A note from Pastor Kaji Re: Children & Coronavirus – PLEASE SHARE Dear Parents: I’ve been thinking about you this past week, as conditions continue to change and we adjust everything about how w…

A note from Pastor Kaji Re: Children & Coronavirus – PLEASE SHARE

Dear Parents:

I’ve been thinking about you this past week, as conditions continue to change and we adjust everything about how we care for our children.

For me, it’s been important to figure out the new [and still changing] normal. My child thrives on routine, and we are trying to think of the things that she can count on throughout her day and week.

I do hope that you will add the 20-30 minute Sunday school lessons and activities that Rev. Francesca will be offering Sundays at 11 am EDT to your children’s routines, as well.

Here is the link to the zoom conference, which will be live each week until we’re back in the building together: https://zoom.us/j/398586566

Our children are craving connection (as are we!) and having a chance to see each other’s faces and continue to learn and grow in faith together is a blessing, indeed.

If you are unfamiliar with the Zoom platform, I suggest that you download the app now by visiting zoom.us or in the App Store for your device. The platform is free for you to use, but takes a few moments to set up your account, etc. It’s important to do this so that the children will see the video for that face-to-face interaction they crave.

I encourage you to continue to share stories about God’s love for them, God’s protection. If you don’t already, incorporate prayers into your time together – especially around dinnertime and bedtime, if possible. It’s a gift for all of us, children and adults, to talk to God about what we’re grateful for and what challenges us. It can comfort a child to know that when they call on God, God has promised to listen. At bedtime, we always say this prayer (adapted from what I learned as a kid, myself):

Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
For all the good while I’m awake
I pray that God my thanks will take.

God bless: [and then we list the names of people in our family, friends, people on our prayer list, more general groups of people, and then she thinks of a special group of people she wants to pray for that day.]

We follow this with the Lord’s Prayer, which is a great opportunity for memorization.

Routines like this relax our kids and give some framing for the complex issues their amazing minds are processing.

In closing, I wanted to share a few resources sent by the psychologists at my child’s school (which goes through 8th grade). I quote them, below.

Developmentally-appropriate information for kids:
In speaking with children, please provide information in a developmentally appropriate way:
· Early Childhood: Focus on measures that are keeping people safe, frame changes to routine as special adventures or plans
· Lower/Elementary School: Focus on measures that are keeping people safe, remind children of the importance of handwashing and things they can do to stay safe and help others
· Older Elementary School: Focus on measures they can do to keep themselves and others safe, and be open to engaging in age-appropriate dialogue regarding the facts, review information/media together
· Middle School: Since students will likely seek information on their own, have conversations to balance facts with context, emphasize safety measures.

Activities for Kids:

GoNoodle – using FLOW for calming https://family.gonoodle.com/

Deep Breathing https://www.calm.com/breathe

Headspace app (requires subscription) https://www.headspace.com/headspace-meditation-app

Middle school – “Take a chill” app https://www.stressedteens.com/take-a-chill

How to talk about Coronavirus with kids:

Childmind.org – Talking to kids about the coronavirus https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/

Understood.org – How to talk about coronavirus with kids https://tinyurl.com/qod97wf

NYTimes.org – How to talk to kids about coronavirus https://tinyurl.com/rklqqkz

A curious guide for courageous kids in Italian and English (suitable for older elementary or middle school students) https://tinyurl.com/sag4k4c

Parent Resources:

NYTimes parenting guide https://parenting.nytimes.com/preschooler/coronavirus-schools-lessons

Understood.org https://tinyurl.com/ujf34z5

NASP- Coronavirus resources | NASP https://tinyurl.com/ve4tpnw

– Pastor Kaji