“The best investment is in the tools of one’s own trade.” Benjamin Franklin
With Love offers support to foster families in so many ways. In addition to all the material items, With Love also creates memorable and beneficial educational experiences.
On May 6, With Love hosted a virtual roundtable addressing the concept of SEL, which stands for Social and Emotional Education. It’s the process in which children learn to recognize and manage their emotions, develop sympathy and care for others and make responsible, healthy decisions and relationships.
Several knowledgeable women coming from different viewpoints and roles shared their experiences and expertise as it relates to SEL and the development in children.
Nicole Larson, a LCSW, MSW at Hope and Harbor counseling started off the hour with some professional input discussing the effects of trauma and secondary trauma. Children in foster care often come from situations that are emotionally stressful. This can cause behaviors that can also burden the caregiver. Addressing the emotional drain and fatigue that comes with being a foster parent, Nicole identified signs of trauma as well as reasons for secondary trauma. Secondary trauma is the emotional distress triggered by anothers’ traumatic experience. Her expertise provided professional insight and self care education.
Next, mom and author Whitney Antis discussed her new childrens’ book, What Did you Do Today? With lively illustrations and quizzical discussion prompts, her book encourages parents and kids to delve into the world of self- discovery. Her book helps kids identify their emotions and the sensations in the world around them.
We then heard from Stephanie Johnson, an occupational therapist specializing in sensory support for children. She explained the two types of sensory sensitive kids: those who seek out extreme sensory experiences and those who avoid them. She included tips and activities when engaging with both sides of the sensory spectrum. She also discussed what was in the goodie bag full of various materials, that foster parents had picked up earlier from With Love, that can aide children with sensory sensitivities. Some of these materials included sound reducing headphones, fidget toys, bean bags, slimy sand and water beads.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
And finally, we heard from foster parent (and recent adoptive parent) Rachell Bedroth. She provided parents with practical ideas on how to advocate sensory development for various age groups. She also included some fun games to enhance sensory development. Kinetic sand and gelatin are two great sensory materials. Rachel naturally implements activities and discussion into the lives of her children, and she has a real passion to help parents do the same.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
All the foster parents were given bags of the various materials addressed during the discussion. There was also a time for Q/A.
This evening was yet another great example of With Love coming along side foster families and being an advocate and ally. Well done With Love!
(If you want to view the event you can click here.)
