Karen, a counselor in LSSI’s Step-Up School-Based Counseling Program, has some great resources to help parents talk about the coronavirus with their kids.
One helpful resource is a dedicated page on Sesame Street’s website that offers videos for kids related to the pandemic featuring characters from the show. Characters model virtual playdates and other issues. Plus, the site offers handouts for parents with tips on talking to children about the virus, changes in routine, and managing anxiety.
“It’s been difficult to work with kids and transition to either virtual or phone sessions, but one unexpected benefit is how I’ve gotten to know and support the parents I work with on a whole new level,” said Karen. “In these unprecedented times, it’s been rewarding to provide parents with the support and tools they need to be there for their children. The Step-Up team has been so creative in finding ways to keep their kids and families engaged through phone or virtual sessions, and the team will continue to serve the families we work with as long as we can.”
Another helpful resource Karen shares with parents is “The Yucky Bug” video, written by Julia Cook, an award-winning children’s author, counselor, and parenting expert who created this resource specifically to help children cope with and better understand the coronavirus.
We salute Karen and her fellow counselors in the Step-Up School-Based Counseling Program, who continue to support children and their parents in creative ways as they navigate uncertainty and a new reality.
