Firstly, I want to send you a big virtual hug to families within Australia and overseas. My special thoughts go to those who are feeling overwhelmed, have lost their income or have family or friends whose health is fragile.

I want to be as helpful as possible during this time. That is why each week I am going to collate a few of my TOP PICK resources for parenting (…schooling and entertaining hahaha) tween and teens. There is so many wonderful resources being prepared by professionals at this difficult time, but they are so easy to miss in our newsfeeds. I’m hoping to make them more easily accessible by bringing them to you.

If you are a teacher or professional, I think you are a LEGEND. I can’t even begin to imagine the load on so many of you.  You are welcome to share or use this blog post within your communities, without asking my permission first. It’s there to support those in your care.

These are the categories I will be covering in this week’s blog post.

• Explaining the Coronavirus
• Things to entertain
• Resources for anxious tweens, teens and parents
• Resilience boosting resources
• Free educational content
• Sensory products

EXPLAINING THE CORONAVIRUS:

• This is a great video which explains Coronavirus. It’s the best I have seen so far for tweens. click here

• Squiz Kids is a news podcast for kids. It’s tag line is News without the nasties and I think it could be really helpful for children at the moment. click here

• This is a comic explaining the Coronavirus. It’s great for those 8 and up. I LOVE IT.  click here

COMMUNICATING TO TWEENS AND TEENS: 

• PLEASE WATCH THIS! Allison Davies posted this delightful tune to sing. This is the best medicine for the soul and for primary school classrooms click here
  
• How to Talk to Children About Anything is hosted by Dr Robyn Silverman. In this episode Karen Young and Robyn talk about anxiety and how to make kids feel braver. click here
  
• Maggie Dent, one of Australia’s leading educators and speakers, has a host of wonderful resources on her website.  This is a link to some resources.  click here
  
• Two key things which will help us communicate to young people about COVID-19.

THINGS TO ENTERTAIN:

• The Stuck Inside Survival Guide from Moms of Tweens and Teens is a great little resource. You do have to have sign up to receive this, but it’s worth it.  There is some good stuff in it. more here>>>
  
• Josh Langley has been doing some fun videos for little kids on his social media page. They are light resilience messages, which I am loving. more here>>>
  
• The principals list of things to do during COVID-19 closures. click here 

• Rebecca Sparrow is preparing a list of online apps and websites that teens and tweens love to use, so I’ll send that through when she’s finished it.  If you would like to send me your suggestions, I can pass them to her. Or alternatively, you can email them to her directly. coming soon 

FOR ANXIOUS TWEENS AND TEENS: 

• Natasha Daniels have a range of excellent resources on her website to help communicate and adapt to the new normal we are currently in.  Please check out her website and her book Anxiety Sucks: A Teen Survival Guide click here
  
• These are some great children’s books which might be also suitable for tweens:
  Hey Warrior by Karen YoungHow Big Are Your Worries Little Bear?  by Jayneen Sanders
  The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
  Chester the Brave by Audrey Penn
  Eddie Frogbert by Sue Degennaro
  Don’t Think About Purple Elephants by Susan Whelan
  Jack’s Worry by Sam Zuppardi
  The Unforgettable What’s His Name by Paul Jennings (chapter book)
  The Big Bag of Worries by Virginia Ironside

• Smiling Mind a not-for-profit web and app-based free meditation program whose goal is to have mindfulness on the Australian Curriculum by 2020. Maggie is an ambassador for Smiling Mind and encourages everyone to download their app to have access to their meditation tracks. click here
  
• OT Deb Hopper’s book, Teaching Kids to Manage Anxiety: Superstar Practical Strategies (This is simply the best, most comprehensive and practical book). click here
  
• The University of Queensland has developed The Brave Program – a free, interactive online program to help children and teens cope with worries and anxiety. They have programs for parents too. click here

RESILIENCE BOOSTING RESOURCES:

• My favourite magazine for teens is Teen Breathe click here 
  
• Roc and Rise is written by Claire Eaton, and is a resilience style handbook for teens. click here
  
• The Everyday Resilience Journal is for tweens aged 8 – 12 years old is filled with 28 strategies to help support young people’s resilience. click here
  
• The Everyday Resilience Video Series is a collation of ten animated videos to help boost confidence and social skills. Great viewing for tweens who are indoors. (50% discount) click here

FREE EDUCATIONAL CONTENT:  

• If you have children at home this is an extensive list of free online educational resources. This list was compiled by home educators and shared by Jean Parnell. If you have a child who loves to learn these will keep them entertained for hours!  Click here

SENSORY PRODUCTS:

• I always recommend Owen from Sensory Connect. His online store has a wonderful range of toys and products. click here

Take care everyone. Love each other lots and stay #inthistogether

PLEASE DON’T BE SHY. EMAIL ME IF:

• You find something of value for parents and professionals working with 8+.
• You are looking for resources in a specific area.
• You have a question, comment or just need to touch base with someone. xx