Let’s Help: A Guide for Grown-Ups Helping Children Through the Toughest Times
An activity guide for volunteers and staff supporting children through crisis.
As a caring grown-up working with children in an extremely challenging situation, your reassuring presence is so important.
So much of helping children in immediate crisis is about creating a safe and comforting space (as much as possible). Play is something all children do naturally, and it’s necessary for their overall wellness as they cope with the toughest times.
In this guide you’ll find activities to do with children, ways to comfort and reassure them, strategies for making the most of your time together, and important tips on taking care of yourself. You can help children move, make music, and keep learning.
You can print the entire guide, or just pages with activities you want to try or with the information you need. Most activities require no supplies at all, and you can use them in any way that suits your needs.
Creating Feelings of Strength and Confidence
A focused movement activity that builds confidence and a sense of groundedness.
Abby's Broken Wand
A storybook featuring strategies to help children cope with big feelings.
Slow Down & Settle Down
Parents and children can share ways they calm and soothe themselves. This video provides more self-care ideas.
Learning How to Count, Breathe, Relax
Small things can set kids off, but you can teach them a self-soothing breathing exercise to use on their own.
Feeling Safe
In order for healing to begin, it’s critical that kids feel protected and safe.
It’s Not Easy Being Green
A song about being ourselves.
Helping Children Make Meaning After Trauma with Chandra Ghosh Ippen
Learn how young children experience trauma and what can help with Sesame Workshop’s Tara Wright, and clinical psychologist and author Chandra Ghosh Ippen.
