Camas Ridge Counseling Corner
January 18-22, 2021
Supporting our Youth through News Media, Political Climate, and Challenging Topics
Our society has progressed to a 24/7 news cycle, through breaking news, social media, and access to an abundance of information at our fingertips. During these times, it is worthwhile to think about simplifying life, spending time in nature, and removing excess obligations. It is also important to acknowledge the impact this has on our youth and how we can support them through these times and topics, rather than shelter them from the information. Even when we try to limit access to news media and believe our youth do not yet understand many topics and concepts, they hear, think about, and feel more than we know. While the content of how we address these topics with our children may vary by age and development, we must validate and support them through their emotional responses and give them tools.
Common Sense Media provides fantastic information and guidance for adults on the appropriateness of media for different ages. They also provide great resources for helping children and families navigate media usage. They have provided some great tips for Teaching Kids Media Smarts during Breaking News (linked here) and provides alternate news sources that are appropriate and targeted towards youth to help provide information that is age-appropriate.
The most important part of supporting our youth during these times and topics is to provide a safe space for them to ask questions, express thoughts and feelings, and have their feelings validated without fear of judgement or shaming. As adults, we don't have to have all of the answers and we don't have to provide excess information or details, but we should be there to listen.
School Supply Pick-Up~Breathing Exercises & Feeling Check-In
Breathing Exercises
The breathing exercises going home to you include 15 different practices, all child-friendly, that prompt intentional, and deep breathing. It is helpful to practice some of these breathing exercises when in a calm and content state to determine how helpful and useful they can be, making them easier to use when more needed, such as when having bigger emotions.
You can also access digital versions of these breathing activities through my virtual classroom (linked) and HERE.
Feelings Check-In
1) To start, the child identifies how they currently feel.
2) They then select a coping strategy to try to address current emotional state.
3) After using the coping strategy, the child reflects if they are ready to return or if another coping strategy is needed.
This is helpful to walk through with your child when in a calm and content space and then have available to prompt coping strategy use.
Talking about Race and Discrimination
Talking to your child about discrimination
Embrace Race Booklist
It's Never too young to talk about Race
NAACP & African-American-Black Student Success Parent Night - 4J SD
Next event is Monday, January 25.
Timely Topic Tuesday
- Next event Tuesday, February 9 6:00-7:00:
- Topic: Mindfulness Tools & Practice
- at Timely Topic Tuesdays (zoom link) (Meeting ID: 914 4889 6490; Passcode: 496274)
Parent Groups and Events
New groups & events added January 2021!
Resources from Timely Topic Tuesday Parent Nights
Additional 4j and Community Resources
Contact & Scheduling Information
Office hours (by appointment or drop-in):
- Mondays 1:30-2:30
- Monday evenings 5:00-6:00 (by appointment)
- Fridays 1:30-2:30
Visit my Virtual Camas Counseling Office
Email: hock_j@4j.lane.edu
Website: https://sites.google.com/4j.lane.edu/camas-ridge-counseling-program/home
Location: Camas Ridge Community School, 1150 E 29th Ave, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
Phone: (541)760-6199
Prior Newsletters:
- January 11-15, 2021
- January 5-8, 2021
- December 14-18
- December 7-11~Holiday Traditions
- Nov. 30-Dec. 4~Mindfulness App
- Nov. 23-Nov. 25~Being With
- November 16-20, 2020~Grief
- November 9-13, 2020
- November 2-6, 2020
- October 28, 2020
- October 22, 2020
- October 15, 2020
- Fall 2020 (return to school)
- Summer 2020 (summer resources & anti-racism)
- May 2020 (collaborative problem solving)
- April 2020 (brain breaks & calm corners)