Another post, another change -- this time, in-person learning! While this is a very exciting time for many of us, so much change still causes unsteadiness and unpredictability, which, in turn, can make it hard to manage even the smallest of things. To that end, I wanted to pass along some recent articles to review that might help the return to school process go a bit more smoothly.

Now that the holiday spirit and festivities are behind us, the reality of the pandemic and all the challenges caused by it are now at the forefront of all of our minds once again. Additionally, the transition back into school mode after a vacation is typically a challenge for students. With a pandemic, this transition is even harder, and might last longer than usual.  Dr. K shares some articles and posts that might be worthwhile for you and your family to try to help make current life circumstances a little easier to manage. Click "Read More" for details.

With Thanksgiving next week and the rest of the holiday season just around the corner, I wanted to re-share this article by the Child Mind Institute, which Mrs. Wolke included in her letter last week: Holidays During the Pandemic: Tips for reducing stress, helping kids cope, and making new traditions. This article underscores important considerations when it comes to planning for this different and unique pandemic holiday season. I hope you'll take a few minutes to read through this short article and begin the holiday prep that works best for you and your family.
 

Hi, everyone! I wanted to share with you this New York Times article Mrs. Wolke recently sent my way: How to Help Kids Open Up About Anything. Sometimes, even with the best intentions, our efforts to get children to open up to us can sometimes have the reverse effect and cause them to clam up or shut down. With the pandemic, virtual learning, and the election, it's more important than ever to create an open and safe space for your child to share what's on their mind. This article by Shanicia Boswell provides some tips to create a safe and supportive environment in which your child can become more inclined to open about anything, good or bad. 

This may come as a surprise, but we’re almost two months into school! And, wow, so much has changed. With change can come a mix of emotions, as well as disagreements and conflict. None of that can be fun. So, I wanted to share a video of me guiding you (and your child) through a loving-kindness reflection that can be a helpful tool to cope with all of the ups and downs.