A Virtual Learning Series from Military Child Education Coalition®

Thank you for joining us for Session 6: Creating Confidence in the Midst of Unknown

• On the following pages, you’ll find the resources that were shared in this session.

• Should you have any questions, please feel free to email us at pd@militarychild.org.

• Please make sure you’ve completed a lesson assessment for each of the six sessions. You can print a Certificate of Attendance for each: https://virtuallearning.questionpro.com

Session 6

Creating Confidence in the Midst of Unknown

With changes occurring due to COVID-19, children are especially susceptible

to confusion and fear. Building confidence can seem a daunting task, but

educators can help alleviate worry and build resilience by implementing a

hopeful and positive approach to future planning. Don’t miss this

opportunity to learn powerful ways to build and exemplify resilience while

cultivating confidence in a rapidly changing environment.

Problem Solving RecipeResources

Articles, References, and Activities

State Department of Education/Public Instruction Closureshttps://www.mic3.net/assets/school-closure-information_20200327_final.pdf

Free Printables:https://biglifejournal.com/blogs/blog/child-confidencehttps://www.weareteachers.com/free-printable-of-the-week-my-self-esteem/

Activities:https://www.centervention.com/identifying-and-coping-with-anxiety-lesson/https://www.centervention.com/calming-activity-deep-breathing/

How to Teach Social Emotional Learning When School is Outhttps://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2020/03/30/how-to-teach-social-emotional-learning-when-students.html

For teens, loss of significant events like graduation, prom, senior week, summer jobs, transition to college, getting a driver's license, church events, camps) https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2020/03/30/the-lost-senior-year-credits-proms-sports.html

Problem Solving RecipeResources

References from this Session

Dr. Angela Duckworth (Grit)https://angeladuckworth.com/https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/peaceful-parents-happy-kids/201506/12-ways-raise-competent-confident-child-grit

• Curiosity - Character Labhttps://characterlab.org/playbooks/curiosity/

• Creativity - Character Labhttps://characterlab.org/playbooks/creativity

Dr. Carol Dweck (Growth Mindset)https://www.mindsetworks.com/science/

Dr. Ken Ginsberg (Fostering Resilience and the 7Cs)http://fosteringresilience.com/about.php

Dr. Shane LopezMaking Hope Happen: Create the Future You Want for Yourself and Others, Simon-Schuster, New York, 2013.

Core Beliefs of Hopeful People

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MCEC Stock Photo

Making Hope HappenShane Lopez

Online Journaling Apps

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https://pixabay.com/photos/adult-diary-journal-notebook-book-1850177/

Five Minute Journal

Grid Diary

Day One

Diarium

Journey

https://characterlab.org/playbooks/curiosity/

• Graduation and socializing

• Birthday parties aren't happening

• Reunification with deployed parents being postponed

• Friends

• Social relationships, clubs

• Field trips

• 5th graders are missing the middle school registration process and the whole transition to middle school

• Students who already have PCS orders and now they will not get to spend this time with those friends before moving.

• Senior year activities- going to amusement parks, prom, etc.

• Not seeing their friends, not being able to share their accomplishments with teachers

• My son is a Senior and very worried graduation will be cancelled

• Not being able to see their friends before moving to a new school or PCS

• Field day, field trips, socializing in person

• Drama performances

• Definitely birthday parties, going out to dinner, having friends over. Socializing...still hoping that Prom will be happening

• 8th graders are missing the 8th grade dance, etc. - some of the same as seniors but on a smaller scale

• Sports and day to day connections

• School closure extended

• Sporting events

• Unexpected deployments = parent missing days and events

• Medical parents aren't able to come home each night and many have sent their children to grandparents

• My students have emailed that they miss just being together in class

• Big 5th grade field trip which was the best one ever

• Parents who are stuck TDY or deployed

• Not seeing grandparents or older folks

• Will not be able to see babies born, my younger daughters will not get to see their niece when she is born this month...my firstgranddaughter

• Social interaction

• Being cut off from the military students I counseled with without any preparation…being an MFLC right now is a challenge!

• No internet

• High level of anxiety/ dealing with severe anxiety

• Depression - missing friend activities

• Not knowing when this will end

• Limited Internet

• Not getting the positive reinforcement in their home

• Lack of Face-to-Face reassurance from extended support systems!

• Restriction on activities outside of the home, no community connection with peers

• Parental presence, what they are modeling

• Parents who are not supportive or are not coping well

• Not being motivated

• Parents also trying to work from home

• Parents that can't help their children with their school work

• Lack of resources- food deserts, unemployment, etc.

• Instability due to parents still having to work and not having other family present to fill voids.

• Separation anxiety from family & home

• Loss of parent job

• Feeling overwhelmed with having to learn so many new ways of doing things electronically (I know I feel like that as an adult) so I can only imagine how some kids feel

• Deployed parent; spouse is on their own with the kids

• Not feeling valued or validated by teacher who may be feeling overwhelmed with new way of teaching

• Financial stresses

• Lack of communication with parents or household

• Distracted with television...Netflix......YouTube, etc.

• Not having same level of access to mental health providers. Missing therapy appointments

• Personal space and privacy to continue counseling services

• Charades and role plays

• Making dinner for their family

• Go to a trail and talk

• We have to challenge the students and provide encouragement along the way.

• I like this "Grit" motivation... " its a marathon not a sprint"

• Encourage a family game night with everyone in the family

• When on walks, asking what you think body language of other families is saying

• Encouraging taking risks-small at first but then increasing as confidence increases

• Count money in their piggy bank!

• Ways to give back to the community or elderly

• Normalizing their feelings; it's okay to have 'big' feelings, and discussing/practicing how to deal with those big

feelings when they don't have their normal outlets and also sharing our big feelings as appropriate

• Gratitude journal

• Have the kids develop a "Time Capsule" of "COVID19" time period

• I think seeing faces is really important! I've noticed a definite lift in mood after my three school-age children have

been able to see teachers and friends in Zoom meetings

• I've enjoyed talking to my students and families and getting photos and videos of the students doing school work

warms my heart!

• A family shared with me a positive of being at home for school. They are able to talk with their father, who is

deployed, more often because they are home.

https://milkidsnoweducationsurvey.questionpro.com/