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Parenting Guides

Presented by Healthier Urban Families program, created by Beverly Weathington, LMSW

Celebrations During Social Distancing

Bedtime Challenges
Self Care for Parents 

by Beverly Weathington, LMSW

Indoor Family Fun

by Beverly Weathington, LMSW

Routines and Schedules

by Beverly Weathington, LMSW

The 5-a-Day Parenting Program is a resource available to you through the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute for Child and Family Development! The program focuses on building children's school readiness.  It can all be done on a Smartphone.
Here is how it works: HERE

ALL young children sometimes exhibit challenging behavior.  Some children are more challenging than others. These children might have "strong wills" and need special parenting techniques to help promote their best behavior. During times of stress and change, children are more likely to be challenging by, for instance, whining, throwing tantrums, hitting, or not listening when we need them to do something. 

YouTube Video Library - - presented by Parenting Young Children-Check-up

The following videos teach strategies that parents can use to promote their children's best behavior and reduce challenging behavior. Think of these strategies in two ways: preventing challenging behavior and responding to challenging behavior. Put as much "preventing" in place as possible before moving into "responding." Like the old saying goes, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." 

Please direct questions to Lucy.K.McGoron@wayne.edu

Using Labeled Praise: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_b9xbLs3x8 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of8O3j-I6fc&t=8s 

Special Playtime: 
https://www.yotube.com/watch?v=xn0KFH73Lh0&t=87s 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJVMk4NCUE4

Effective Commands: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwfr8JftMeM&t=28s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISJ6TgNO0z0&t=27s

Family Rules:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh7ogSO8UC0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HifW5ZOZQdw&t=3s

Routines: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZNnRwG7TIc

Basic Needs for Metro Detroit Families

• 211 (call 211 or go to https://www.mi211.org/) is run by United Way of Southeast Michigan and can connect families with a variety of resources (housing, financial support, food etc)  
• Find a food pickup site for your school https://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/schoolnutrition/
• Apply for unemployment benefits https://www.michigan.gov/leo/0,5863,7-336-78421_97241---,00.html
• Apply for assistance for health care, food, and other needs https://newmibridges.michigan.gov/s/isd-landing-page?language=en_US

Fun & Educational Online Activities for Children 

• Michigan Science Center is doing science lessons each weekday at 2:30 (streaming through Facebook Live): https://www.facebook.com/MI.Science.Center
• The Detroit Zoo is hosting "Virtual Animal Z" through there facebook page https://www.facebook.com/detroitzoo/
• The Cincinnati Zoo is doing "Online Safaris" each weekday at 3:00 through their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cincinnatizoo/. You can also see fun related activities and their videos through http://cincinnatizoo.org/home-safari-resources/
• Mo Wiliams (author of Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and many other books) has created YouTube videos to teach drawing (called "Lunch Doodles"): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmzjCPQv3y8&fbclid=IwAR3f4zjsVCO7dT2ERWpPf-YhytFcjGwXHTaj7vD6-uujsog2bpFvCcy9_uI
• The Toledo Zoo is present a different exhibit everyday through Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheToledoZoo/
• Scholastic is offering free online learning modules: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/scholastic-creates-free-open-access-digital-hub-to-help-keep-students-learning-while-schools-are-disrupted-by-coronavirus-301023010.html
• Skype a Scientist allows children to meet with real scientists and ask them questions: https://www.skypeascientist.com/for-families.html?fbclid=IwAR3iTd4cZUkoR4rnN5166wYzb4S1a6wXIkBQNVs3l1a4jjGcHC8bZX4HNYM
• The Dad Lab is a Facebook page with lots of fun science activities: https://www.facebook.com/thedadlab/
• The Story Pirates will host a daily radio show with songs, jokes etc; Parents can also submit stories written by children. https://redtri.com/story-pirates-entertainment-ideas-kids/?fbclid=IwAR2wqk2JZYdcz8q9EqTxzJyEuc3W8GZlMT3nANmqwsQgQnTgV7YeJzFlQsM
• Outschool has online classes for children covering a range of topics (some are fee based): https://outschool.com/#abk7xdiikk
• Museums doing virtual tours: https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours
• PBS Kids has a daily newsletter now with activities for kids: https://www.pbs.org/parents
• Ranger Rick Magazine is doing a free digital subscription: https://rangerrick.org/freedigital/
• Scholastic has lots of online resources: https://www.scholastic.com/parents/kids-activities-and-printables/activities-and-printables-guides/free-printables-for-all-ages.html
• Go Noodle (fun music and movement activities to break up the day; there are also so relaxation and calming focused videos) has a free version that can do used at home (lots of kids do this in school, so having it at home would be some nice continuity): https://www.gonoodle.com/
• Cosmic Kids Yoga https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga
• PBS Kids fun & free educational Apps for preschoolers: https://www.dptv.org/education/talking-to-your-kids-about-coronavirus/
• Mini Picassos hosts free, live crafts for children most weekdays at 1:00 through Facebook     https://www.facebook.com/minipicassosGP/
• Many places offer free online programs: https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/135609/list-of-education-companies-offering-free-subscriptions/?fbclid=IwAR0wbINNR7fngA6p9zdmGW4GocgxkCdcKzrY5YXLFxdrBMPXJWy4mGss_BE

Talking to Young Children about Coronavirus and Hygiene 

• Talking to preschoolers about coronavirus from PBS Kids https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-coronavirus
• PBS Kids Detroit Talking to your Kids about Coronovirus (Plus Resources for Kids)  https://www.dptv.org/education/talking-to-your-kids-about-coronavirus/
• Encouraging handwashing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiWnA30gLZk

Reading List for Parents

• Suggestions from the American Academy of Pediatrics about screen time: https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/AAP-Finding-Ways-to-Keep-Children-Occupied-During-These-Challenging-Times-.aspx
• Play ideas from Melissa and Doug: https://www.melissaanddoug.com/blogpost/?postId=our-best-play-ideas-for-when-kids-are-stuck-at-home
• Reducing Stress during Coronavirus: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/help-your-family-de-stress-during-coronavirus-uncertainty