings with Mindfulness Building Life Skills During the Pandemic Explore Emotions and Relationships with The Find Out Files Increase Optimistic Thinking at Home or at School with Evidence-based Curriculum COVID-19 Self-Care: Get Moving Tips to Help Your Socially Anxious Child Stay Engaged During COVID-19 Kids Feeling Stressed? Help Them Learn Self-Care Skills To help you build your family library, through October 31, 2020, get 25% off your purchase and free shipping when

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Build Your Library: COVID-19 Resources 2020-09-16T11:51:18-04:00

Unstuck! 10 Things to Do to Stay Safe and Sane During the Pandemic

Managing Anxiety July 7, 2020 4:04 pm By Bonnie Zucker, PsyD
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The COVID-19 pandemic has turned the world upside-down. All the uncertainties and changes cause stress. Unstuck! is a workbook for tweens and teens to help them manage stress and anxiety, express emotions, and cultivate creativity and gratitude. Hear author Bonnie Zucker, PsyD, read Unstuck! aloud. Download your free copy of Unstuck!: 10 Things to Do to Stay Safe and Sane During the Pandemic here.

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Unstuck! 10 Things to Do to Stay Safe and Sane During the Pandemic 2020-07-07T16:41:56-04:00

Helping Children Find Their Light in Dark and Scary Times

Managing Anxiety May 7, 2020 10:00 am By Tanu Shree Singh, PhD
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Fear can be debilitating for children, especially when it arises from a situation such as parental illness or another major change that increases their vulnerability. The COVID-19 pandemic has created this situation for many families and children.  In her note to parents and caregivers, Ani’s Light author, Dr. Tanu Shree Singh provides guidance about supporting a child through difficult situations with empathy, caring, and honesty. Honesty matters. Our first instinct in a difficult situation might be to protect our child by keeping the truth from them or creating tall tales.Though we assume they won’t  understand, hiding the truth rarely helps. Children have a built-in lie detector, so it’s best not to lie to your child or hide basic information. Whatever the situation, share information in age-appropriate words. There are many books that deal with all sorts of difficult topics, including illness, loss, divorce, and more. These can be a great starting point for conversation. It is ok not to know the answers. Some questions have no clear answers, but don’t avoid them. It is okay to not know, and even better to address and accept the uncertainty together. As a parent, sometimes we overwhelm ourselves with the need to give factual answers. However, questions around death and uncertainty might have no clear answers. To accept that with your child is to take a step closer to healing. Help your child deal with their emotions. Acceptance of emotions is an important part of healing and promoting resilience. Let your child know all emotions are acceptable. It is also essential for them to know that bad things can happen in life and it is no one’s fault. Learning to cope and manage our feelings is what makes the difference.  Routines are important. Routines give a sense of security to a child. A consistent schedule and familiar faces create a sense of normalcy. Stick to regular patterns, from bedtime to school routines, as much as you can. Everyone is creating new daily routines during the pandemic. Do what works for your family. Plan for fun. Children need a break. Sometimes we get so caught up in managing problems that we forget that children need doses of fun. Try to schedule some fun time together. Seek help. Life gets overwhelming when illness or huge changes are taking up all our time and energy. In such situations, such as those created by the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to be vigilant and seek professional help as needed.  Ultimately, the heart and mind have an enormous capacity to heal. All we can do as a parent is to be there and help our children learn to see love, grow resilience, and be reassured that letting the light in can help them through dark times. To find a therapist near you, use the APA Psychologist Locator.

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Helping Children Find Their Light in Dark and Scary Times 2023-01-17T13:09:36-05:00