![](https://sesameworkshop.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Comfort_Article_HelpingHands-560x420.jpg)
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.
![Julia and Julia's family helping the community.](https://sesameworkshop.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PSEG-Video-HelpingHomeNeighbohood-667x500.jpg)
Helping at Home, Helping the Neighborhood
Little acts can make a big difference.
![Printable Helping Caring.](https://sesameworkshop.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PSEG-Printable-HelpingCaring-ENG-667x500.jpg)
Helping and Caring
Use this checklist with children to set small goals together and help your community!
![Printable Julias Community Mural.](https://sesameworkshop.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PSEG-Printable-JuliasCommunityMural-ENG-667x500.jpg)
Julia’s Community Mural
There are so many ways to be kind, caring, and helpful in our communities!
![Little Neighbors Can Do Big Things.](https://sesameworkshop.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PSEG-Video-LittleNeighborsBigThings-667x500.jpg)
Little Neighbors Can Do Big Things
A new friend joins the Little Neighbors Club!
![Printable Playground Helpers.](https://sesameworkshop.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PSEG-Printable-PlaygroundHelpers-ENG-667x500.jpg)
Playground Helpers
Help the Twiddlebugs find their lost materials to build their playground!
![Abby and Maggie Cadabby helping the community.](https://sesameworkshop.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PSEG-Video-LittleHelpersBigHelping-667x500.jpg)
Little Helpers, Big Helping
Kids are never too little to make a big difference!
![A Grown-up and child helping out in a community garden.](https://sesameworkshop.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Webinar_LittleNeighbors-667x500.jpg)
Little Neighbors: Fostering Community Connection, Engagement, and Exploration