Sharing Feelings as a Family
Watch families share their feelings to begin healing together.
- Watch the video together and listen as Elmo and other children share their feelings and talk about how they express them. Let children know that that all feelings are okay and that there are many ways to express their feelings.
- Play a game of “feeling charades” to help kids label emotions, as well as let them explore how others might act when they feel that way. Begin by acting out a feeling and asking children to guess which one it is. (For instance, if you’re frustrated, you might cross your arms and furrow your brow. If you’re excited, you might jump up and down and clap your hands.)
- Let everyone have a turn acting out a feeling, such as angry, excited, sad, happy, frustrated, worried, lonely, jealous, or proud.
When Kids Need Special-Special Comfort
In the midst of big changes, comfort items such as small stuffed animals and blankets can provide a sense of continuity in a child’s life.
Remembering
For children and adults, it’s important to celebrate the lives of our loved ones who have died.
Grief and Change Caused by COVID-19
It’s okay to have feelings of grief when we experience changes big and small.
Helping Children Through Grief Related To COVID-19
There are ways to help families talk about death, express their feelings, and grieve together.
Open Ended Art
Doing open-ended art activities together helps adults and children relax and connect.
Showing and Sharing Feelings
Naming a big feeling can help children begin to understand it, and later regulate it.
Coloring to Calm Down
Coloring can help both children and grown-ups feel more calm and grounded.
