Parent Power Newsletter
TIU 11 2nd Edition
Editor's Note
Welcome to the 2nd Edition of the TIU 11 Parent Power Newsletter! On April 9, 2020, Governor Wolf made the announcement that Pennsylvania schools will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. Although we (TIU 11 School Psychologists, School Social Workers/Counselors, and Mental Health Coordinator) assumed that this announcement would take place, it was still a bit of a shock to the system. This announcement brought permanency to these uncertain times and has forced us to plan ahead with a new reality of what our daily routines look like. Change, both negative and positive, can be stressful. We bring this newsletter to you this week in hopes that you find resources and encouragement as you read! We are in this together.
Tuscarora Intermediate Unit
Email: dshugarts@tiu11.org
Website: TIU11.org
Location: 2527 U.S. 522, McVeytown, PA, USA
Phone: 814-542-2501
Body-Mind Connection
Let’s begin with another mindfulness technique to help with the stress we may be experiencing. Mindfulness is the practice of being present in any particular moment of time. In our 1st Edition, we focused on the “5 Senses” activity for mindfulness. Being present simply means being fully aware of how we feel (physically and emotionally) in a moment. This week we wanted to share another quick exercise that you can practice that makes that important connection between our bodies and our minds, enriching our spirit and reducing anxiety.
This editions mindfulness technique is brought to us by Lake House Wellness in Huntingdon, PA. Click on "Mindfulness Matters" for their web page! Let’s get started!
1. Sit in a comfortable position and place the palms of your hands together making sure your fingers are touching each other (thumb to thumb, index finger to index finger, etc.). Focus your attention solely on these exercises and how your hands and fingers feel.
2. Beginning with your thumbs, tap them together seven times (or another number of times that is comfortable for you). Continue this practice with each set of fingers.
3. Focus on touching the pads of your fingers together each time that you tap. Work through all of your fingers until you reach your pinky.
4. Now it is time to go in the opposite direction, beginning with your pinky fingers this time.
5. Repeat this practice several times, increasing your speed each time.
This mindfulness moment may seem simple but you are helping your brain and fingers to work together, which has tremendous benefits on your mental and emotional health.
Banana Sushi
We want to share a delicious “sushi” recipe that you and your kids will love from The Many Little Joys website (check out link above by clicking on "Kid's Cuisine")!
Ingredients:
1 flour tortilla
1 banana
2-3 Tablespoons of peanut butter
Nutella (as little or as much as you’d like)
The rest of this recipe is quite simple:
Spread the peanut butter and Nutella onto the flour tortilla
Lay the banana on top of the PB and Nutella tortilla (a little distance from an edge)
Roll that tortilla over the banana as tightly as you can (like a Sushi California Roll); once rolled tightly, slice and enjoy!!
Bubble Art
Here is a craft idea from Broogly (click on "Craft Corner" for link) that uses some of those bubbles in the Easter baskets, as well as, paint!
What you Need:
Bubble Mix
Bubble Wand
Food Coloring
Paper
Mix food coloring of your choice into about a 1 tbsp of bubble mix. Blow your colored bubbles onto the paper and voila!!!
What Can I Say to My Kids About Coronavirus?
Sometimes we feel that words fail us. As parents, we are called to explain the death of a pet or loved one, natural disasters, and other difficult times. Today, we are asked to explain why the world has slowed down and why our children are not going back to school. We wanted to provide a resource to you all that may be able to help in this process. Remember, our Parent Power isn’t dependent on knowing everything. Our Parent Power is activated in the quiet moments when we build relationships with our children. This online book is a great way to start! Click on "Parent Power" above the book cover page for this free resource!