Helping Kids Stay Connected
Help parents to encourage their child to connect with a family member in prison.
- Watch this video together with parents. Ask, “How does Nylo remind you of your own child?”
- Ask parents to describe how Nylo communicates with his mom (he writes letters and keeps him mom’s letters in a special box). Provide shoeboxes or other small boxes and invite parents to decorate them and give them to their child, so they can do what Nylo does.
- Have parents describe the routines that Nylo shares with his father (going fishing, talking about his feelings, playing basketball). What routines do parents share with their kids, and what routines might they begin to share? List them on chart paper.
- Have participants list other ways in which kids can connect with a parent in prison, and record them on chart paper, too. Some parents may have developed very creative and interesting ways! Ask about their experience with each method, and have them share advice they’d give to the others in the room around communication.
Little Children, Big Feelings
Use these strategies to help a child open up about their feelings.
Something to Count On
Caring adults and predictable daily activities will help a child feel safe.
Staying Connected
Learn great ways to help keep an incarcerated parent connected to their child.
Ask Me Anything
Telling children the truth goes a long way toward building trust and healing.
In My Family
This read-aloud story shows how a child may feel when a parent misses a special event.
ArtMaker: Draw It Out! Incarceration
Help a child express themselves through drawing activities.
Coping With Incarceration
An overview of strategies adults can use to help kids understand incarceration and the changes it brings.
