Cultivate… KNOWLEDGE on Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 and Mental Health

COVID-19 has and continues to affect us on a daily basis and in various ways, including our mental health. Most of our children may not have experienced the serious physical effects of the disease itself, however, their emotional and behavioral development has been greatly impacted since the beginning of the pandemic. So what are the…

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Cultivate…HABITS around Oral Health related to Mental Health

It’s rarely talked about, but there is a relationship between oral health and mental health. People experiencing mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and even prolonged stress suffer oral health problems at higher rates than the rest of the population. These oral health problems can include erosion, tooth decay, periodontitis, and loss of teeth.…

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Cultivate…HOPE with Grover!

In this charming interview with Grover from Sesame Street, Grover explains his coping skills for COVID-19. Some kids may be asking “when will the pandemic be over?”. Experts recommend honesty about the uncertainty of this time, but also making a list of things your child does have control over. Teaching kids to focus on what…

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Cultivate…KNOWLEDGE about Helping Children Deal with Media Coverage of Community Problems

The Disaster Media Intervention (DMI) Toolkit can help parents or teachers discuss media coverage of traumatic events including racial injustice and police violence, pandemics, natural disasters, shootings, and more. There are three primary goals for discussion with young people: Encourage Dialogue: Encourage students to talk about their feelings and concerns with a trusted adult. Establish a…

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Cultivate…HABITS around Screen Time

Cultivating good habits around screen time is important to child development. In fact, “the more screen time [children] logged, the lower their skills in language, literacy, imagery, and self-regulation. This was even found on a structural level – the white matter tracts within the brain were affected.” (source:https://www.forbes.com/sites/fernandezelizabeth/2019/12/12/screen-time-habits-start-at-a-young-age/#7ca3d7f92471) Still, this is a guilt-free zone, and right now…

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