The Blog of Boston Children's Museum
The violent assault on our nation’s capital on January 6th has shocked and angered us and has left us with so many questions. In times like these, young children look to us for guidance and to help them understand such troubling events. It can be daunting to talk with your young children about civil unrest, racial injustice, and violence, but you don’t have to go it alone.
Museum President and CEO Carole Charnow and Children’s Services of Roxbury President and CEO Sandra M. McCroom offer support to parents and caregivers searching for a way to speak with their children about racism in response to the brutal death of George Floyd.
As the Health and Wellness Educator, I’ve been part of many conversations about how to best support children’s mental health during this difficult time. Parents, caregivers, and even educators are desperate for tips to meet the social and emotional needs of their children, who are missing their friends, teachers, extended families, and everyday freedoms. I’d like to provide an objective view on some of the tips and resources so many organizations have been sharing to help support children’s well-being during the pandemic.
Guest blog by Sonya Kurzweil, Ph.D | sonya@skdc.org
Today’s parents recognize that childhood is an emotionally sensitive time. And they are very stressed by how to explain to kids what is going on now and what needs to be done. Here are some ideas on how to explain to kids what is going on and what they need to know about social distancing, as well as how to keep your family healthy and connected.
I was so pleased to sit down with Sherry Turkle’s thought-provoking new book, “Reclaiming Conversation.” Through her research, Turkle, an author, professor, and member of Boston Children’s Museum’s advisory board, explores in the book how quick “sips” of conversation— texts, emails, Tweets, posts, etc.—are replacing meaningful conversations, and the negative effects of this shift are becoming more and more evident. I was particularly struck by the consequences the decline in conversation is having on children.
The Power of Play 