The Consortium for Resilient Young Children (CRYC) launched a new virtual program for early childhood professionals and families as they balance all the new transitions and stresses from the COVID-19 pandemic. Focusing on children birth to age 5, CRYC has traditionally offered coaching and consultation services to child care programs. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic- CRYC is expanding access to their programming.
Bouncing Forward is a new set of resources and programming that is flexible and virtual. Bouncing Forward provides opportunities for professionals and parents to gain some practical guidance on lessening the impact of stress and adversity being experienced by so many during this pandemic. For more information or to register for Bouncing Forward events email mlindner@costars.org. Joining Forces is pleased to collaborate with CRYC on this exciting effort!
This guide is intended to help professionals engage parents and caregivers in supportive conversations that assess risks and needs, with the ultimate goal of supporting family wellness. Establishing rapport and using the tips outlined on the guide will help build trust, even if the conversation must happen virtually. It may take multiple conversations for parents or caregivers to feel safe enough to share their concerns or ask for help. Across our region, providers have been using these strategies to regularly engage families.
If you have questions about the guide or would like additional training in motivational interviewing basics, please contact the Joining Forces for Children training team at alison.savage@cchmc.org.
The Joining Forces for Children Early Childhood Channel “Messages of Hope” work group created 5 tip sheets for building resilience with children. These tip sheets outline easy, every day actions that help children build resiliency and develop strong, stable relationships.
- Multiple languages: These tip sheets are available in English, Spanish, and French.
- Children’s books list: A popular tool for parent engagement, tip sheets can be paired with similarly themed children’s books. We’ve seen them used at story time, shared with families at home visits, and even distributed at the Cincinnati Children’s emergency departments! Our local librarians helps us compile a list of the books that align with the theme of each tip sheet
- QR code for distribution: Finally, we’ve also created a flyer with a QR code, in case you want a single way to distribute all tip sheets to parents at engagement events.
Researchers have found that when a person observes the experience of another person, the same areas of the brain light up as the person having the experience. Simply put, mirror neurons are linked to our ability to connect with other’s experiences and develop empathy. This resource lists 5 ways parents and caregivers can help a child deescalate by using a “mirror” technique called co-regulating.
Resilience is the ability to grow and learn from overwhelming, challenging situations- whether it’s maintaining hopefulness in the face of COVID-19 or daily parenting challenges and stresses, or BOTH. This ability is not something you either have or you don’t, it’s learned through our experiences and those around us. This resource page outlines 5 ways parents and caregivers can intentionally focus on building internal resilience!
Feeling connected to people can be a big motivator to keep going, especially when times are
hard. Our circles of support – whether it be family, friends, coworkers, teammates, church
members, or others – help us to manage stress and feel less alone. This tip sheet explores WHY social connections are a key component to maintaining resiliency for you and your family!
Whether it is COVID-19 or some other stressful situation, behaviors you see on the outside are
only the “tip of the iceberg”. The feelings underneath can be overwhelming, especially for adolescents and teens. This tip sheet helps teens explore what’s “below the surface” when they’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed and alone.
