
Hand in Hand
Empower parents to help guide their child through tough times.
In this workshop, you’ll remind families that they are the “helping hands” who can help children through difficult times. Give each parent a copy of the printable.
- Encourage parents to think about all they do with their hands every day, especially things that involve their child. Remind them, “You pat their backs and squeeze their cheeks. You button and snap their clothes. You hold hands crossing the street to keep your child safe from danger. You clap your hands to encourage her or celebrate her accomplishments.”
- Tell parents that now they’ll use their hands to remember the most important points of helping children through troubling times: “We often use our hands to count on our fingers. In this case, we can count five specific things to remember as we help our children cope during chaotic or stressful times.”
- Distribute pencils and paper (one sheet per parent). Have parents trace their hands on the paper and encourage them to write one of the following words (below) on each finger and think about its meaning, then discuss each.
Guide the conversation to include the descriptions below
Helping Hands: Remembering we’re not alone, there are always helpers
Hugs: Feeling safe and secure, comforted and reassured
Hearts: Appreciating the power of kindness and compassion, showing empathy
Hear: Talking, listening, communicating
Here: Keeping familiar routines and being present
- Ask parents to describe what each strategy might look like in action, in real life. Put special emphasis on “Hear”, and how to answer children’s questions such as “What happened?” and “Will this happen again?”. Have parents brainstorm answers to the questions. Then emphasize that while it’s okay to say they don’t know, it’s also important to have answers ready.
- You might conclude by discussing ways parents can apply these 5 H’s to take care of themselves during troubling times, as well, so that they can take better care of children.

Listen, Feel, and See with Elmo
When children are in the hospital, this mindfulness game can help them soothe themselves.

Using Your Words
A coloring page helping children explore words for big feelings.

Safe & Together
When families have to leave home in order to stay safe, it helps to remember that home is where the love is.

Bubble Time
A quiet activity such as blowing bubbles can help both children and adults breathe deeply, slow down… and calm down.

Cookie Monster’s Beach Day
When children are in the hospital, their imagination can become a valuable tool in soothing themselves.

Monster Meltdown
Meltdowns happen… but they are somewhat predictable! As you try to handle them, curiosity and patience go a long way.

Toddler Tips: Meltdowns
Strategies for during and after a meltdown…and even some ways meltdowns might be avoided.