Resources for Parents

When trying to talk through difficult subjects with children, we can sometimes be at a loss for words. Common Sense Media has some tips for talking to kids ages 2 and up about the tough stuff.

Diversity - Talking About Race

Awareness of Your Own Biases

Take an Implicit Bias Test and become aware of your blindspots.

Read and Talk With Your Children

Here are some book lists that might be helpful in your search for literature to help you and your child(ren) have conversations about race and racism.

Tips for Talking to Your Children

These articles have information to help you with having conversations with your children that are developmentally appropriate.

Sesame Street Town Hall

"Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism, a town hall for kids and families"

Black Lives Matter Protests from Brain Pop

Watch this with a parent or grandparent and talk with them about what you learn.

Animation: Something Has Happened In Our Town, A Child's Story About Racial Injustice

Watch this with your child(ren) and use it to open conversations about race, history, and current events in an age appropriate way.

Animation: Before She Was Harriet

Another conversation starter. Talking is so important to help your child(ren) understand, feel heard, and process emotions.

Animation: The Other Side

Another animated book for you and your child(ren) to watch together.

theyre-not-too-young-1.pdf

They're Not Too Young

This PDF is from The Children's Community School, with clickable links to access more resources.

Diversity - Talking About All Topics

Check out this article for a wide array of resources:

100 Race-Conscious Things You Can Say to Your Child to Advance Racial Justice: A resource for talking about race with young children

Mental Health Resources

Mental Health/Parenting Support

The stresses of life are ever changing for all families. On this podcast, Dr. Rebecca Branstetter shares How to Press the Reset Button When Your Child Gives Up. All can benefit from these tips in the podcast, especially right now. There are also resources available at the bottom of the podcast information.

Well-Being Calendar.pdf

Well-Being Calendar

This calendar can be used with your kids starting any week of any month. Thank you to Everyday Speech for creating this helpful tool for families.

PFC Presentation: Anxiety, Sadness, Stress (August 2020)

August 2020 Presentation: How to Support Yourself and Your Children

Check this out for a variety of tools, tips, and ideas for the challenges we're facing right now.

Kimochis Materials

Kimochis_FeelingsChart_Letter.pdf

Feelings Faces

These fun faces can be used to teach emotion identification, one step towards empathy and understanding of their own and others' emotions more deeply, as well as emotional regulation.

Ways to Talk About Feelings Kimochi.pdf

Talking About Feelings

Learn about different ways to talk about feelings with your child. Ask them how they're feeling then ask if they'd like to share that angry/sad/upset story with you.

Common Sense Media

This organization provides ample resources for parents and families to navigate the world of parenting in the digital age. Scroll through their site for information you can utilize at all stages of your child's development, and that your child can utilize in their own learning.

Disabilities Awareness

Inclusion is our goal in Lafayette School District. Click this link for thoughts from The Mighty.

CA Dyslexia Guidelines.pdf

Dyslexia

This resource has an amazing amount of information regarding dyslexia.

Smart Phones

There are many factors each family considers when deciding the best time to get your child(ren) a smart phone or device. The New York Times weighs in on this conversation.

Social Media & Mental Health

Resource from the U.S. Surgeon General for parents, caregivers, and teachers.

Dr. Devorah Heitner, Author of Screenwise

Model the media use you want your children to exhibit.
Be curious - Talk to your children about what they do on social media, ask them what they like about the apps they use, what purpose do the apps serve in their lives, what role do apps serve in their friendships?
Talk to them about what might happen when you aren’t with them, if they find something inappropriate, if pressured by friends online, if asked to engage with an app they’ve agreed to not use, how to deal with interpersonal conflict online.
Think about what you need to see your child do so you know you can trust your child will be using media appropriately without intensive monitoring. Communicate that you are available in case your child runs into a situation they cannot handle.
Think about where devices should be at night. Children admit to using media late in the night.