Jensen Counseling Newsletter
School counselors: Claribel Lerma and Carmen Rodriguez
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Thank you,
Jensen Counselors
Estimados Padres/Guardianes
Gracias,
Consejeras de Jensen
Resources for parents explaining COVID-19
When talking to kids about COVID-19, it's important to remind them of two essential character traits; hope and trust. Remind them to have trust that nurses, doctors, and scientists are doing their very best to care for and treat the people who are sick.
Lastly, remind kids that we all have many different feelings, we use our emotions to help us make sense of what is happening around us. It is okay to feel angry, sad, or confused. No matter what kids are feeling, encourage them to talk about those feelings with an adult.
Below you will find a few resources to help your children understand what is currently happening. We highly recommend the read aloud "The Yucky Bug" by Julia Cook. It does a great job of explaining to children our current situation.
Recursos para padres que explican COVID-19
Al hablar con los niños sobre COVID-19, es importante recordarles dos cualidades de carácter esenciales; esperanza y confianza. Recuérdeles que confíen en que las enfermeras, los médicos y los científicos están haciendo todo lo posible para cuidar y tratar a las personas enfermas.
Por último, recuérdeles a los niños que todos tenemos muchos sentimientos diferentes, utilizamos nuestras emociones para ayudarnos a dar sentido a lo que sucede a nuestro alrededor. Está bien sentirse enojado, triste o confusos. No importa lo que sientan los niños, anímelos a hablar sobre esos sentimientos con un adulto.
Adjunto encontrará algunos recursos para ayudar a sus hijos a comprender lo que está sucediendo actualmente. Recomendamos leer el libro "The Yucky Bug" de Julia Cook. Hace un gran trabajo al explicar a los niños nuestra situación actual.
5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Exercise
- 5 things you can see
- 4 things you can hear
- 3 things you can touch
- 2 things you can smell
- 1 thing you can taste
Mind Yeti Mindfulness for kids
How to use Mind Yeti:
1. Select a video with your child.
2. Have your child follow along to the directions given to complete the mindfulness activity.
HOPE Peer Support Warmline
We want to also remind students and families that are experiencing difficult times through our current situation that they can find emotional support through resources on our website, including Safeschool helpline, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, as well as, the HOPE Peer Support Warmline.
The HOPE Family Health Center has created the HOPE Peer Support Warmline. It is an alternative for someone who is looking for emotional support. Here you can be listened to with compassion, empathy, hope and understanding. You can connect and feel validated with someone with similar life experiences. Their mission is to use lived experience to promote wellness and recovery in the RGV. It is available to anyone 16 and older. Parents may call for guidance. It is a free resource available in English and Spanish.
The Warmline is a toll free, non crisis line. The Warmline staff can also provide community resources and are open during the hours other resources may not be available.”
The Warmline contact number is 844-755-4673 (HOPE)
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 4:00 pm- 10:00 pm
Individuals answering the phone are Certified Peer Support Specialist. All phone calls are confidential.