ACNJ hosted a ZOOM discussion on April 23 with NJ Department of Children and Families and Prevent Child Abuse NJ on child abuse and neglect in New Jersey, how COVID-19 has affected it, and how you can help prevent a tragedy by joining the #WeCan campaign.

From Trauma Informed Parent: This video presents Steve Gross, a clinical social worker and pioneer in the field of using playful engagement and relationships to overcome the devastating impact of early childhood trauma. He is the founder and Chief Playmaker of Life is Good Playmakers; a foundation that works to “harness the power of optimism to create healing, life-changing relationships for kids in need.”

Whether you are a parent, teacher, or another important adult, your child looks to you to figure out how to navigate the world.  Zero To Thrive is committed to helping families and professionals through the COVID-19 crisis with information and resources, including this video from Michigan Medicine to advocate for balanced caregiving or responses to children that are warm and kind and strong and in charge.

The National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) website offers resources to support families in helping young children cope with the challenges related to the Pandemic, including handouts, scripted stories, infographics, and a webinar. This website will be updated as more resources are obtained.

Supporting Families and Caregivers of Infants and Young Children Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic: a webinar presented by Gerard Costa, Ph.D. & Joy D. Osofsky, Ph.D.

Drs. Joy Osofsky and Gerard Costa addressed the impact of the changes in our world and personal lives brought about by COVID-19. Special attention was given to the ways in which infants, toddlers, and preschoolers are affected when their usual routines are disrupted and their ability to manage stress and stay regulated are compromised. These changes were described through developmental and relationship-based perspectives, highlighting the critical importance of establishing new routines to support co-regulating, attuned, and responsive relationships. Insights from the brain sciences were described to better understand the ways in which infants, children, and adults may react around the fearful climate of COVID-19. Strategies for speaking with, supporting, and playing with infants and young children were presented.  Importantly, the need for self-care of the adults in the lives of the children was addressed.

In the first episode of this special series on COVID-19, Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child, Dr. Jack Shonkoff,  discusses how to support healthy child development during a pandemic, including the importance of caring for caregivers.

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation programs are not operating “normally” right now. Everyone needs to pivot to meet the needs of communities and partners. The Center for Excellence for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation wants mental health consultants and consultation programs to be utilized and recognized as the incredible resources they are.  Access those resources HERE.

Even during this uncertain time, it’s a sure thing that our children are still learning, growing, and developing. But, supporting a child’s healthy development can be simple and free! (And, it may even help relieve your stress.) Here are four steps to focus on right now.

Click HERE for the full infographic which explains the basics of what COVID-19 is, and what it can mean for stress levels in both children and the adults who care for them. It also offers some easy and concrete solutions to help caregivers ensure that both they and the children they care for don’t experience long-term effects of stress.