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School Improvement

TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT THE COVID-19

 

Talking to Kids about COVID-19-Provides information and resources regarding how to explain the pandemic to children of all ages (birth-18) in ways that children are able to understand

 

UNICEF-Parent Tips for Supporting Teens during COVID-19

 

National Association of School Psychologists-Information for parents on how to talk to children about COVID-19

 

PBS-Tips for Talking to Young Children about COVID-19

 

Birth-3-Answering Young Children's Questions about COVID-19

 

NPR Comic for Kids that Teaches Them about COVID-19

 

COVIBOOK-Cute story for parents to read to young children about COVID-19

 

GENERAL MENTAL HEALTH INFORMATION

 

General mental health information-Resources for parents on depression, anxiety, eating disorders, suicide, AD/HD, hotlines, handouts

 

Mental Health Support in Michigan-Provides information on mental health supports available in Michigan and basic needs resources

 

Mental Health Information for Parents of Teens from Mental Health First Aid

 

Mental Health America-Depression, Anxiety, Bullying, Positive Self Image, Supporting Minority Youth with Mental Health Difficulties Information for Parents

 

Eating Disorder Resources for Parents of Students Struggling with Eating Disorders

 

SAMHSA-Substance Abuse Information, Mental Health Support, Suicide Prevention

 

Mental Health America-Provides parents with a lot of information regarding a broad range of mental health difficulties and supports for these concerns

 

Coping Skills for Kids-website that has strategies for parents to help kids cope with anxiety and various other mental health concerns-offers calming exercises/strategies and supports

 

MENTAL HEALTH HOTLINES AND HANDOUTS

Warmline-Peer Support MI Mental Health Hotline-Connects people living with persistent mental health conditions to certified peer support specialists. It’s available 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week at 888-PEER-753 (888-733-7753).

 

National Association of School Psychologists-Parent handout on supporting students with mental health difficulties

 

National Child Traumatic Stress Network-Parent/Caregiver handout on supporting children during COVID-19

 

NAMI-Parent handout with helpful information about suicide

 

National Association of School Psychologists-Handout for parents with information about suicide

 

POSITIVE BEHAVIOR STRATEGIES

 

POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORTS IN THE HOME SETTING-Positive behavior strategies for parents to use to improve completion of schoolwork, chores, and following directions at home

 

Behavior Support Help from Yale-Parent Cue Cards-quick tips/help with behavioral/emotional concerns

 

Resources for supporting children's emotional well being and social skills-Across all grade levels

 

Parent Toolkit-Academic and Mental Health Resources-Resources to help children with math, reading, financial literacy, and emotional support for students across all grade levels (K-12)

 

UNC-Support for Parents of Children with Autism Document for COVID-19-social stories, visual schedules, creating routines, mindfulness, self monitoring, task analysis

 

NEDSHOW-Responsibility Chart-Helpful handouts to assist children in being responsible and making positive choices at home

Champion Choices

Course of Action

 

REMOTE LEARNING STRATEGIES

 

Remote Learning Tips for Students with AD/HD-Short Article with Strategies to Increase Success for Students with AD/HD in online/remote learning

 

Parent Toolkit-Academic and Mental Health Resources-Resources to help children with math, reading, financial literacy, and emotional support for students across all grade levels (K-12)

 

8 Tips for Parents-Remote Learning-Quick article that outlines helpful strategies to use at home in supporting students in remote learning

 

SEESAW-Learning Tips for Families at Home-Handout with tips for success in remote learning

 

Michigan Alliance for Families-Information about supporting students with disabilities during  COVID-19 in remote learning, input regarding IEP meetings during COVID-19, and how IEPs will be followed during distance learning

 

FREE LEARNING RESOURCES

 

Free Learning Resources-Supports that families can use in their home that are free or low cost to support online learning

 

Khan Academy-Free online learning program

 

Splashlearn-Math games and resources for elementary school

 

IXL-Online resource for Math, English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science

 

Learning Library-Free Worksheets, Learning Booklets, and Games for Math, Reading, Social Studies

 

Readworks-Free Reading Comprehension and Literacy Website

 

PHYSICAL EXERCISE AND CALMING ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN

 

Physical Exercise and Yoga-Exercise videos and resources that families can use at home to keep children active and calm

 

Open Physical Education Active Home Module-Fun resource to get exercise at home and in nature during COVID-19 with children-interactive and interesting for all ages.  The tools and resources on the page are designed to help families enjoy physical activity together as a way to enhance physical and emotional health and well-being. 

