The Blog of Boston Children's Museum
The end of the school year is upon us. We made it through. Or did we? Usually this time of year we’re looking forward to summer fun: days for slowing down, get togethers with friends and family, camp adventures, time off, the general vacation daze ahead. But while businesses begin to reopen and life slowly returns to some semblance of “normal,” as a working parent, normal still feels a long way off.
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.
There’s no doubt that these are trying times. For many of us, including me, our patience and faith are being tested and our resilience is wearing thin. I’m fortunate to have a job and be able to work from home. As the Director of Community Engagement for Boston Children’s Museum, I’ve been trying to maintain contact with my community – the nonprofits that work with families daily, the school system, and the families who are also struggling during this time. Here is what I have learned from them about how they are coping during this crisis.
When you’re working from home with kids, it’s hard to separate work life and family life. I entered into this new social construct with all the optimism I could muster, for which I blame my midwestern roots. I give myself a gold star for having a mindful approach to this new unknown. My daughter and I made a schedule and brainstormed activity ideas, but unfortunately, the reality isn’t matching up to our initial sunny outlook. If you, too, are working remotely with your kids as your new coworkers, maybe you can relate.
As the Senior Director of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) at Boston Children’s Museum, I often find myself looking for the STEAM connections in any given situation, and these connections abound within our current global health crisis. Amid the sobering statistics and updates, there are some brilliant glimmers of hope. Here are my thoughts on some of the silver linings that this time may have on the future of STEAM education.
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.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone is trying to work through uncertainties. We know that parents and caregivers are trying hard to fill their children’s learning needs while balancing their own work and the needs of their families. Here are some tips to help support all children in developing a sense of routine, control, and normalcy during this difficult time.
Given the public health crisis we are facing as a country right now due to the spread of COVID-19, we understand that many families are choosing to stay in and play at home. We want to help make your experience fun and memorable, so we’re sharing 100 of our favorite ideas on fun play activities you can easily do from the comfort of home. See how many of our 100 Ways to Play you can try, and share your experience with us on Twitter using #BostonChildrensMuseum!
The Power of Play 