Keeping Our Foresters Safe
Supporting Students During the Coronavirus Outbreak
Resources for You & Your Family...
As a result of our school district closing for at least a week in response to the coronavirus, we are providing resources to families in hopes that they might help with coping with time off from school and potential health concerns that may arise. This electronic flyer has links to articles, flyers, and other materials which address strategies for discussing coronavirus with your child, managing mental health, and other related information and resources. We hope these can be helpful for facilitating conversations within your family during this time off from school.
How to Talk to Kids About the Coronavirus
Image Reference: Counselor Keri, http://counselorkeri.com
Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus
News of the coronavirus is everywhere. Many parents are wondering how to bring up the epidemic in a way that will be reassuring & not make kids more worried than they already may be. Click here for advice.
Coronavirus - BrainPOP
It can be scary to hear about a disease outbreak, but learning the facts can help ease your mind. Find out more about how viruses work and the best ways to prevent them from infecting more people.
Image Reference: Najwa Tatby, @NTatby
Apps to Help with Anxiety*
Although technology can sometimes carry a negative connotation and even impact with regard to anxiety, there can be real value in some of the tools it offers, especially for students. Many people, including students, suffer from anxiety and therefore, I wanted to share with you 3 free apps parents and teachers can use (and some older aged students). These tools are NOT to replace therapy, but they can be a great additional tool for students to use. Each of the apps are available for free download on Google Play and in the App Store.
Woebot
Woebot is an app that gives you the opportunity to talk through and process some of your feelings of anxiety and depression. The woebot, a computer coach, uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) practices to walk people through calming exercises, and can give them someone to talk to. Woebot can also check in on you daily to see how you are doing and give you support. This is a great app to recommend for parents to help their children, and actually has been supported by research.
Sanvello
Sanvello is also an app that has roots in CBT and is designed to support people with anxiety. It includes guided meditations, a daily mood tracker, and other activities and videos. It can be set to alert you daily so that you can check in and work through any anxiety you might be feeling. This is a great app to recommend for parents to help their children.
Breathe2Relax
This simple app is perfect for helping people practice deep breathing. It includes visuals that you can follow as you breathe. It also can be customized to the breathing pattern that you would like. The calming voices and imagery make this app perfect to use when working with students who are feeling upset or anxious.
Reference: Counselor Chelsey, https://www.counselorchelsey.com/
Woebot
Woebot is an app that gives you the opportunity to talk through and process some of your feelings of anxiety and depression. The woebot, a computer coach, uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) practices to walk people through calming exercises, and can give them someone to talk to. Woebot can also check in on you daily to see how you are doing and give you support. This is a great app to recommend for parents to help their children, and actually has been supported by research.
Sanvello
Sanvello is also an app that has roots in CBT and is designed to support people with anxiety. It includes guided meditations, a daily mood tracker, and other activities and videos. It can be set to alert you daily so that you can check in and work through any anxiety you might be feeling. This is a great app to recommend for parents to help their children.
Breathe2Relax
This simple app is perfect for helping people practice deep breathing. It includes visuals that you can follow as you breathe. It also can be customized to the breathing pattern that you would like. The calming voices and imagery make this app perfect to use when working with students who are feeling upset or anxious.
Reference: Counselor Chelsey, https://www.counselorchelsey.com/
Mrs. Valonis, MS, NCC
Forest City Regional Elementary School Counselor (PK-6)
Email: lvalonis@fcrsd.org
Website: https://fcrescounseling.weebly.com/
Location: 100 Susquehanna Street, Forest City, PA, USA
Phone: (570) 785-2416