 

Preschool and Elementary Student Exercise Resource-Google Document created by physical education teachers with a variety of videos that parents can do at home.  The videos include the following:  dancing, general fitness, jumping, bowling, outdoor exercise, fitness scavenger hunts, and yoga. 

 

Open Phys Ed Yoga and Mindfulness Module-Yoga and Mindfulness are exercises that can help calm children of all ages.  These exercises are particularly helpful during stressful times.

 

Go Noodle-Fun fitness and dance videos for kids, great way to make exercise fun at home get your children moving

 

Cosmic Kids Yoga-Youtube video channel with fun yoga exercises for preschool and elementary students

 

Mindfulness and Relaxation Exercises-Strategies that parents can use with children to help them calm down and focus on the present moment

 

Relaxation Video (grades 3-5) - Cartoon video explaining how to do the 4-7-8 Breathing Exercise.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

 

Relaxation Videos (grades 6-12)-Short videos to help older students learn basic relaxation exercises and strategies

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

 

Mindfulness Meditation (Grades 9-12) -Brief video to teach high school students basic strategies to relax and decrease worries

 

 Mindfulness Breathing (grades 6-12) -Helps teach students to learn how to breathe deeply to relax

 

PARENT SELF CARE

 

PARENT SELF CARE-Provides strategies and tips to help parents remain calm during stressful times and day to day situations

 

15 Self Care Strategies for Parents-Outlines simple and effective strategies for parents to remain calm and take care of themselves that can be used in one’s daily routine

 

General Self Care Tips for Parents-Provides quick strategies that can be added to one’s day as a parent to help remain calm and energized

 

Self Care APPS-Apps that are available for free/low cost to help remain calm and focused on remaining emotionally/physically healthy

 

PARENT TO PARENT SUPPORT

 

Parent to Parent Support-Help connect parents with other parents though support groups and other resources to help them with work with the school and provide general daily assistance

 

Michigan Alliance for Families-Provides information, resources, and support for families of children age (Birth-26) who receive (or may be in need of) special education services

 

Special Education Parent Advisory Committee Resources-Outlines information and resources for parents on special education services

 

7 Online Support Groups for Parents During the Pandemic-Provides a list of Online Support Groups that are available to support parents during COVID-19 with a wide variety of struggles (remote learning, caring for children, struggles of single parenting etc.)

 

BASIC NEEDS SUPPORT

 

BASIC NEEDS SUPPORT-Provide help to parents with food, employment, shelter, and various other basic needs

 

 Food Distribution Information-Help parents access free food distribution locations

 

MI Bridges-Help connect parents with food support, video provided on accessing food support in Michigan

 

United Way-Help support families with healthcare, childcare, utilities, and food, list of all United Way Agencies in the state

 

Homelessness Resources

 

Employment Support

 

MI Locator-Helps connect parents with job support and other resources

 

MI Works-Helps find jobs and develop employment skills

 

Childcare Assistance

 

Childcare and Basic Needs Support-Help connect parents with childcare support and basic needs resources (food, paying utilities, diapers, mental health support)

 

SUPPORT FOR DIVORCED PARENTS DURING COVID-19

 

FAQs about Custody and Parenting Time during the COVID-19 Outbreak in Michigan

 

Co-Parenting Through the Pandemic: Putting Your Children First

 

7 Guidelines for Divorced Parents During COVID-19

Short video with important realistic simple guidelines to consider during the pandemic.

 

10 Steps to Co-Parent During the COVID-19 Crisis

10 simple easy to implement tips to help co-parent during challenging time