Category: Education

Books Reviews, Coronovirus 2020, Education, Parenting

The 5 Children’s Books To Read While in this Coronavirus Pandemic

Erin Sluka

Guess what? We just all became homeschool parents! What does this mean? What exactly do we do? This is a hard question and many of us are still waiting on resources and word from Teachers as they scramble to make sense of all of the learning effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

There are obvious steps we can take now that they are home for a while. Get them moving and keeping a ‘PE log’ is one thing we can start. Signing up for online learning portals and reading books or mini book reports for the older children.

Here is a list of the 5 children;’s books to read about this coronavirus pandemic.

Something Bad Happened: A Kid’s Guide to Coping With Events in the News – by Dawn Huebner

Provides comfort, support and action plans for children learning about troubling world events. Available on Amazon

How Are You Peeling? Foods with Moods by Saxton Freeymann

This is a book that asks all the right questions. And leaves you feeling great no matter what the answers are! Available on Amazon.

The Way I Feel by Janan Cain

The Way I Feel uses simple verses to help children connect the word and the emotion. Available on Amazon

What To Do When You’re Scared & Worried: A Guide for Kids by James Crist

This is a book kids can turn to when they need advice, reassurance, and ideas. Available on Amazon

Is a Worry Worrying You? by Ferida Wolff

This book addresses children’s worries with humor and imagination Available on Amazon

Coronovirus 2020, Education, Healthy Living, Parenting

Social & Emotional Learning Resources – Covid-19 Resources for Kids & Teens

Erin Sluka
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Resources - Covid-19 Resources for Kids
Photo Source: Brainpop.com

With school closures and stores a mess, perhaps the kids are getting a tad anxious or asking questions. I have a brilliant sister who is an Elementary School Counselor who has put together this amazing resource sheet below (Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Resources – Covid-19 Resources for Kids) for this epidemic as well as any other social issues that could arise with your child.

This download has mini lessons and book recommendations that you can share with your family while home from school and to add to their home studies.

Hopefully you will find it helpful! Keep scrolling for tips for teens too. The links are not clickable directly from the image below, so at the bottom is the download button. Click that and you will open up clickable links.

SEL-Resource-List

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Download created by: Katherine Epstein, School Counselor (Wa State)

What about the teens?

Global leader in Neurodiversity and CEO of The Miracle Project, Elaine Hall, works with neurodiverse teens, young and older adults provide tips and affirmations on how parents, coaches, colleagues, and friends to help calm the mind, ease emotional tensions and promote overall well being amongst those who lack the abilities to do so on their own. 

Below are her tips on How to Ease the Anxiety of Children Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic

  1. Breath 
    • Implementing a short but powerful breathing meditation helps calm our minds, focus our attention and operate from a place of peace and support for one another. Start by closing your eyes. Take a deep breath as if you are breathing in health and wellness from the Earth. Let this breath travel all the way up from the bottom of your feet up your spine to the top of your head, visualizing that you are filling up every muscle, organ, blood cells with radiant gold healing light.  
    • Then imagine a radiant white light from high above your head beaming into every muscle and cell of your body – keeping your body strong, healthy and vibrant.  Breathe deeply and exhale any fears and anxiety. Continue breathing in this healing white light for five long breaths. When you are ready, open your eyes and notice your health and well being.
    • Affirm: I am strong, healthy and glowing with energy
  2. Logic – Learn the Facts
    • Yes, COVID-19 is a bad virus and we need to protect ourselves from it but this will not last forever. It is important to not get caught up in the hysteria of the moment. There have been bad viruses and diseases in the past and yet we continue to combat them. And while the number of cases of COVID-19 continues to climb each day, so too do the number of people who have completely recovered from the virus. It’s important to know the facts and stay calm because anxiety can flood adrenaline into the body and weaken the immune system, making you more vulnerable to viral infections.
    • Affirm: This too shall pass
  3. You’re Not Alone
    • Know you’re not alone. Call, text, or facetime a friend when you’re feeling scared or alone. Discuss what you’re feeling out loud. Ask them what they do to feel calm and take those practices into consideration. Do something fun together to distract your mind from worries.
    • Affirm: I am understood and supported 
  4. Look outside & inside for what’s right in your world
    • Remind yourself what is good and calm in your life right now. Science has found that gratitude actually strengthens the immune system. Notice when the sun is shining, listen to the raindrops, doing something you enjoy, notice a positive feeling. Express gratitude for some of the things we most often take for granted. 
    • Affirm: My body is healthy, strong and vibrant. I am grateful for…. And list 5 new things you’re grateful for every day
  5. Stay Close to those you love
    • Although it’s important to distant yourself in public from others, it’s still okay and important to stay close with your family. Give your Mom, Dad, sibling a hug or cuddle your pet. Did you know that hugs actually strengthen the immune system? Hugs help stimulate the body’s production of white blood cells that fight off diseases. 
    • Affirm: I am loving and loved
Children's Books, Education

The Big Buna Bash Children’s Book Celebrates an Ethiopian Tradition

Erin Sluka

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The Big Buna Bash Children's Book

The Big Buna Bash Children’s Book celebrates an Ethiopian tradition as Almaz, a young Ethiopian girl is adjusting to her new school and classmates. She brings up the word ‘Buna’ in class and no one had heard that word before, she was laughed at and felt embarrassed until her family had a great idea!

Buna

Host a Buna Bash! This way the kids learn about the significance of coming together to chat over cups of coffee. The ceremony exposes readers of all ages to a culture different than their own and gives children of diverse backgrounds the courage to open themselves up to their peers.

This book is available on Amazon.

Education, Kids, Parenting

Let PJ Library’s Unique, Family-Friendly Ideas Enliven Your Purim Holiday

Erin Sluka

This year the Purim Holiday falls on March 9-10. The colors and festivities around Purim are so much fun and engaging for kids and PJ Library has tools and family-friendly ideas to make the holiday extra special.

On Purim, it’s customary to listen to the biblical Book of Esther (also known as the Megillah in Hebrew), put on comic productions of the story of Purim called purimspiels (Yiddish for “plays”), dress up in costumes as the famous characters from the story, bake (and eat!) hamantaschen, shake Purim groggers (noisemakers), give gift baskets (mishloach manot) to friends and do tzedakah and other good works to spread joy and help the needy.

PJ Library is here to help with all of that. If you have signed your child up (it’s free) to received mailers from PJ Library you should have the Purim set by now. In this celebration kit I got the book, Brave Girl and a Purim Box to make and decorate.

This Purim, PJ Library has created 18 great ideas sure to spur creativity and togetherness. Whether your children have never dressed for Purim before or baked a classic, delicious hamantaschen– or you’re just tired of the same old routine – check out these enjoyable activities! And, for more, families are welcome to visit PJ Library’s Purim Hub!

Families raising Jewish children may subscribe at PJ Library HERE, tapping in to a wealth of information, parenting resources and community events as well as free books.

Comment: I am proud to partner with PJ Library as a 2020 Ambassador. I am compensated lightly through this partnership and my words and comments are my own