Family Newsletter
October 2020
Upcoming Family Webinars
Fall Family Fun Webinar ~ October 8th from 2pm-2:30pm
Feeling overwhelmed with the restrictions put in place during the coronavirus pandemic? Are you looking for different activities and games for your children? Join CASY's Family Engagement Specialists in October as we discuss fun fall activities available to you at home or in a socially distanced environment as well as the developmental benefits of play.
Strengthening Families Protective Factors ~ October 29th from 1pm-2pm
Strengthening Families Protective Factors are the evidence-based conditions within a family that protect against child abuse and neglect and support an environment where children can develop and thrive. If you think of a time when your family faced a challenge, and how you came through that, one if not more Protective Factors were likely at play. If we can be intentional about building our Protective Factors, we can keep our children safe and our families strong.
Interested in learning more? Join CASY's Family Engagement Specialists as we welcome Ashley Beeler from Ireland Home Based Services for a special one hour family webinar on Protective Factors.
Infant/Toddler Safety Webinar ~ November 12th from 2pm-2:30pm
Calling all families, both new and experienced: Join CASY’s Family Engagement Specialists as we provide tips and resources on infant/toddler safety practices during sleep, play, and household routines.
What's Too Scary??
Nightmares and Night Terrors in Preschoolers
Not Naughty: 10 Ways Kids Appear to Be Acting Bad But Aren't
Many of kids' so-called "naughty" behaviors are developmental and human.
Click here for 10 ways kids may seem like they’re acting "naughty," but really aren’t. When we recognize kids' unwelcome behaviors as reactions to environmental conditions, developmental phases, or our own actions, it lets us respond proactively, and with much more compassion.
The Healing Powers of Play: Dealing with COVID-19 Trauma
Why can’t I go to school? Why can’t I play with my friends? Why are you (parents) home all day long? Why does the teacher keep telling me what to do on the computer? Why do I have to wear this mask and wash my hands all the time? Why can’t we visit Grandma? Why did Grandpa die? Why can’t I sleep with you? Are you going to die, too?
Children don’t understand what is happening in this crazy Covid-19 world nor why their once safe, predictable life is suddenly upturned.
Consequently, children will naturally react to this uncertainty and abrupt change in their lives and routines. It is no surprise that the Covid-19 pandemic is causing trauma for some children, if not all children, in one way or another. Children simply do not understand why they feel the way they do. Read more here.
How Is the Flu Different From COVID-19?
Both the flu (influenza) and COVID-19 are contagious and will be spreading this fall and winter. They have similar symptoms, so it can be hard to tell them apart.
Fortunately, we have a vaccine to help prevent the flu. Make sure your child gets a flu shot, ideally by the end of October or sooner. This is more important than ever this flu season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to read more.
Promoting Physical Activity as a Way of Life
As a parent, you need to encourage healthy habits—including exercise—in your youngsters. Physical activity should become as routine a part of their lives as eating and sleeping.
Reassure them that sports such as cycling (always with a helmet), swimming, basketball, jogging, walking briskly, cross country skiing, dancing, aerobics, and soccer, played regularly, are not only fun but can promote health. Some sports, like baseball, that require only sporadic activity are beneficial in a number of ways, but they do not promote fitness. Physical activity can be healthful, click here to read more.
Choosing Optimism: Boosting Resilience in a Time of Crisis
In these challenging and stressful times, choosing to face the unknowns with an optimistic outlook is essential. However, this is easier said than done.
“Optimism is the expectation that good things will happen—to you, to others, and the world. It is not, however, a Pollyannaish belief that life is all rainbows, unicorns, and heart emoji,” write Laura J. Colker and Derry Koralek.
“Realistic optimism is about the ability to acknowledge problems and still maintain a positive outlook. It is the backbone of resilience. Choosing to be optimistic can be an invaluable tool during this period when resilience is what we need and crave.
“Even if you weren’t born that way (only 25% of us are), you can learn to be optimistic.” Read more.
Help Your Preschooler Gain Self-Control
10 Halloween Activities for Kids
Play & learning Halloween activities for the spookiest time of the year.
Halloween is here! And for many kids, trick-or-treating is a yearly tradition, along with dressing up and carving pumpkins. But sometimes the weather can keep us inside, even on October 31. Because of bad weather, unforeseen circumstances, living far away from others or too few neighbors participating, many families opt to stay in. If you are feeling the spooky holiday spirit but also want to stay inside, you can still celebrate. Kids can have a blast without spending a lot of money and learn big lessons too!
We double dare you to try any or all of these spooky ideas for kids.
Shadow Portraits
Some sunshine, pavement, and sidewalk chalk are all you need for this simple activity incorporating both art and science (plus a lot of fun).
Find a suitable space of pavement in full sun. Have one child pose, as still as possible, while a partner carefully traces around his shadow. Once the outlines are done, color or decorate in any creative way.
Creating shadow portraits at different times of day will provide an interesting discussion about how shadows work—morning people will be much taller than noon people! Click here for more.
The Great Outdoors: Books about exploring the world
Click here to discover 20 great books about nature, traveling and being outside recommended by the Brighter Readers Book Crew!
Check with your local law enforcement office to find a drop-off location near you!
Stay Connected
Email: admin@casyonline.org
Website: www.casyonline.org
Location: 1101 South 13th Street, Terre Haute, IN, USA
Phone: 800-886-3952
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CASY.Inc
Twitter: @CASYTerreHaute